President decides on a new allocation model for government research funding
President Annika Östman Wernerson has taken decisions on further aspects of KI’s new model for the allocation of the government appropriation for research and doctoral education. The decisions concern performance-bases allocations and premises costs. The model will come into effect in its entirety in 2026, replacing the former “activity” model.
The decision is part of a larger refinement of KI’s internal resource allocation procedure, which aims to create a more transparent, predictable and quality-enhancing model on the basis of the 2023 examination of the challenges facing KI.
These discussions resulted in nine priority focus areas, of which focus area D, “Sustainable and future proofed finances”, highlighted a need to change the way resources are distributed internally.
A three-part model
The decisions now taken mean that resource allocation and cost distribution will be seen as a triad of different purposes: long-term planning and prioritisation based on the standard departmental subsidy (decided 2024); the promotion of excellence and strong research environments through the performance-based model; and the transparent financing of premises.
“We’re doing this to strengthen our position going forward,” says Professor Östman Wernerson. “We need a model that’s clear and easy to follow up, that takes account of our entire mission as a university, and that fosters quality in every aspect of our work.”
She also points out the fact that KI’s administrative capital is constantly growing:
“KI also has too much money in the bank – what’s known as administrative capital. We need a model that ensures that the money gets channelled better into our operations. The new model will help us direct these funds to wherever they come in useful.”
Performance-based allocation
The performance-based model is based on two equally weighted pillars: bibliometrics and external research grants.
Bibliometrics is further divided into two equal parts:
- Journal quality, reflecting where research papers are published.
- Citations, reflecting the impact of the research papers.
External research grants comprise:
- The number of grants awarded, with particular importance ascribed to grants from e.g. the European Research Council (ERC) and Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation.
- Receipts from selected financiers, such as the Swedish Research Council, Forte, Formas, Vinnova and larger non-profit research donors.
The Faculty Board will be conducting an annual review of, and amending where necessary, both the “KI list” (for bibliometrics) and which external grants to include in the model and their relative weighting.
The production of the performance-based model has been led by a committee under the Faculty Board chaired by Vice-President Martin Bergö with the aim to create incentives for high-quality, high-impact research in line with KI’s general goals.
New principles for the distribution of premises costs
The new model also abolishes the rent subsidy. Starting in 2026, the departments will instead have direct responsibility for the premises costs, which will make their financing and actual costs more transparent. Internal leasing costs will rise as a consequence, but research grants will be made available and distributed to the departments via the performance-based component.
At campus level, the differences will be minimal, and the standard departmental subsidy will ease long-term planning and strategic prioritisation within the campus groups.
The president’s decision and the earlier decision on the standard departmental subsidy (ref. no. 1–578/2024) will formally cancel the previous “activity model” (ref. no. 1–945/2019).