Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and the University of Gothenburg have signed a letter of intent with the aim of Kristineberg changing principals on 1 January 2026.
Malin Broberg, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Gothenburg, and Katarina Gårdfeldt, Director of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, have recently signed a letter of intent with the aim of transferring the activities at Kristineberg to the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.
The letter of intent means that the parties will jointly initiate preparations to enable a transfer of operations, with planned implementation on 1 January 2026. However, this is subject to the Swedish parliament (riksdagen) and the government approving the takeover during the autumn.
New synergies
"This is extremely gratifying and a major step towards saving the historic research station and its activities. It opens up for long-term government responsibility and new synergies between marine and polar research environments," says Göran Hilmersson, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Technology at the University of Gothenburg.
The transition would mean that Kristineberg's resources and competences would be integrated with the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat's existing infrastructure and their activities in the Arctic and Antarctic.
No decisions taken
The letter of intent on Kristineberg is in line with the research policy direction proposed in the government bill "Research and innovation for the future, curiosity and benefit" (prop. 2024/25:60), where polar research is highlighted as a strategic area.
"It is important to emphasise that this is a first step. No decisions have yet been made, but we are confident about the possibility of developing Kristineberg as a national and international resource within an expanded research mission," says Katarina Gårdfeldt.
Talks between Dean Göran Hilmersson and Katarina Gårdfeldt are now continuing to prepare the way for the transfer of operations. Since both authorities fall under the Department of Education, the transition will be a matter for the Swedish parliament and government.
Support from local foundation
An important issue in the transition is the long-term financing of Kristineberg. The locally based Sjöberg Foundation has expressed a strong interest in supporting the development of the research station with up to SEK 75 million over five years. The investment includes strengthening and adapting the station's infrastructure for marine polar research and funding research positions linked to Swedish universities.
"The University of Gothenburg looks forward to continuing to be an active partner and contributing to the further development of Kristineberg as an international meeting place for experimental marine research and innovation," says Göran Hilmersson.
