On September 20, the Swedish Minister for Education, Mats Persson, presented the proposed Budget Bill for 2024 at MAX IV in Lund – proposing 40 million SEK in extra funding to MAX IV to ensure that the important research can continue in the coming year.
“This is short-term – something we have to do now – but it is part of a much bigger journey and a big story about Sweden and innovation,” said Mats Persson, Swedish Minister for Education, during his visit at MAX IV. “Many interested groups are knocking on the doors of MAX IV and want to use the facility, including industrial companies. We propose this funding to ensure that we can utilise MAX IV’s potential.”
MAX IV’s Director, Olof “Charlie” Karis, says he perceives the investment as a signal of the political understanding of the challenges that MAX IV is facing in terms of increased costs. Yet, he hopes to see a more long-term solution. “I am very happy that the government is doing what it can in this situation, enabling us to stay open for Swedish research. Although this investment does not fully correspond to our needs, we will do everything we can to ensure we stay in operation during 2024.”
“Mats Persson greatly appreciates the vast array of research opportunities that MAX IV offers, from curiosity-driven research to applied research,” added Director Karis.
Read the press release from the Swedish Ministry of Education and Research (regeringen.se):
40 miljoner kronor för att trygga driften av MAX IV (Swedish)
News article from Lund University (lu.se):
