Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal (Thematic Priority Call)

Funding is available for projects that generate knowledge about how to meet major societal challenges and crises in a democratic, effective and sustainable manner. 

Societal challenges and crises related to, for example, climate and environmental change, inequality, green transformation, and digitalisation are characterised by their complexity and that they transcend national borders. The responsibility is divided between actors within different sectors and at different levels. This creates interdependencies and requires new forms of cooperation and coordination. We know a lot about the challenges, but there is a great need for knowledge about solutions and the effects of measures and instruments in addressing these complex challenges. 

Grant applications must demonstrate that the project is clearly related to the Portfolio plan for Democracy, governance and renewal, and addresses at least one of the following areas in section 4.2 "Thematic priorities": 

• Civil security, emergency preparedness and resilience 
• Democracy, trust and legitimacy 
• Public sector organisation and governance 
• Projects must fall under at least one of the following areas: 
• risk assessment and management 
• civil protection and preparedness 
• the legitimacy, governing and implementation capacity of the political and administrative apparatus' 
• cooperation and coordination across sectors and administrative levels 
• interaction between the public sector and the private and/or voluntary sector 
• implementation and effects of measures and policy instruments 

Priority will be given to projects of relevance to societal security.    

If the applications are relevant to the points above, priority will be given to projects that:  

• has active collaboration with at least one other national research institution 
• has concrete plans for international cooperation, such as co-publication or mobility 
• cover cross-sectoral issues 
• are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary 
• has good gender balance in the project group 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Funding is also available for Collaborative Project to meet societal and industry-related challenges:   

• Societal security, democracy, governance and administration 
• Areas under pressure 

Funding is available for research that continues and renews the National Election Study. The results from the project will provide knowledge about the Norwegian national elections, voter behaviour and political divides. The National Election Study is aimed at the general public, the political environment, the public administration and research environments. 

The National Election Study will be organised as an 8-year project (2024-2031), starting no later than August 2024. The research organisation awarded the project must enter into collaboration with research groups at other national research organisations, and should seek collaboration with international researchers. 

The project is expected to build on the results of previous national election studies, while at the same time further developing the survey's theoretical framework and methodological scheme. It is important to maintain the longitudinal survey, at the same time as the study's framework is further developed. 

In the project you will:  

• have active collaboration with at least three other national research organisations 
• have Norwegian as their main language 
• publish the results of the survey in a book no later than two years after the general election 
• make the research data collected in connection with the project publicly available and hand them over to NSD upon publication of the research results 

If the applications fulfil the requirements above, priority will be given to projects that:   

• has concrete plans for international cooperation, such as co-publication or mobility; 
• occupies a leading role in international electoral research; 
• includes recruitment position(s); 
• are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary; 
• has good gender balance in the project group. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Funding is available for research on challenges and opportunities of particular relevance to low- and lower-middle income countries. 

Projects must fall under at least one or more of the following areas: 

• poverty, inequality and exclusion 
• education, skills and labour 
• peace, violence and fragile states 
• access to food and food security 

We aim to fund 1-2 projects that provide detailed evidence on the complexity of challenges related to migration, climate change, violence and development.   

You can read more about these challenges in the Portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations, chapter 4.2.1 on displacement and migration and chapter 4.2.2.  

If the applications are relevant to at least one of the points above, priority will be given to projects that (the points are explained in more detail below):  

• have partners from low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) 
• meet the requirements for equitable partnerships 
• involve users 
• take ethical aspects into account when doing research on vulnerable groups 
• contribute to a gender balanced portfolio 

You must have partners from low- and lower-middle income countries 

The project must include partners from low-  and  lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) defined in the OECD DAC list as "least developed countries, low income countries, and lower middle income countries and territories which are not LDCs".  Note that both versions of the list (22/23 and 24/25) can be used. The collaboration must be based on principles for equitable partnerships.  

