Swedish funding system holds back universities, report warns

Government urged to balance financial allocations made to research councils and higher education

The Swedish government must act urgently to increase direct funding to universities and if necessary cut funds going to research councils, according to a report from Sulf, the Swedish Association of University Teachers and Researchers.

The report, launched on 6 May, looked at the distribution of higher education and research funding since 2005, and argued that the current system puts universities at a disadvantage. With more funding going to research councils than universities, many academics face short-term contracts and heavy competition for grants, it said.