Grants, prizes and donations

Rolf Kiessling receives a distinguished award for immunotherapy research
Professor Rolf Kiessling at Karolinska Institutet has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 CIMT Lifetime Achievement Award for his groundbreaking discovery of natural killer (NK) cells, which has significantly advanced our understanding of the immune response to viruses and cancer cells.

Generous allocation from the Swedish Rheumatism Association to KI research
This year, the Swedish Rheumatism Association (Reumatikerförbundet) is awarding almost SEK 14 million to research into rheumatic diseases. What unites many research projects is a clear focus on personalised diagnostics and treatment. Of the total of 87 research projects in this year's allocation, 32 are conducted at KI.

KI research receives SEK 3.4 million from the Swedish Kidney Foundation
This year's awarded research grant from the Swedish Kidney Foundation (Njurfonden) was a record amount, seven and a half million SEK for kidney research. About half, SEK 3,450,000, goes to projects at Karolinska Institutet.

Prestigious Göran Gustafsson Prize to Laura Baranello
Researchers who are awarded a Göran Gustafsson Prize are among Sweden's foremost under 45 years of age in their field. One of this year's five Göran Gustafsson Prize winners is KI researcher Laura Baranello, who is being recognized for “groundbreaking studies on the regulation of topoisomerases and their role in tumor biology”. The aim of the research is a new strategy for less intrusive cancer treatments.
The Conversation

How fluoride may be linked to poorer cognition in children

Nine reasons why the myth that vaccines cause autism persists
From a research perspective, there is little left to discover about vaccines used in long-standing nationwide vaccine programmes, such as polio, measles, and rubella. So why do suspicions that vaccines cause autism remain? Professor Sven Bölte presents nine reasons in The Conversation.

Hyperbaric chamber treatment may alleviate PTSD
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is common in military veterans but can affect anyone who has suffered or witnessed an extreme physical or emotional event, and it is very hard to treat. Novel treatments are urgently needed. A recent study has been showing promise with an unusual treatment: hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT).

More articles from KI researchers published in The Conversation
From cold-resistant genes to face masks, Karolinska Institutet researchers contribute to the global public discourse on a range of topics through our collaboration with the international news site The Conversation.
Selected top publications
Common multi-medication therapies affect Alzheimer’s Disease pathology differently
Maioli et al, Alzheimer's & Dementia, March 2025
How chromosomes shape up for cell division
Jan Ellenberg et al, Cell, March 2025
New mechanism behind vascular damage in type 2 diabetes identified
John Pernow et al, Journal of Clinical Investigation, March 2025
New findings could improve stroke care
Linda Fredriksson et al, Journal of Clinical Investigation, March 2025
Cancer drug ibrutinib has more effects in the body than previously known
Isabelle Leo et al, Nature Communications, February 2025
More high-impact publications