Partners from Colombia will be considered as partners from low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs), as Colombia is a partner country for long-term development in Norwegian development policy.    

Research organisations in high-income and upper-middle-income countries outside Norway may also be partners in the project but may receive a maximum of 30 per cent of our total funding.  

You must meet the requirements for equitable partnerships 

The grant application and attachment 'Relevance to the topic' must also provide concrete and clear answers to how the project will satisfy the following requirements for equitable partnerships: 

• equitable sharing of funds and institutional costs with partner institutions in LLMICs. The distribution of funds and costs to partners in LLMICs must be commensurate to their expected roles, involvement, and responsibilities in the project   
• equitable sharing of credits, e.g., scientific analysis, authorship, intellectual property rights and dissemination 
• strengthening of individual competence and institutional capacity in partnering institutions in LLMICs. The project must include at least one doctoral or post-doctoral candidate at a partner institution in LLMIC  
• co-leadership with project managers from LLMIC institutions on the scientific content of the project 

More information about the requirements for equitable partnerships can be found under "4.4. Structural priorities" in the Portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations and Guidelines for responsible international cooperation (How to achieve equality in partnerships?). Additional advice on the practical approach to equitable partnerships can be found in the document "Four Approaches to Supporting Equitable Research Partnerships" developed by UKCDR and ESSENCE.  

You must include users 

Good user involvement is important for achieving useful research results that can be put into practice. In the application and the attachment to relevance, you must also describe how users, such as decision-makers, public administration, civil society organisations and citizens, are involved in the planning and implementation of the project and utilisation of the results. 

You must take ethical aspects into account  

When performing research involving vulnerable groups, ethical aspects such as the capacity to give consent and data collection and/or data processing must especially be taken into account. Projects concerning children and adolescents are to preserve and safeguard their perspectives, needs and rights.  

Gender balance in the portfolio 

We strive for good gender balance in our portfolio. This means that, in the event of otherwise equal conditions, priority will be given to projects that contribute to a better gender balance. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

In addition to these funds, we are also announcing the following with a deadline of 13 March 2024: 

• Collaborative Project to meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges with the theme Areas under pressure. Funding is earmarked for projects with partners in South Africa. 

Funding is available for research on health improvements for vulnerable populations in low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs). The research must be relevant to Sustainable Development Goal 3 "Good health for all" and one or more of the targets. 

NOK 30 million is earmarked for cooperation with Indian partners. The purpose of these funds is to strengthen Norwegian-Indian cooperation. 

Grant applications must clearly describe how the projects will contribute to closing an identified research gap and demonstrate that they have the potential to: 

• contribute, directly or indirectly, to substantial reductions in the disease burden in LLMICs 
• promote health equity in LLMICs 
• contribute to new insights that are also relevant to policy and practice beyond the specific setting and context in which the studies are carried out 

You can also read more under "Global health" in the Portfolio plan for global development and international relations. 

You must have partners from low- and lower-middle income countries 

The project must involve partners from low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs) defined in the OECD DAC list as "least developed countries, low income countries, and lower middle income countries and territories which are not LDCs". Note that both versions of the list (22/23 and 24/25) can be used. The cooperation shall be based on principles for equitable partnerships.  

Partners from Colombia will be considered partners from low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs), as Colombia is a partner country for long-term development in Norwegian development policy.  

Research organisations in high-income and upper-middle-income countries outside Norway may also be partners in the project but may receive a maximum of 30 per cent of our total funding for the project.  

The grant application and the attachment 'Relevance to the topic' must also provide concrete and clear answers to how the project will fulfil the following requirements for equitable partnerships:    

• equitable sharing of funds and institutional costs with partner institutions in LLMICs. The distribution of funds and costs to partners in LLMICs must be proportionate to their expected roles, involvement, and responsibilities in the project. As a general rule, at least 20% of the Research Council's allocation should cover costs incurred by the partner institutions in LLMICs 
• equitable sharing of credits, e.g. scientific analyses, authorship, intellectual property rights and dissemination 
• strengthening of individual competence and institutional capacity in partner institutions in LLMICs. The project must include at least one doctoral or post-doctoral candidate at a partner institution in a LLMIC  
• co-leadership of the proposed scientific agenda with investigators from LLMIC institutions. 

