The research and innovation bill

In the research and innovation bill Research and Innovation for the Future, Curiosity, and Benefit, the government sets out a clear ambition for Sweden to transition to an open science system. In this system, research results and data will be made as freely available as personal integrity, security, and other considerations allow. The concept of open science includes both open access to publications and open access to research data, in accordance with the FAIR principles – that data should be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.

National direction and objectives
The national objective is that publications produced with public research funding should be made immediately open access. The transition for research data is to be fully implemented by 2026. All actors within the research and innovation system are expected to work towards this goal.

FAIR principles
Research data should comply with the FAIR principles, ensuring that data are findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable.

Open publications
Scientific publications should be made available with open access to the greatest extent possible, enabling broader access to research results.

Replicability and reliability
Open science is closely linked to the importance of replicable research – that research results can be reviewed, analysed and reproduced by others. Replicability is highlighted as a central aspect of research quality, as it strengthens confidence in scientific findings.

Coordination and responsibility
The Swedish Research Council and the National Library of Sweden have mandates to coordinating efforts on open access to data and publications, respectively. Higher education institutions are expected to actively develop their internal processes to achieve the government’s objectives.