Coordination among higher education institutions
Proposed needs and applications to RFI are normally submitted by consortia involving several higher education institutions and other organisations. For this reason, the processes at higher education institutions are coordinated at the national level by the Universities’ Reference Group for Research Infrastructure (URFI), of which Umeå University is a member, and which also regularly coordinates with RFI.
You can read more about the funding process on the Swedish Research Council’s website
Umeå University’s process
At university level, applications are so-called organisational applications, which means that the Vice-Chancellor gives final approval for the application through a letter of support. As such, Umeå University’s participation in the entire RFI funding process from needs inventory to application is coordinated by the Council for Research Infrastructure at Umeå University (RIS). This ensures university-wide strategic prioritisation and planning of research infrastructures.
RIS is responsible for ensuring that the coordination processes and deadlines for Umeå University are announced well in advance.
Read about the Council for Research Infrastructure at Umeå University
Schedule and timeline for the 2025–2026 needs inventory
The schedule for the 2025–2026 needs inventory was announced in early May 2025 per email to the faculties and existing research infrastructures.
See the email sent regarding the 2025–2026 timeline and process
See a more detailed timeline and process for the previous application round