More information about requirements for equitable partnerships can be found in section 4.4. "Structural priorities" in the Portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations and in the Guidelines for responsible international cooperation (How to achieve equality in a partnership?). Other advice on the practical approach to equitable partnerships can be found in the document "Four Approaches to Supporting Equitable Research Partnerships developed by the UKCDR and ESSENCE".   

You must include users 

Proper user involvement is important for achieving useful research results that can be translated into practice. Projects must be based on user needs. Users must be represented in all phases of the project. It is a requirement to include decision-makers and other relevant stakeholders at policy level, such as ministries of health or the WHO, as users in the project and as members of a project steering committee. Grant applications must also describe how partners and users, such as patients, citizens, civil society organisations, health workers and health administrative personnel, are involved in the planning and implementation of the project and utilisation of the results. 

You must take ethical aspects into account 

When performing research involving vulnerable groups, ethical aspects such as the capacity to give consent and data collection and/or data processing must especially be taken into account. Projects concerning children and adolescents are to preserve and safeguard their perspectives, needs and rights. 

Gender balance in the portfolio 

We strive for good gender balance in our portfolio. This means that, in the event of otherwise equal conditions, priority will be given to projects that contribute to a better gender balance. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Russia will be an important country to watch for years to come, regardless of the war with Ukraine and even with a stalemate. Russia is Norway's neighbour, and any instability or economic deteriorating situation can create political strains and worsen the social and regional situation near our borders. 

Communication with the Russian leadership in the future will require knowledge of the internal work and decision-making processes knowledge that will help reduce the risk of misunderstandings, misconceptions and miscalculations. 

In the application, we would like you to identify relevant issues and debate what this will mean for the formulation of Norwegian foreign and security policy in the years ahead, and what issues this may entail. 

The areas are described in more detail in the Portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the project's thematic focus fits with the call for proposals. The template can be found at the end of the call. 

Support limits:  You can apply for a maximum of NOK 7 million in funding per project. If your application is granted and you have applied for more than the upper limit of NOK 7 million, the excess amount must be covered by own financing. In such cases, the project must still be implemented as described in the grant application.  

The EU faces several external and internal challenges. Freedom of expression and the rule of law continue to be challenged in some member states, and in the geopolitical arena, the war in Ukraine is a burden and a driving force for political craftsmanship. The objective of this call is to promote knowledge about the complex set of challenges facing the EU and Europe in the areas of security, economic competitiveness, trade, technology and global influence. 

We would like you to identify relevant issues and debate what this will mean for the formulation of Norwegian policy in the years ahead, and what issues this may entail. 

The areas are described in more detail in the Portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

The template can be found at the end of the call. 

Support limits: You can apply for a maximum of NOK 7 million in funding per project. If you apply for more funding than is permitted for this topic, we expect you to cover the excess amount in other ways and carry out the project in accordance with the original application.

We need new, climate-friendly energy technologies to achieve the climate goals, ensure that more people have access to climate-friendly energy and further develop a competitive Norwegian business sector in the energy sector. Many technologies have reached maturity that means that they can already be used and be part of the solution to reach the climate goals set for 2030. To ensure that we reach the goals of a zero-emission society in 2050, it is necessary not only to further develop today's technology, but also to find new, ground-breaking technology. 

This thematic area focuses on new, advanced battery materials and aims to ensure competence building and stable recruitment to energy research within a technology area where there is a great need for new solutions and potential for future value creation. 

Feel free to contact us before writing an application to ensure that your project falls within the relevant topic and that it represents a sufficiently radical renewal. 

