New opportunities:
CoE scheme to continue at the same level
The first 13 Norwegian Centres of Excellence (CoEs) are approaching the end of their funding period. But the scheme is to continue, and both existing and new centres will be eligible to apply for funding under coming calls for proposals.
The new white paper on research asserts that the model, which involves providing a few exceptional research groups with particularly favourable economic conditions over a 10-year period, has been a success and should be continued. The Research Council's Executive Board recommends that the CoE scheme be continued at its current level, with regular calls for proposals every five years.
NOK 155 million in funding to be announced next year
The Executive Board recommends setting aside at least NOK 155 million each year to fund a new selection of CoEs when the 10-year period for 13 of the 21 current centres comes to a close in 2013. The first call for proposals will probably be issued at the end of 2010. The exact number of new CoEs will not be determined until the new centres are to be designated.
Existing centres may apply
Arvid Hall�
The Research Council has made it clear that new CoE applications may be based in existing centres, but new CoEs are not simply to be extensions of established centres. "In this way the Research Council is operating along the same lines as our neighbouring countries, Denmark and Finland, where renewal of research is a key requirement for reacquiring CoE status," says Director General of the Research Council, Arvid Hallén.
No guarantee of transition schemes
Today's CoEs cannot count on there being special transition schemes in place at the conclusion of the CoE period, and should plan their future research activities accordingly.
"As a funding instrument the CoE scheme is by nature time-limited. The assumption has always been that the host institutions should take responsibility for the centres' activities once the CoE period is over. How that will be accomplished in practice is up to each individual centre and each institution to determine," says Hallén. The Research Council will nevertheless assess the role it should play in relation to the centres when the CoE funding is being phased out.
- Published:
- 02.07.2009
- Last updated:
- 03.07.2009
See also
Contact
- Gro Helgesen Special Adviser +47 22 03 71 56 gh@forskningsradet.no
