KTH labs granted millions
KTH is investing SEK 20 million in laboratories in strategically important areas. The money will be used for advanced new equipment at seven selected laboratories.
This investment in the KTH infrastructure for research was started two years ago, when nine labs received start-up grants. Today, 11 labs have been established as part of the and have qualified to seek funding of SEK 20 million from the annual internal grant.
This year, the money will go to labs within life science, nanotechnology, medical technology, experimental mechanics and computational science.
“For a leading research university such as KTH, its research infrastructure plays an important role in its success and international attractiveness. We also offer research-related education that genuinely needs access to this infrastructure,” says Deputy President Mikael Östling , who started and manages the initiative.
He hopes that the investment can contribute to further stimulating research excellence and to develop more multidisciplinary partnerships – not only within academia, but also with the enterprise sector and other societal parties, nationally and internationally.
“In so doing, our labs act as a trademark for what KTH stands for, how attractive we are and how much innovative and excellent research our physical environment can deliver.”
He also views these funds as a pathway to additional opportunities to attract new users to the labs, both within KTH and externally.
“This is the thrust of the strategy, to get more users that attract partnerships, revenues and further enhance our reputation.”
The investment in these KTH labs is part of the bigger responsibility Swedish universities have been given to develop strategic research environments,” says Östling.
“As we all know, new research instruments and equipment upgrades are incredibly expensive. This means you also need other financing in addition to our central president funding but we are sending a message to our laboratories to think strategically and to get the best possible return on these investments.”
Text: Christer Gummeson