In the assessment of the relevance criterion, we will emphasise that the project:  

• represents a radical renewal from familiar and already studied concepts and from already commercial technology 
• will be able to contribute to significant improvements in one or more of the following areas: efficiency, operating and capital costs, environment and sustainability 
• will contribute to competence building and recruitment to energy research and industry in Norway 
• has high relevance for the energy transition and the energy system in Norway 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Portfolio assessments 

The marks awarded for the main criteria Excellence, Impact, Implementation and Relevance will mainly determine which projects succeed in the competition. 

When choosing among projects of approximately equal quality, we will strive for a balanced project portfolio that covers the breadth of the portfolio. 

We also strive to achieve a good gender balance among project managers in our portfolio. This means that, under otherwise equal conditions, priority can be given to projects that contribute to a better gender balance

Funding is available to build knowledge and technology to reduce emissions and improve the environment, safety and the working environment associated with the petroleum industry on the Norwegian continental shelf. 

Projects eligible for funding within this topic must fall under at least one of the following thematic areas: 

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and the environment 
• major accidents and the working environment 

The thematic areas are described in more detail in the portfolio plan for Petroleum. Research training of doctoral and/or post-doctoral research fellows should be included as a significant part of the application. 

The project should also contribute to research-based teaching at master's level. 

Priority will be given to projects that can document that the research falls within at least one of the following two areas: 

• areas where there may be conflicts of interest, and where independent research without industry participation will be a strength for the research; 
• areas where the industry does not have a major self-interest in the research, but where the societal effects are large and more important than the effects on value creation and benefits directly to the industry. 

Projects where it is expedient and beneficial to establish collaboration with the industry must apply under the call Knowledge-building Project for Industry.  

In 2024, we wish to prioritise projects targeting energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions related to petroleum activities on the Norwegian continental shelf. If the application is relevant for this priority, you must give an account of the estimated total emission reductions for the technology/technologies the project intends to develop, including quantitative greenhouse gas inventory. You must also describe the time perspective and framework conditions for implementing the knowledge/technology and see it in the context of the industry's new climate targets for 2030 and 2050. 

Delimitation 

All applications must clearly target the petroleum industry. The portfolio board will only prioritise projects where the technology is directly applied in the Norwegian petroleum operations and linked to the thematic priorities set out in the Portfolio plan for Petroleum. Grant applications primarily targeting the renewable energy sector, including CCS, geothermal energy, offshore wind and hydrogen, are not eligible to apply for the thematic area petroleum. Applications that fall outside the scope of the topic will be rejected. 

Relevance 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. This includes: 

• the two thematic areas 
• contributions to competence building and recruitment of PhD and postdoctoral fellows  
• the topic's other priorities and delimitations 
• the requirements and characteristics of the call 

Portfolio assessment 

We will strive for a balanced overall project portfolio that covers the breadth of the areas described above and contributes to the implementation of the portfolio plan for Petroleum and the R&D strategy OG21.   

Funding is available for research on marine ecosystems that will increase the understanding of ecosystem structure, function, variation and change.  This is important knowledge to facilitate long-term, sustainable management of Norway's coastal and marine areas. 

Norway's marine areas range from coastal ecosystems to ecosystems far out at sea, from temperate ecosystems along the coast of southern Norway to ice-covered areas in polar regions. They encompass ecosystems in the seawater and on the seabed, and in shallow and deep waters.. Projects to receive funding under this call must address at least one of the knowledge needs listed under Structure, Function or Variation and change, respectively: 

Structure 

• knowledge  about the biology, ecology and distribution of species and functional groups 
• knowledge about the existence of different habitats and nature types and how they affect the distribution of organisms 
• development and use of new methods and technology to generate more knowledge about the structure of the ecosystems, ranging from genetic to biological diversity 

