Seminar: Where do we go from here? Swedish research funding for collaborative research in LMICs after U-forsk

GlobeLife and SweDev warmly invite you to a seminar to discuss the consequences of the cuts in research funding for global development and how we can work to ensure that research for global development remains vibrant going forward.  The heavy reductions in funding over the last 15 months puts research for global development in a new funding landscape. Consequences of the reductions are becoming increasingly visible. The question is – where do we go from here?  

The seminar consists of two sessions with short presentations and a panel discussion, on two different themes: 1. Consequences and current situation (14:00-15.15) and 2. The future – solutions and ways forward (15.30-16.30). Preliminary findings from the SweDev survey on the impact of funding cuts will also be presented during the seminar.

Speakers

• Katarina Bjelke, Director-General of the Swedish Science Council (Vetenskapsrådet)
• Martin Hellström, Principal of Mälardalens University
• Per-Ola Mattsson, Director, Department of International Development Cooperation, Ministry for Foreign Affairs
• Raymond Ndikumana, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Strategic Planning and Administration, University of Rwanda
• Ingrid Petersson, Special Investigator for the State Inquiry into the Organization for Government Research Funding
• Stefan Swartling Peterson, Professor at Karolinska Institutet
• Olle Thorell, Member of Parliament (Social Democratic Party)

Background

In June 2023 the Swedish government decided to cut funding for  collaborative research in LMICs, commonly referred to as development research (U-forsk). This was done a few months into the review process of grant applications that had been submitted for the U-forsk funding call that year. The cut in funding has been heavily criticised, and the research community, Universities, Government agencies and funders have responded in different ways.  

The withdrawal of U-forsk was only one of several cuts in funding of research for global development. In 2023 Sida’s research budget for the coming years was reduced by over 50 percent, heavily affecting Swedish research cooperation with developing countries and international organizations such as the World Health Organization.  

Preliminary Agenda

• 14.00-15.15 Panel discussion and presentations about Consequences and current situation
• 15.30-16.30 Panel discussion and presentations about Solutions and the way forward

Participation

To join this seminar, please register here.

Location

The event will take place digitally via Zoom.