International collaboration remains essential for advancing research and innovation – but it also requires thoughtful and secure choices. Sweden has now introduced new national guiding principles to support organisations engaging globally, helping them navigate partnerships in a more responsible and future‑proof way.
Developed together with universities, public agencies and security experts, the guidelines offer strategic direction for leaders in higher education and research. They serve as a foundation for institutions to create their own tailored policies ensuring safe, ethical and high‑quality international engagement.
Why responsible collaboration matters
Working across borders strengthens global knowledge, sparks creativity and accelerates sustainable development. At the same time, organisations must understand potential risks, uphold academic freedom and integrity, and protect people, data and democratic values.
The new guidance highlights the importance of making informed decisions about what collaborations to pursue and with whom — enabling openness and security to coexist.
Support for the wider innovation ecosystem
Beyond universities, many innovation actors need practical help to work internationally in a secure way — especially start‑ups and small companies with limited resources – so-called SMEs . Dedicated guidance for businesses and other organisations will be developed throughout 2026, forming part of a long‑term effort to strengthen the entire ecosystem.
From proposal to established guidance
The newly adopted guidelines draw on feedback from a national consultation process, resulting in a clearer scope, sharper focus on security, and more actionable support for organisations already active on the global stage.
Towards stronger global partnerships
Responsible internationalisation is ultimately about enabling trust, creativity and sustainable growth. With these guidelines, organisations gain a clearer path to building resilient partnerships that support both global progress and shared democratic values.
Read the full report (in Swedish) Responsible internationalization – Guiding national guidelines 2026