Function 

• knowledge about mechanisms that regulate species dynamics and knowledge of how species affect one another 
• understand core processes within marine ecosystems related to functional groups of organisms, the food web and biogeochemical cycling of substances in and between trophic levels, ocean circulation, spatial distribution, and different transition zones (e.g. pelagic-benthic, ice edge-open waters, land-water) 
• mapping and understanding the processes in marine ecosystems 

Variation and change 

• knowledge about the drivers and impacts of variation and changes in ecosystems structure and functioning 
• improve our understanding of the potential impacts of altered species distribution patterns and increased occurrence of alien species 
•  knowledge about how changes in ecosystem components may escalate into trophic cascades 
• impacts of climate change and ocean acidification on individual organisms and marine ecosystems The relevance of the application will be assessed on the basis of how well the application meets one or more of the knowledge needs listed above. In addition, the purpose of the application must be relevant to Norwegian conditions. 

Funding for research stays abroad and support for events will not be announced separately in 2024 for marine projects. This type of activity can be included in the application. 

The same thematic area "research on marine ecosystems" is also available under the call Researcher Project for Early Careers. In addition, the following opportunities can be found in the call Collaborative Projects to meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges, under Cross-cutting topics; "Areas under pressure" and "Research on relationships between food, environment, climate and public health". A link to the calls for proposals can be found under Other relevant calls for proposals with the same topic. 

Funding is available for projects that enhance knowledge about the climate and earth system. Projects are to contribute to increased understanding of processes and interactions between components of the climate system, and to further develop or apply new methods to increase knowledge about climate variations on different time scales. 

Projects eligible for funding must address key processes and links within or between one or more of the following points: 

• atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere and/or cryosphere 
• the role of the polar regions, abrupt climate change, tipping points and global links 
• how political decisions, technological solutions, land use and nature-based solutions, resource development and human activities may affect the climate system in the short and long term 

Projects must deliver knowledge that is relevant to climate trends in Norway and polar regions. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Among the projects worthy of support that are awarded funding, we wish to include a project that: 

• contributes to improved projections, forecasts or scenarios of future climate change and extreme events 
• includes the Antarctica , or/and
• has international partners from the USA or Canada. 

For applications for research in Antarctica, an agreement with the Norwegian Polar Institute or other relevant logistics and infrastructure providers is required. The reference to the agreement must be explained in the relevance attachment to the proposal. 

Wounds and development of wounds is a well-known fish health problem that leads to reduced welfare, mortality and downgrading in the Norwegian aquaculture industry. Last year, injuries from delousing operations and winter wounds were among the biggest challenges for fish welfare (Fish Health Report 2022). The incidence of winter wounds has been increasing and is particularly problematic in terms of animal welfare. 

The topic of the call is limited to prevention of wound formation and the conditions for wound healing. Wound development and wound healing are usually an interaction between several factors such as handling, microorganisms (bacteria, viruses and parasites), host factors (immune status, nutrition, genetics, etc.) and environmental factors (temperature, water quality, etc.). 

This call topic is targeted towards biological issues. Projects based on technology may consider the call topic Food and Bioresources, and the title How to improve fish welfare in the development and use of aquaculture technology in the call Collaborative Projects to meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges.  

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Support for events and funding for research stays abroad will not be announced separately in 2024 for aquaculture projects. Funding for this type of activity can be included in the application. 

Support limits: We expect to fund three projects.   

Partners that are not approved research organisations may not be included, but user groups may be included in the projects, e.g. as reference groups. 

Funding is available for research rooted in the social sciences, law and/or humanities of relevance to the aquaculture sector. 

A sustainable Norwegian aquaculture industry requires profitability, knowledge-based management and good societal support. There is a need for increased knowledge about many aspects of the Norwegian aquaculture sector. This includes economic, societal, humanistic and/or legal perspectives. This could be, for example: The definition of an acceptable framework for further growth, the industry's spin-off effects and corporate social responsibility, knowledge and understanding of various authorities' and markets' requirements for trade, production and products, the importance of ownership structure, company structure and/or organisation for profitability, but also recruitment, reputation and societal acceptance. This is not an exhaustive list, and all issues relevant to the aquaculture sector and rooted in the social sciences, law and/or humanities can be searched. 

