Annika Östman Wernerson: We are now strengthening KI’s preparedness in response to developments in the USA

Since the new US administration took over at the end of January, decisions made by the US President have raised serious concerns about the future of the research and education sector. The exact ramifications for international partnerships are still unclear, especially since many of the decisions have been appealed and are currently being challenged in federal courts. It is, however, likely that ongoing and future academic collaborations, exchanges and research funding in the USA will be affected in both the short and long term. Two joint KI research projects have already had to be discontinued, the one financed by USAID and the other by NIH.

The USA resource group

To make KI better prepared and able to act on matters and challenges relating to the US, we have now formed a cross-functional resource group. The Research Support and External Relations Office (part of Professional Services) already has a committee comprising people from the Grants Office and Compliance and Data Office, who coordinate issues primarily concerning research collaborations and grants in relation to the US; it is now being enlarged with expertise from other parts of KI: the International Relations Office, the Unit for Education Communication, Guidance and Alumni Relations (part of the Education Support Office) and the Communications and Public Relations Office. 

Their remit is to monitor, report on and act upon developments in the US through a range of internal and external networks. This will include supporting me and the rest of the university management, the deans, prefects and other heads of research and development; and watching what other stakeholders in the field are doing and, when necessary, coordinating joint initiatives.

It is still too early to ascertain the far-reaching consequences of the measures taken by the new US administration, and I would like to underline that our priority is to keep a close eye on developments, to update you on any with a potential impact on research at KI and on your work, and to prepare for different possible scenarios through direct contact with researchers and institutions with ongoing federally financed projects.

The latest information and email addresses

I would also like to draw your attention to a special information page on our Staff Portal – Update on US Federally Funded Research – where you can read about the latest developments. The page will be kept updated as new information comes in.

If you have any concerns or can provide some relevant information, please use either of the group’s two established email addresses: grantsoffice@ki.se and compliance@ki.se.