The Swedish Governmental Agency for Innovation Systems (Vinnova) recently commissioned an independent review of their “Strategic Innovation Programmes” (SIPs), whereby various government agencies are awarded substantial amounts of money for R&D from the government’s budget aimed at getting companies and scientific bodies to develop more innovations that benefit society and the economy.
What Resources are being used for SIPS in Sweden?
The total resources for Sweden’s SIP initiative will amount to some €1.5 billion over 12 years. Around half of this, is public funding while the remainder is expected to be co-funded by industry and other societal actors.
The main beneficiaries of the public funding have been R&D performers (62%), i.e. higher education institutions and research institutes, followed by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs; 13%), large companies (10%) and public authorities (6%). Large companies have dominated as co-funders (51%), followed by SMEs (22%), public authorities (10%) and R&D performers (10%).
This funding has shifted in focus from near-total orientation towards company needs in the early stages SIPs and later to the needs of the public sector gradually becoming more important in subsequent tranches.
The Review’s Recommendations
This review “Meta-evaluation of the SIP 2023” from the Technopolis Group evaluates the effectiveness of Sweden’s Strategic Innovation Programs (SIPs) in driving national innovation. While acknowledging their success in boosting technological advancements and competitiveness, the report recommends adjustments to tackle broader societal challenges.
SIPs: A Proven Strength
This review confirms SIPs as a valuable tool. They have demonstrably strengthened Sweden’s technological capacity and competitiveness by fostering collaboration and strategic goal setting.
Beyond Technology: Addressing Societal Needs
While SIPs excel in technology development, the report emphasises the need to address broader societal issues. Here’s how Vinnova proposes to achieve this:
- Socio-Technical Transitions: SIPs should consider not just technological advancements, but also the wider social and systemic changes needed for successful innovation. This could involve user adoption, infrastructure development, and policy adjustments to support the new technologies.
- Complementary Policy Instruments: SIPs should be used alongside other initiatives to create a more comprehensive innovation ecosystem. This would ensure support for all stages of research and innovation – from fundamental research to practical application and systemic change. Instruments promoting basic research and cross-disciplinary collaboration would be crucial.
A Holistic Approach to Innovation
The report underscores the need for a broader innovation strategy. SIPs, strategically integrated with other initiatives, can become even more effective drivers of progress. By fostering collaboration across disciplines, encouraging long-term thinking, and addressing societal challenges alongside technological advancements, Sweden can achieve a more holistic and impactful innovation landscape.
In essence, Vinnova recommends refining SIPs to address societal challenges and using them as part of a larger strategy encompassing the entire research and innovation spectrum.
Graphic drawing: My #sketchnotes from Peter @Siljerud’s talk on future trends
