Mandatory Outlines as the Basis for Grant Applications for Research Infrastructure
Please note that it is not possible to revise a project outline once it has been submitted. Please do not click on the “Submit” button before the outline is finalised for submission.
The deadline for submission of project outlines is 27 May 2020 1 PM CET.
Purpose
Only applicants who submit a project outline under this call will be qualified to submit a complete grant application under the main call for proposals for the National Financing Initiative for Research Infrastructure (INFRASTRUKTUR) with the deadline of 18 November 2020. Applicants who have not submitted a project outline by the deadline of 27 May 2020 1 PM CET will not be eligible to apply for funding under the main call for proposals.
About the call for proposals
Roughly NOK 1 billion in Research Council funding is available for research infrastructures of national importance. This also includes Norwegian participation in international research infrastructures. The main call for proposals has a submission deadline of 18 November 2020 and encompasses all disciplines, thematic areas and technology areas.
The main call for proposals will be issued in the second half of June 2020. The text of the call will provide information about the funding available and priority areas.
The application process for funding under the INFRASTRUKTUR initiative has two phases. In the first phase of the application process applicants are required to submit mandatory outlines.
The main aim of mandatory submission of outlines is to promote better national coordination and interaction between different institutions and research infrastructures that operate within the same area. Therefore, the Research Council will publish the project titles, project summaries, and the names of partners and contact persons listed in the outlines to make it easier for research groups with similar infrastructure needs to contact one another and collaborate on grant applications under the main call for proposals.
The research infrastructure described in the outline must support the development of research areas of national priority and industries of national importance with a need for access to relevant research infrastructures.
The framework for the Research Council’s prioritisation of research infrastructure investments in different areas is described in the following documents:
- The area strategies set out in the Norwegian Roadmap for Research Infrastructure 2018 (an updated version is to be published in April/May 2020 and will apply to the main call for proposals);
- The Norwegian Government’s Long-term plan for research and higher education 2019–2028 (pdf in Norwegian).
Funding may also be allocated to infrastructures of relevance to basic and/or applied research of particularly high calibre.
Research infrastructures for which funding is sought must be so well prepared that investment can begin in the course of 2021. The Research Council may award funding for research infrastructure for a period of up to five years.
Who is eligible to apply?
Only approved Norwegian research organisations and publicly funded managers of research infrastructure that cooperate closely with Norwegian research organisations are eligible to submit an outline.
Who can participate in the project?
Requirements relating to the Project Owner
The organisation listed as the Project Owner in the grant application form must have approved the submission of the application to the Research Council.
Requirements relating to partners
Research organisations, publicly funded managers of research infrastructure that cooperate closely with Norwegian research organisations, and other organisations or companies may participate as partners in infrastructure projects.
What can you seek funding for?
There is no funding available under this call for outlines.
The costs that may be covered with funding under the call for proposals with the application deadline of 18 November are described in the document What type of research infrastructure is eligible for funding? (pdf).
In general, funding may be sought for the following:
- establishment and/or upgrades of all types of research infrastructures of national importance as defined in the strategy document Tools for Research – National Strategy for Research Infrastructure 2018–2025 (pdf in Norwegian);
- coordination and national adaptation of shared services based on existing research infrastructures;
- upgrade or expansion of existing research infrastructures of national importance.
The call also encompasses Norwegian participation in international infrastructures, including infrastructures on the European Strategy Forum for Research Infrastructure (ESFRI) Roadmap.
Additionally, in special cases support is available for basic funding for operation. For more information, see Tools for Research – National Strategy for Research Infrastructure 2018–2025.
Relevant thematic areas for this call
The call for project outlines is not limited to any specified thematic areas.
Research infrastructure
Practical information
Requirements for this application type
- The designated project outline template must be used. The template is found at the end of this call.
- Outlines must be submitted in English.
- Outlines and contact information must not exceed six pages combined. It is not possible to upload project outlines that exceed the page total stipulated.
Applicants will receive automatic email confirmation of receipt as soon as the outline has been received by the Research Council. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the submission has been received. Please note that it is not possible to revise a project outline once it has been submitted.
Assessment criteria
Feedback will not involve a scientific or strategic assessment of the research content of the proposed project, and there are no special assessment criteria applied in this phase.
Administrative procedures
The outlines submitted will not be assessed in terms of strategy or scientific basis. If the project does not appear to satisfy the requirements for applying under the main call for proposals for the 18 November deadline, the applicant will be notified of this via brief feedback by 12 June 2020.
All applicants will receive an overview of the titles, summaries, partners and contact persons for all submitted outlines by at the latest 12 June 2020.
Messages at time of print 10 December 2023, 17:23 CET