Annika Östman Wernerson: We are changing the allocation of research funding at KI

Why are we changing the current model for allocating the governmental research grant?

We are doing this to stand stronger in the future. We need a model that is clear, can be followed up and takes into account our entire mission as a university, and that promotes quality throughout all of our activities.

When we took over the management, we worked with many of you to identify what needs to be changed at KI. Resource allocation was one of the major areas. We have had a model that has been difficult to understand, difficult to follow up, and which does not provide sufficient security in the planning of our activities.

Today, KI also has too much money saved up – what we call government equity – and which is constantly growing. We need a model that allows the money to be turned over, otherwise there is a great risk that the government will reduce our funding. The new model will help us use the funds where they are most needed.

What will change with the new model?

All research funds that go to the departments are currently allocated based solely on research performance. This will now change. The new model is proposed to consist of three parts:

1. A basic grant based on the entire department’s activities, both education and research.
2. A performance-based component that rewards high-quality research with clear and transparent criteria.
3. A new way of managing premises costs. We are removing internal rent subsidies, and the corresponding funds will instead go to the departments. This makes it possible to use the money where it is most needed.

Taken together, these elements create a model that can be explained, followed up, and that enables priorities and strategic decisions at all management levels.

What do the changes mean for you as an employee?

And is there any risk that research groups will receive less funding?

Our simulations show that the changes at the campus group level are minor, and we have mechanisms to support activities that are affected during the transition. The distribution of money to individual groups will, as today, be determined by the department's priorities, and levels may vary over time. Nor is there any guarantee in the current system that research groups will receive the same amount of funding each year.

Another important aspect is that government grants for research will be increasingly governed by excellence. If we are successful, we will therefore receive more funding for KI, and then we can allocate more funds both as a base and as a performance component. In other words, the whole of KI will be a winner.

We will also follow up and analyse the outcome. If anything needs to be adjusted, we will do so.

In order for us to implement the model next year, I need to make a decision by the end of September.

KI is us. This is a step towards a stronger and more sustainable KI. We are doing this to secure our future together.

Your questions are welcome

Right now, dialogue is ongoing in campus groups and collegial bodies.

We in the university management would also like to invite all employees to a webinar on 17 September at 8 a.m. to tell you more and answer questions. You are welcome to submit questions and register now.

The webinar will be held in Swedish but you can submit questions in English and answers will be made available in English text after the webinar.