Establishment of RIKI 2026-2027
From 1 January 2026, Research Infrastructure KI (RIKI) will be established to bring together KI's resources and expertise in a cohesive research infrastructure organisation that will be built up in stages until the summer of 2027. The aim is to strengthen support for researchers, facilitate collaboration and meet future demands for development, security and expertise.
RIKI will be established as a new organisational unit at KI to coordinate and develop KI's research infrastructure. The organisation will be built up in several stages, with Comparative Medicine (KM), KI Biobank and the radiation bunkers at Campus Solna included in the first phase. Additional core facilities and freezer facilities will be added thereafter.
Goal
The goal is to consolidate and strengthen the research infrastructure, improve quality and create better conditions for collaboration and development. RIKI will be a cohesive and well-functioning organisation that creates conditions for improving quality, developing working methods and using resources more efficiently with long-term sustainability.
Purpose
The purpose of RIKI is to create a more coordinated, professional and sustainable organisation for research infrastructure at KI, where employees have the opportunity to participate and exchange experiences in the development of the overall infrastructure landscape at KI. By pooling resources and expertise, it will be easier for researchers to access advanced methods and technologies, while also creating clearer career paths and better opportunities for skills development for employees.
Organisation and funding
RIKI will be led by an infrastructure director who reports to the vice-chancellor and has overall responsibility for strategic development, resource allocation and coordination of KI's research infrastructure. The director is supported by an administrative manager who is responsible for functions such as HR, finance and communication in collaboration with GVS.
Structure: Operations are organised into platforms (such as Comparative Medicine and core facilities) with their own operational representatives. Researcher influence is ensured through advisory groups linked to both RIKI's management and the constituent operations.
Funding: Government grants, external contributions and user fees. The Infrastructure Board continues to play a central role in funding the activities and the faculty's influence.
Background and desired situation
Several factors have led to the proposal to establish RIKI. One of the tasks within KI's priority focus areas is to create a cohesive organisation for KI's research infrastructure, with the aim of increasing quality and efficiency. Another factor is that KI's research infrastructure has grown organically, making it complex and difficult to understand, with fragmented responsibilities and varying procedures. KI's internal audit has recommended that KI more clearly describe and ly quality assure its research infrastructure.
A more coordinated and quality-assured research infrastructure makes it easier for researchers to find and use advanced methods and techniques, including through the Emerging Technologies (EmTech) function that is being developed in the next phase. The aim is also to create clearer career paths and better opportunities for skills development for employees within the research infrastructures, which will strengthen KI's position as a leading medical university.
Preliminary timetable
| 1 January 2026: Integration begins | Comparative Medicine, KI Biobank and radiation bunkers at Campus Solna are brought together within RIKI. Infrastructure Director and advisory group are appointed. RIKI's operational support and IT structure are developed in collaboration with Professional Services (GVS). |
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| Autumn 2026: Expansion begins | Additional core facilities and freezer facilities are integrated into RIKI after dialogue with the institutions concerned. Expansion of management, advisory and support functions within RIKI. |
| 1 July 2027: Integration complete | The expansion of RIKI, including management, advisory and support functions, is expected to be completed in mid-2027. |