Research

Photo:EPA Photo/ Vassil Donev

Norwegian research institutions and enterprises are pleased to invite you to engage in partnerships in the field of scientific research, technology development and innovation.

In the period up to 2009, Norway will contribute EUR 1.134 billion to the EEA Financial Mechanisms for Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Portugal and Greece. Academic research is an important cross-cutting dimension in the Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between Norway/the EFTA states and the above countries. Scientific projects within the priority sectors are eligible for support through the Norwegian/EEA Financial Mechanisms. Information about the financial mechanisms is available at the following websites: www.eeagrants.org (EEA Financial Mechanism Office) and www.europaportalen.no (Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs).

An important objective in the MoUs is that the EEA Financial Mechanisms should strengthen EFTA states/ Norway’s relations with the beneficiary states and increase co-operation on common challenges related to research.

Norwegian research institutions will be pleased to take part in research projects in the priority sectors and other areas that are in line with the objectives of the EEA Financial Mechanisms. High quality research, technology development and research-based innovation are vital in order to preserve and strengthen the European social model and to achieve the goals in the Lisbon strategy for a competitive European knowledge-based economy. International co-operation is crucial in order to pursue scientific excellence, exploit the opportunities presented by the new generic technologies and find new ways of promoting sustainable development. Norwegian institutions and enterprises are ready to engage in bilateral research projects and to act as host organisations for research fellowships as partners in EU-funded multinational research consortiums and other co-operation arrangements.

The contact points on the right will be pleased to discuss possible co-operation projects. They can also assist you in finding suitable partners and provide examples of projects, both in the areas highlighted above and in other research-related areas in line with the Memoranda of Understanding signed by the beneficiary states.

Contact your local Norwegian Embassy if you need further assistance.

The Research Council of Norway

The Research Council of Norway (RCN) is the national funding agency for research in Norway. It also plays a key role as an adviser on research policy to the government. The RCN is responsible for the entire spectrum of research activities – ranging from fundamental research to innovation. 

The RCN plays an important role in Norway’s international research co-operation, and is the body responsible for implementing bilateral and multinational research co-operation agreements.

Through the EEA Agreement Norway participates as a full partner in the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6). As the Norwegian co-ordinating body for FP6 co-operation, as well as for Eureka and COST, the RCN plays a significant role in strengthening Norway’s ties with the European research community.  

This provides good opportunities for co-operation and network-building across sectors and disciplines. The RCN is involved in an ongoing dialogue with research communities, trade and industry, public administration and other actors, both in Norway and abroad, about future priorities and areas of co-operation.

The RCN is therefore a natural contact point for anyone wishing to explore the possibilities of co-operating with Norwegian partners.

Resource centre for researcher mobility

The Research Council of Norway has established a resource centre for researcher mobility as part of the European Network of Mobility Centres. The centre serves the needs of researchers both in Europe and other parts of the world. Universities, colleges and other institutions use this centre actively to advertise vacant positions and scholarships and to announce new opportunities to visit and work at the institution. 

The Norwegian Council for Higher Education (UHR)

The Norwegian Council for Higher Education is a co-operative body for Norwegian universities, specialised universities and university colleges (the former state colleges). The aims of the Council are:

• to develop strategies for the Norwegian system of higher education institutions;
• to promote co-ordination and division of labour within the higher education sector; and
• to serve as a common instrument for the member institutions in their international co-operation.

Innovation Norway 

The state-owned company Innovation Norway promotes nationwide industrial development profitable to both the business economy and Norway’s national economy, and helps release the potential of different districts and regions by supporting innovation, internationalisation and promotion.