Newsletter from the Infrastructure Board
During 2026, the Infrastructure Board (IB) has considered a number of matters relating to the development of Karolinska Institutet’s research infrastructure. In this newsletter, we summarise some of the most important decisions and discussions. The aim is to provide an overview of current initiatives affecting researchers and staff working within KI’s core facilities.
New resources and developments
New Chair of the Infrastructure Board
On 1 April 2026, Caroline Graff took up her role as Chair of the Infrastructure Board. The term of office for the Board’s members has been extended until 31 December 2026.
The Board has also welcomed two new student representatives: Adam Akaev (the Medical Students’ Association) and Eleonora Nilsson (the Dental Students’ Association).
New members for the Infrastructure Board
The Faculty Board is seeking eight new members, including a Chair and Vice-Chair, for the Infrastructure Board for the 2027–2029 term of office. The assignment includes allocating resources to and reviewing investments in research infrastructure and core facilities, as well as contributing to the development of KI’s research infrastructure strategy.
Appointments of new members will be made by the Faculty Board following expressions of interest.
New delegation framework gives the Infrastructure Board a strategic role
The revised delegation framework gives the Infrastructure Board a clear strategic responsibility for KI’s research infrastructure. The Board is tasked with ensuring that researchers have access to the infrastructure required for high-quality research, while also preparing matters relating to major investments, long-term priorities, and KI’s participation in national and international infrastructures.
In practice, this means that the Infrastructure Board will serve as the Faculty Board’s principal body for identifying needs, prioritising investments, and preparing documentation for strategic decisions concerning research infrastructure. Ongoing consultation takes place between the Chair of the Infrastructure Board and the Director of Research Infrastructure at RIKI.
Expert Pool for AI and Advanced IT
The expert pool for AI and advanced IT is a two-year pilot initiative established by the Infrastructure Board to make it easier for KI researchers to access advanced technical expertise, modern AI methods, and powerful computing infrastructure.
In much the same way as Clinicum provides methodological support for clinical research, the expert pool will connect researchers seeking support with researchers and specialists who can contribute expertise in areas such as AI, advanced data analysis, databases, and programming.
Through this initiative, the Infrastructure Board aims to stimulate knowledge exchange and new collaborations across departmental and disciplinary boundaries, while also providing funding for the time that experts devote to such activities. The Expert Pool is based on the idea that KI researchers are both users and co-creators of the expertise and infrastructure needed for the research of the future.
Hardware investment for AI computing now in place
The hardware investment, an NVIDIA DGX B200 server, is now in place in Kalix and is scheduled to be made available to KI researchers via iLab by the end of 2026.
Call for proposals: new technologies and methods
The Infrastructure Board has decided to award funding to five initiatives under the call “New Technologies and Methods at the Front Line”. In 2027, up to SEK 16 million will be invested in new technologies and methods that strengthen KI’s research infrastructure and provide more researchers with access to advanced tools, expertise, and ways of working.
Learn more about the expected impact of the five initiatives on KI’s research infrastructure, as described by the facility directors.
Quality, follow-up and governance
Updated procedures for dialogue and follow-up
New procedures have been introduced to strengthen dialogue between the Infrastructure Board and the supported operations. These procedures include annual review meetings, the submission of financial reports and budgets, and site visits every second year. Self-assessments may also become part of the follow-up process in the future.
During the spring, representatives of the Infrastructure Board visited all core facilities receiving operational support from the Board to discuss their activities. Heads of department and administrative managers also participated in the meetings.
Collaboration and national research infrastructures
Strengthened collaboration with SciLifeLab
The Infrastructure Board aims to deepen collaboration with SciLifeLab to improve KI researchers’ access to and use of national life science resources. One important focus area is to strengthen cooperation between KI operations and corresponding functions at SciLifeLab, while also improving awareness of SciLifeLab’s services and offerings.
As part of this work, the Infrastructure Board, together with representatives from KI’s Strategic Research Areas (SRAs), visited SciLifeLab to discuss existing services, future needs, and opportunities for collaboration.
MAX IV and research opportunities
MAX IV has introduced a travel support programme to increase use of the facility. At a meeting in May, KI researchers were informed about opportunities to utilise the infrastructure. The Infrastructure Board is actively working to increase the use of MAX IV and ESS among KI researchers.
Regional collaboration and biobanks
Biobank collaboration with Region Stockholm
A new collaboration agreement has been signed between KI and Karolinska University Hospital. Coordination takes place through an Advisory Board, where the Dean for Research and the Director of Research Infrastructure serve as regular members, while the Chair of the Infrastructure Board serves as deputy member. Karolinska University Hospital is represented by Olof Akre (Director of Research, Development, Education and Innovation) and Mathias Axelsson (Theme Head, Medical Diagnostics Karolinska) as regular members, with Staffan Holmin (Head of Research and Education, Medical Diagnostics Karolinska) serving as deputy member.
Developing a shared vision for experimental animal and imaging research in the Stockholm ALF region
The management group for KI and Region Stockholm has decided to establish a working group tasked with developing a shared vision for experimental animal and imaging activities in the Stockholm ALF region. The group reported its work to the management group at the end of June 2026.