By supporting basic research projects, FUGE lays the necessary foundation for good industry development.

As the first participant in Norway, FUGE has undertaken an investigation into the attitudes and expectations of Norwegian industrial leaders towards commerce. The majority of the industrial leaders asked believe that biotechnology will become as important for Norway in the future as oil and gas are today.

FUGE is currently developing its own strategy for industry development, which is likely to be adopted and made public some time during autumn 2006.

FUGE's measures for stimulating a sustainable Norwegian biotechnology industry are as follows:

• User-led innovation projects (BIP)
  User-led innovation projects assist in the process of starting up new businesses. The business must contribute with at least 50 % of the costs of the project, and funds from Skattefunn are assumed to be part of public financing.
  So far FUGE has supported 15 Norwegian biotechnology businesses, which makes up 14 % of the total amount of Norwegian biotechnology businesses.
   
• Knowledge-building projects with user involvement (KMB)
  Knowledge-building projects with user involvement contribute to long-term education of researchers and knowledge-building in research communities directed towards the industry, within fields with great significance for the development of Norwegian industry.
   
• Collaboration with FORNY
  FUGE co-finances FORNY's means for verification with NOK 3 million, connected to the verification of projects which are relevant for FUGE.
   
• Collaboration with Innovation Norway
  For more information about Innovation Norway (in English) click here.
• Norwegian Bioindustry Association
  More information about the Norwegian Bioindustry Association here.