UK-Sweden Memorandum of Understanding for cooperation in research and innovation
Published 20 October 2025
© Crown copyright 2025
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Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Education and Research of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (UK) for cooperation in research and innovation.
Context
1. The Swedish Ministry of Education and Research and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology agree that excellence-based international collaboration is essential for Europe to remain a key player in the global research and innovation environment. The Strategic Partnership between Sweden and the UK has identified science and innovation as areas in which to strengthen strategic collaboration.
Purpose
2. This Memorandum of Understanding (memorandum) confirms the intention of the Swedish Ministry of Education and Research and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) (the participants) to encourage and deepen cooperation between their respective science, innovation and technology communities.
3. Building on the opportunities for collaboration under the EU’s Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation, the participants will strengthen the ties between their researchers and science communities.
4. The memorandum recalls the Strategic Partnership between the United Kingdom and Sweden and outlines the principles of the relationship and forms of cooperation; and includes annexes, which summarise overall themes for cooperation and outline specific priorities as they may be decided upon by the participants.
Principles of the relationship
5. Ensure a partnership approach by including our researchers and research funding institutions and that the memorandum benefits research communities in both countries.
6. The participants will work together to support their respective research and innovation communities in bilateral and multilateral activities that strengthen excellence, openness, academic freedom, research integrity, research security, and impact of research and innovation.
7. The participants will meet periodically to review and discuss past, current and future cooperation and address any concerns. The meetings should be comprised of representatives of the corresponding ministries. If appropriate, relevant national research bodies, partners and experts may be asked to attend individual meetings.
8. This memorandum does not constitute an international agreement and does not create any legally binding obligations between the participants under either international or national law. Nothing in this memorandum will alter or affect any existing agreements between the participants. Cooperation under this memorandum will take place within the framework of applicable national legislation and international obligations.
9. Nothing in this memorandum commits the participants to the expenditure of funds.
Possible forms of cooperation
10. Cooperation under this memorandum may be bilateral or multilateral and may include, but is not limited to, the following types of activity in the areas of research and innovation.
- coordinated or joint initiatives, programmes and projects;
- meetings, workshops, conferences and symposia;
- exchange of information and documentation;
- people exchange, visits, and delegations;
- strategy and coordination meetings.
11. The participants understand that initiatives under this memorandum including the annexes can be developed and carried out by the various autonomous bodies and institutions in Sweden and the UK.
Commencement and validity
12. This memorandum will come into effect on the date of its signature by the participants and will remain in effect for a period of five (5) years. The participants may decide to extend the duration of this memorandum by arrangement in writing.
13. Either participant may terminate this memorandum at any time by notifying the other participant in writing.
14. The termination of this memorandum will not affect the ongoing cooperation activities unless otherwise decided by the participants.
15. The foregoing represents the understanding reached between the participants on the matters referred to in this memorandum.
For the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Minister of State for Science, Research, Innovation and Nuclear
Lord Vallance
For the Kingdom of Sweden
State Secretary to Minister for Upper Secondary School, Higher Education and Research
Maria Nilsson
Annex
Annex A: themes for cooperation
16. Research and innovation cooperation is to be encouraged across all areas primarily under the EU’s Framework Programmes. Themes with a particular focus are:
17. Cooperation in science and research best practice as referred to in the Strategic Partnership between the UK and Sweden.
18. Commercialisation through innovation. Sharing knowledge between our respective innovation ecosystems to support the commercialisation of research and adoption of emerging and transformative technologies and working to encourage stronger cross-border collaboration for research and development – including within the start-up and scale-up sector.
19.Sharing best practices in science and innovation policy and diplomacy. This includes topics such as international standards, governance, and regulation of new technologies. It also covers research infrastructures and their global networks, as well as successful programs to promote innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, academic freedom, and responsible internationalisation.
20. Network development. The Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden in London and the Science and Technology Network at the British Embassy in Stockholm will support area specific research and innovation initiatives between research groups, universities and organisations.
Annex B: priorities 2025/2026
21. The participants will bring together relevant stakeholders once a year from the UK and Swedish research and innovation communities with the first meeting taking place in 2025. This will be led by the Office of Science and Innovation at the Embassy of Sweden in London and the Science and Technology Network at the British Embassy in Stockholm, to explore actions to date and priorities for the year ahead.
22. The participants will work primarily through the EU’s Framework Programmes with their respective funding agencies, research and innovation communities to encourage the development and implementation of joint initiatives, such as fellowships.
23. The participants and delivery partners will exchange views and positions to identify opportunities for cooperation in research and innovation.
24. The topics currently highlighted for 2025/2026 include artificial intelligence, research infrastructure, research security and responsible internationalisation, Arctic research, fusion energy research, and future telecommunications.