Technology Implementation Grants

A) Technology Hubs should aim to:

• Provide advanced technologies, methods, and specialized capabilities that support several ST research groups
• Address unmet or emerging technological needs within StemTherapy
• Enable methodological development, training, and competence building
• Foster adoption of forefront methods and strategic technologies
• Complement, rather than duplicate, existing core facilities at Lund University
• Be capable of operating autonomously after the funding period through user fees or other sustainable financial models. Further StemTherapy funding beyond the initial 3-year period may be sought through a competitive application process.

Priority is given to Technology Hubs that enable training, as well as development and implementation of forefront methods and technologies, and that facilitate the adoption of approaches with strategic importance for StemTherapy.

Technology Hubs are operated by a StemTherapy PI and may include both service-oriented support and method development. Accessibility needs to be provided to incorporate new users

B) Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment should aim to:

1. Support acquisition, maintenance, or operation of shared equipment used by multiple ST groups or build up and share specialized expertise
2. Address specialized or resource-intensive technological needs
3. Complement, not duplicate, existing Medical Faculty core facilities
4. Provide clear scientific and operational benefit to ST research
5. Operate under a shared-access model with transparent usage principles.

Priority is given to Shared Research Infrastructure/Equipment that:

1. Demonstrates strong and active user demand by multiple ST research groups
2. Aims for access to all ST research groups
3. Supports competence building and advanced methodologies
4. Provides technologies not otherwise available within ST

Applications may be submitted by:

A) Technology Hubs:

• Principal Investigators affiliated with StemTherapy (ST)
• Groups of ST PIs collaborating on a shared hub

B) Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment:

• Groups of ST PIs co-owning and/or jointly managing equipment

The proposed Technology Hubs and Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment must:

• Serve multiple research groups within StemTherapy
• Address clear technology or competency needs
• Not overlap with services already provided by established Medical Faculty Core Facilities

StemTherapy funding can be used to:

A) Technology Hubs:

• Support part time personnel, consumables, service contracts, method development and training activities
• Fund up to 700,000 SEK per year for 3 years*. Further StemTherapy funding beyond the initial 3-year period may be sought through a new competitive application process.

B) Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment:

• Acquisition costs (co-funding expected when applicable)
• Service contracts, maintenance or operational costs
• Support for shared access implementation
• Part time salary for specialized staff
• Funding is provided in the range of 50 000 – 250 000 SEK per year for up to 3 years*.

*Funding up to 3 years is dependent on:

• Continued funding for the SFO
• Maintenance of planned operations
• Approval of annual reports by StemTherapy
• A stable and active user base
• Board approval

Each Technology Hub and Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment must specify:

• Governance structure and responsible PI(s)
• User access policies including, if applicable, training and introduction to new users and prioritization criteria.
• Fee structure and cost-sharing model (if applicable)
• Long-term operational and financial sustainability with plans for operation after the funding period through user fees or other sustainable financial models.
• Plans for methodological development and training
• Strategy for innovation and integration with ST’s scientific priorities and strategic plan
  • Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment must include a transparent shared-access and management plan describing how the equipment will be shared amongst applying PIs.

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Scientific and strategic relevance
• Operational feasibility
• Impact and user base
• Added value and complementarity with existing facilities

Proposals will be evaluated and ranked by the StemTherapy Infrastructure Working Group. Final decisions will be taken by the ST Board based on recommendation of Steering group.

Applications (max 3 pages) must include:

1. Description of the Technology Hub or Shared Research Infrastructure or Equipment
2. Scientific rationale and strategic relevance
3. User base and expected or demonstrated demand
4. Operational, maintenance and development plan, including, if applicable, relevant training to new users wanting access
5. Proposed budget and justification
6. Signature from responsible PI
7. If applicable: Short description of financial sustainability and potential for growth/expansion

• Deadline for applications: 30 September 2026
• Decision announcement: 30 October 2026
• Earliest project start: 1 January 2027

Submit applications as a single PDF to: Göran Karlsson,goran [dot] karlsson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (goran[dot]karlsson[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)

For questions please contact, Göran Karlsson, goran [dot] karlsson [at] med [dot] lu [dot] se (goran[dot]karlsson[at]med[dot]lu[dot]se)