Leif Lundblad’s will – 2026 calls for research funding are now open
Earlier this year, it was announced that Karolinska Institutet had received a total donation of SEK 538 million through the will of Leif Lundblad, of which SEK 500 million has been allocated to research project funding. The first calls for research funding for 2026 are now open.
2026 calls for research funding
In 2026, a total of SEK 25 million will be awarded to research in women’s health and Alzheimer’s disease.
Read more about the 2026 calls:
• Women’s health
• Alzheimer’s disease
Leif Lundblad (1938–2025), an entrepreneur, inventor and philanthropist, was engaged in research at Karolinska Institutet for many years. He followed developments in research with great interest and regularly attended various KI seminars. Leif Lundblad was awarded an honorary doctorate by KI in 2025.
Leif first came into contact with KI in 2014 through KI’s Development Office. Two years later, he began donating to research on pain (E. Kosek, C. Svensson and K. Jensen). Through regular meetings with researchers, he developed a particular interest in, among other areas, research on Alzheimer’s disease and chronic pain. Leif supported six different areas of research at KI.
Ulrika Lundblad, his daughter and spokesperson for the family, says:
”My father’s decision to include KI in his will was the result of a long-standing commitment, shaped by inspiring meetings with researchers where they shared updates on their work, as well as a strong confidence in KI’s leadership and Development Office. He had a strong desire to contribute to medical advances that could benefit future generations.”
Focus on research of major importance to public health
The funds will be used for research in areas of major importance to public health. The main focus will be on:
- neurodegenerative diseases, particularly Alzheimer’s disease
- diseases that affect large numbers of people, including:
- chronic pain
- autoimmune diseases
During the first few years, 65 per cent of the funding will go towards research into the mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease, beyond tau- and beta-amyloid-related processes. The remaining 35 per cent will support research in women’s health, including reproductive and hormonal health.
A total of SEK 25 million will be awarded through calls for research funding in 2026.