Decisions of the Infrastructure Board

The Board plans to conduct a comprehensive review of the research infrastructure portfolio supported by an international advisory panel. The aim is to ensure that KI researchers have access to high‑quality research infrastructure in a resource‑efficient way, and to strengthen the conditions for operating core facilities.

Decisions

The Infrastructure Board decides
that the objectives for the review are defined as stated, and
that the Chair is delegated authority to determine panel membership and the materials to be prepared for the visit.

The review will assess:

• whether the range of core facilities meets research needs at an international level
• whether services are of high quality
• whether resource allocation is efficient and appropriate
• whether KI provides good operational conditions

Panel members will be drawn from organisations specialising in research infrastructure.

A model has been developed for following up activities funded by the Infrastructure Board. According to the model, on‑site dialogue meetings will be held every other year, with digital meetings in the intervening years. Facility directors, heads of department, and administrative managers participate. After each meeting, an action plan is prepared and followed up annually.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board decides that follow‑up of funded activities shall be conducted according to the model described.

The Board discussed the matter at its meeting on 1 April 2025, and a proposed process has been developed:

• If the technology already exists at KI, existing users will be consulted to assess needs and interest.
• If the technology does not exist, needs may be raised at the annual open dialogue meetings.
• The Board then decides whether a strategic investment is warranted.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board decides to follow the proposed process for potential establishment of new core facilities.

The Board discussed the Swedish Research Council’s (VR’s) regulations for funding research infrastructure at its meeting on 1 April 2025. The Board sought to develop instructions on how operational support may be used in accordance with VR’s rules.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board decides that operational support may not be used for research that includes salary costs for doctoral students, postdocs, or assistant professors, and that this applies from 1 January 2026.

There is considerable demand for advanced e‑infrastructure, including AI computing. A working group will be established to explore the possibilities for such a facility. Cooperation is essential given the many ongoing initiatives at KI, and researchers’ needs must remain central.

Decisions

The Infrastructure Board decides
to establish a working group to propose a strategic initiative for an e‑infrastructure core facility,
that the group will be led by Johan Lagerros, who will appoint necessary expertise,
that a concrete proposal, including implementation and resource needs, be delivered by 26 August for discussion at the Board meeting on 2 September.

In autumn 2025, the Infrastructure Board decided on two strategic investments in e-infrastructure. The first concerns an investment in hardware for AI calculations (ref. no. 1-859/2025) and the second aims to create a pool of experts with the advanced support that is often needed to use this type of hardware (ref. no. 1–662/2025). There is a general need among many research groups at KI for support in using modern and advanced analysis methods and information technologies.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board approves of a strategic investment in AI computing hardware, including configuration and training, up to SEK 4 million during 2025. The IT Department must report its use of these funds to the Board by 30 June 2026.

The Board also approves of a strategic investment in an expert pool for e‑infrastructure, up to SEK 5 million during 2026–2027. Experts must hold KI employment, with compensation paid to their home department. The project will be administered by the IT Department and followed up semi‑annually, beginning June 2026.

In October 2025, KI’s deans decided to establish a strategic management group for freezer facilities in ANA Futura, Biomedicum, and Neo. The underlying report recommended safety enhancements, including the purchase of new freezers.

The Board discussed the matter on 4 November 2025 and supported a pilot project in which freezers are managed by the freezer facilities, while the possibility of a common LIMS is explored. The proposed initiative fits within the Board’s budgetary framework and has been coordinated with the strategic management group.

Decisions

The Infrastructure Board decides
on a strategic investment of up to SEK 6 million during 2025–2026 to purchase freezers for the freezer facilities in Neo, ANA Futura, and Biomedicum
that the strategic management group will be responsible for procurement, implementation evaluation after one year and development of a proposal for a common LIMS including resource requirements, to be reported back to the Board.

The Board emphasises that the initiative must not increase costs for individual researchers.

Martin Moche (Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics) has been responsible for information activities related to MAX IV and ESS during 2025, initiating several networking meetings between KI researchers and MAX IV staff.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board allocates salary compensation corresponding to 10% of a full‑time position for Martin Moche for information activities related to MAX IV and ESS during 1 January–31 December 2026. The assignment must be reported back to the Board in January 2027.

KI has initiated its internal process for identifying needs for national research infrastructures ahead of the Swedish Research Council’s upcoming call. Deans were asked to submit materials by 15 September 2025. The Board will discuss these at its meeting on 7 October. VR closes its needs inventory in November, and results will be available in May 2026.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board decides that KI’s internal process shall follow the proposed plan.

To identify needs for national infrastructure, deans were asked to submit new proposals. Two new proposals were received: BSL3 and Swedish Lifespan Imaging. Existing infrastructures supported by VR (the Swedish Twin Registry and the National E‑infrastructure for Aging Research) must also be included if needs remain.

The Board expresses support for including Swedish Lifespan Imaging and BSL3 in the needs inventory.

Decision

The Infrastructure Board delegates to the Chair the authority to decide on prioritisation based on the meeting’s discussion.

Swedish National Data Service (SND) will apply for continued funding from the Swedish Research Council for 2027–2028. SND enables researchers to describe, share, and reuse research data and plays a central role in the transition to open science. KI’s co‑funding consists of in‑kind resources, including a senior advisor (30% FTE), participation in flagship projects, and involvement in KI’s new data management and storage initiatives.

SND’s application includes a request for resource‑based co‑funding of SEK 1.5 million annually from each participating university. As part of KI’s previously allocated budget for such funding has not been fully utilised, it is unclear why the Infrastructure Board alone is responsible for KI’s entire contribution. The Board also wishes to invite KI users to present their use of SND at a future meeting.

Decisions

The Infrastructure Board decides
that its in‑kind co‑funding for SND may not exceed SEK 1.5 million per year for 2027 and 2028
that the Chair is authorised to determine the exact amount
that the decision applies with immediate effect.