Research will provide the key for developing solutions to many challenges facing society today in areas such as health, climate and energy. The objective of the national financing initiative for research infrastructure is to provide researchers with the equipment they need in order to perform high quality science and efficiently meet the needs of the business sector for high-calibre research.

In addition, the initiative aims to enhance the Norwegian research community’s international reputation as a provider of outstanding research infrastructure.

Different categories
Research infrastructure eligible for funding has been divided into the following categories:
• Advanced scientific equipment
• Large-scale research facilities
• Scientific databases and collections
• Electronic infrastructure (eInfrastructure)

In addition, support will be provided for Norwegian participation in establishing the research infrastructure defined in the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures’ (ESFRI’s) Roadmap.

National function
The Research Council will allocate funding for research infrastructure of national importance. This refers to infrastructure components that:
• are of widespread national interest;
• lay a foundation for internationally cutting-edge research;
• will be available in only one or a few locations in Norway (as a general rule);
• will be made accessible to relevant researchers and industries.

Support will not be provided under this initiative for basic equipment that several different research institutions are expected to have or for infrastructure that costs less than NOK 2 million.