The Research Council's awards

Individuals and members of the research community are invited to submit nominations for the first two of these awards. The annual deadline for submission of nominees is publicised on the Research Council website and through a variety of other channels.

The Award for Outstanding Research (Møbius Prize)

The Research Council’s Award for Outstanding Research rewards excellence in research achieved nationally as well as internationally. The award is granted on the basis of documented results, and is intended to encourage further research activity. It may be conferred within any subject field and discipline.
The award may be granted to individuals or groups, including interdisciplinary research cooperation groups. Award-winners receive the sum of NOK 1 million and the Møbius statuette, designed by Norwegian sculptor Åse Texmon Rygh.

The Award for Excellence in Communication of Science

The Research Council’s Award for Excellence in Communication of Science is given to a researcher who has demonstrated outstanding ability and innovation in communicating the results of his or her research. The award may also be granted in connection with exemplary efforts to promote Norwegian research or knowledge about the significance of research to society.

The award is intended to reward the use of original, creative communication measures, and the initiative must be directed toward the general public. The award may be granted for all types of dissemination through all types of media, and for activities that have taken place over time or as a specific effort. It comprises a cash prize of NOK 250 000, and may be conferred for communication in connection with ongoing or completed research activity.

The Innovation Award

The Research Council's Innovation Award (formerly called “Norway's Most Innovative Company Award”) is given to a business or public entity that has demonstrated an outstanding ability to apply research results and exceptional innovative capacity. The winner must have contributed to value creation - in either a commercial or a social sense.

The Research Council is seeking to highlight Norway's innovation champions, and thereby encourage others to pursue research-based innovation activities.

Eligible candidates for the Innovation Award are businesses or public sector organisations that have or have had support from the Research Council's user-driven innovation programmes. A jury consisting of both internal and external members selects the winner. The award comprises a cash prize of NOK 500 000.