Increase in funding for Campus Groups following the Government's budget proposal
The Government's budget proposal for 2026 represents a positive addition for Karolinska Institutet. The President has therefore decided that KI's campus groups will receive more funding for joint priorities in 2026. At the same time, several measures are being taken to address KI's adminstrative capital.
Despite the government's focus on defence and support for households, KI will receive increased funding, partly through a reallocation towards excellence and a general increase in research funding. The total amount is approximately 3.58 billion Swedish kronor. This means that KI will receive approximately 70 million Swedish kronor more for research and education next year. In addition, KI's Institute of Environmental Medicine (IMM) will be allocated targeted funds and the University Dental Clinic will receive enhanced high-cost protection.
Each Campus Group receives 45 million
Most of the research funding will be allocated through the new model for resource allocation. However, the President has also decided to allocate an additional 90 million Swedish kronor of the research funding plus 45 million Swedish kronor of KI's interest income directly to the campus groups under the leadership of the deans. The Deans are thus tasked with distributing 45 million Swedish kronor each within the three campus groups.
‘Our resources must be used actively in research and education and must not be accumulated. That is why it is important to me that decisions and priorities can be made close to the operations, by those who have the best knowledge of needs and opportunities,’ says President Annika Östman Wernerson.
All funds must be spent during 2026 based on the following instructions from the President:
- compensate departments for any transition effects of the new model for resource allocation
- ensure resources for high-quality education
- implement strategic priorities.
Any additional supplements from the President may be added.
Decision on the President's funds
In recent years, the President's funds have been financed through interest income. However, as the interest rate on the national debt has fallen, the University Board decided on 15 October to also allocate SEK 35 million from the research grant to the President. This is needed, among other things, to finance needs arising in connection with the implementation of decisions related to KI's prioritised focus areas.
Continued importance of reducing KI's adminstrative capital
At the same time, the challenge of high administrative capital at KI remains. The University Management has taken several measures to convert administrative capital into operations. An important part of this is the decision on a changed model for resource allocation, which will come into force in its entirety at KI next year. Another measure being taken by the Faculty Board is to increase its cost budget by allocating funds from the administrative capital.
‘The Faculty Board will receive an additional SEK 100 million in research funding for 2026 compared to 2025, but is also budgeting to use SEK 70 million of saved funds, i.e. administrative capital, in its distribution to the departments,’ says Annika Östman Wernerson.
This means that the Faculty Board's budget for research will be SEK 170 million higher next year compared to this year, while at the same time contributing to a reduction in the administrative capital.
‘It is important that the increased resources are now translated into concrete and long-term sustainable activities. This may involve staff recruitment and prioritisation or investments closer to the activities concerned,’ says Annika Östman Wernerson.