North America
Norway's scientific and technological cooperation with the USA and Canada has a long tradition, and the USA is the single most important country for Norway's international research cooperation.
North America is home to some of the most prestigious research institutions in the world, and research and development plays a major role in business and industry. Hence it is of vital importance that Norwegian institutions maintain and strengthen their contact with counterparts in the U.S. and Canada.
Funding instruments and initiatives
For the most part, international research cooperation, including that with the U.S. and Canada, is incorporated into grant proposals submitted to the Research Council in connection with a regular funding announcement. In addition, the Research Council has launched initiatives specifically designed to strengthen research cooperation with the U.S. and Canada and a few select countries.
The Leiv Eiriksson mobility programme aims to contribute to the long-term escalation of R&D collaboration with the U.S. and Canada by allowing more Norwegian researchers and research recruits to spend time in the U.S. or Canada, and more researchers and research recruits from these countries to spend time in Norway.
The Nordic Research Opportunity supports National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows who undertake stays of between two and twelve months to work with counterparts at Norwegian research institutions.
To encourage bilateral research cooperation, the Research Council will also provide national support for existing projects to develop new collaborative research efforts with partners in priority countries; first and foremost, the U.S., Canada, China, Japan and India.
Contact persons for R&D collaboration with the U.S. and Canada
R&D collaboration in general, and basic research: Berit Johne
R&D collaboration within strategic priorities: Thomas Hansteen
Innovation-driven R&D collaboration: Cathinka Holtermann
The Counselor for Science at Norway's embassy in Washington, D.C.
The Counselor for Science Mr. Lars Aukrust reports on research and research policies throughout the United States and Canada, and works to enhance cooperative research and development between Norway and North America. The Counselor also provides Americans with information about research and research policy in Norway. Moreover, the Norway-U.S. Forum for Research, Innovation and Higher Education organises an annual Science Week.
