Call for proposals for new cutting-edge technologies and methods
This call for proposals is aimed at initiatives involving cutting-edge technology or methods that are so time-critical that they cannot wait until the regular call for proposals in 2028. A maximum of SEK 16 million has been allocated for innovative, needs-driven investments to strengthen KI’s research infrastructure. The funds are to be used during 2027.
The Infrastructure Board is announcing funds to enable core facilities or other operations at KI to introduce new technologies and methods where needs have been identified following the 2024 core facility call. Applications must relate to cutting-edge technologies or methods, and a well-founded justification must be provided as to why the investment cannot wait until the regular call for proposals in 2028.
Purpose and objectives
The purpose of the call is to accelerate the introduction and development of new technologies or methods that significantly raise the scientific standard of the research supported by core facilities or other operations.
The application must be needs-driven, and the technology or method in question must be clearly innovative. It is important that the application includes a well-founded justification as to why it is being submitted now and not during the regular core facility call in 2028.
Available funding
Within the framework of this call, a maximum of SEK 16 million will be allocated for use in 2027. The amount requested per application should be at least SEK 1 million. In the event of high competition, the Infrastructure Board will work to ensure that as many projects as possible can be approved. Applications that include co-funding may contribute positively to the overall assessment and are therefore particularly welcome.
What the funding can be used for?
- Technologies
- Methods
- Instruments
- Skills development
- Operating costs, such as consulting fees and salaries (excluding merit-based positions) associated with the establishment of a technology or method
To be granted funding for the purchase of instruments, the instrument(s) must have been acquired in 2027. Funding for instrument purchases can be requested from the Infrastructure Board once the invoice has been recorded.
Who can apply?
The call for applications is open to core facility managers as well as researchers, teaching staff, research infrastructure specialists or research specialists at KI who run, or intend to establish activities with the explicit aim of making technologies or methods available to users through open access and user fees, similar to core facilities.
What to include in the application?
Essential background information about the applicant and the operation
- Name of the person submitting the application (core facility manager or researcher, teaching staff, research infrastructure specialists or research specialists at KI who run activities that are not yet established as a core facility)
- The name of the core facility or operation
- Which department or equivalent organisational unit the core facility/operation belongs to
- Email address and any link to a website
- Amount applied for in 2027
Description of the project's feasibility and need (maximum 7,000 characters)
- Summarize the purpose and scope of application of the new technology or method.
- Describe how the technology or method complements and strengthens existing activities within the core facility/operation.
- Explain why it is important that the additional funding be granted as early as 2027.
- Provide a general description of the technology or method to which the application relates, including its stage of development (level of maturity), how it is planned to be made available to users, and whether equivalent technology or methods are already established or available at other operations or infrastructures.
- Clearly state the identified need for the initiative, including a reasonable estimate of the scale of the need (customer base at KI). To substantiate the need, letters of support from potential users should be attached.
Supplementary information
- Budget, including any co-funding, in accordance with the template in Prisma.
- For applications from applicants whose operation is not yet established as a core facility, a CV must be attached, along with a justification demonstrating that the necessary expertise and experience are available for implementation.
Application
Applications should be written in English and must be submitted via KI Prisma. Please note that the Head of Department’s signature is required in Prisma. The application period opens on 26 May 2026 at 10.00 and closes on 23 June 2026 at 14.00.
Application processing
The Infrastructure Board and representatives from SciLifeLab will make a joint assessment based on:
- Strategic importance for research at KI
- Service at the technological/methodological forefront
Karolinska Institutet’s guidelines on conflicts of interest (COI) will be applied in the evaluation process.
Decision
Decisions on the allocation of funds will be made by the Infrastructure Board by October 2026 at the latest, so that you can commence any procurement as soon as possible and complete purchases in 2027.
Contact
If you have any questions, please contact us at spocinfrastructure@ki.se.