Funding is available for both Researcher Projects for Scientific Renewal (this call) and Researcher Project for Early Careers, and applications will to some extent compete across these two calls. 

Funding is also available for Collaboration Project to meet societal and business challenges. For applications for land use, see the thematic area Cross-cutting topics.

Support for events and funding for research stays abroad will not be announced separately in 2024 for aquaculture projects. Funding for this type of activity can be included in the application. 

Support limit 

A maximum of NOK 10 million in funding may be sought per project. If your application is granted and you have applied for more than NOK 10 million, the excess amount must be covered by own financing. In such cases, the project must still be implemented as described in the grant application. 

In total, we expect to fund at least one, perhaps two, researcher projects for renewal. 

Partners that are not approved research organisations may not be included, but user groups may be included in the projects e.g. as reference groups. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Funding is available for research that will help safeguard Norway's particular responsibility for developing research-based knowledge so that the Sami people can safeguard and develop the Sami languages, Sami culture, society and industries. Funding is announced jointly with the Welfare and Education Portfolio. 

Projects within all thematic areas in the Portfolio plan for Sami are relevant, but we particularly wish to prioritise research that falls under the area "Childhood, adolescence and education", as described in chapter 4.1, item 4 of the portfolio plan. Norway as a nation have a particular responsibility for Sami education. A safe and good childhood and adolescence is important for the individual's well-being and life skills. There is a need for more knowledge about vulnerable children and young people, and how the education sector, in interaction with other sectors, can be an arena that prevents. See chapter 4.2 in the portfolio plan for Education and competence. 

It will also be viewed as positive if research on cultural resilience is included in the project. 

The areas are described in more detail in the Portfolio plan for Sami, see Relevant plans below.  

In addition, priority will be given to projects that have 

• national and/or international institutional cooperation 
• recruitment positions 
• international comparative perspectives based on the Sami context 

When we award a mark for how the application meet the relevance to the topic selected, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

High employment and a workforce with relevant expertise are crucial for value creation, competitiveness and a sustainable welfare society. National and global transitions affect, and require a good understanding of, the competence needs and competence requirements of working life. Far more people will need new skills during their working lives. Education, qualifications and lifelong learning are crucial for the individual's participation in working life and society, and for the individual to be able to exploit their full potential, irrespective of any national or global transitions.

Funding is available for research that provides knowledge about competence for an adaptable and inclusive working life. This includes how we can secure a workforce with the necessary skills throughout an entire working life, and how we can include those with a weak attachment to working life and prevent dropout. Research on how interventions have societal, institutional and individual effects will also be relevant. 

For applications that concern working life or education, but that do not primarily concern competence, we refer to other thematic areas under the thematic area Welfare and education. 

If the application is relevant to the research topics, this will be viewed as positive if:  

• the project is interdisciplinary across disciplines, see Norwegian classification of scientific disciplines - subject groups level 2.  
• You have specific plans for collaboration with at least one other Norwegian research organisation. The partners' tasks in the project must be clearly stated in the grant application. 
• They have specific plans for collaboration with at least one international research organisation. The partners' tasks in the project must be clearly stated in the grant application. 
• the project plans to use PIAAC figures. New figures will be published in 2024.  

When awarding marks for how the application meets the relevance to the topic selected, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

The enormously rapid and far-reaching development of artificial intelligence (AI) and related technologies presents several great and new challenges and opportunities. Funding is available for research that sheds light on the consequences of such digital technologies for culture and society. 

Grant applications addressing the consequences – i.e. significance, challenges and opportunities – of AI and related technologies must fall under one or more of the following areas: 

• consequences for cultural life and sector, including issues of copyright, authenticity, creativity in art and cultural expressions, the economic sustainability of cultural institutions and practitioners 
• consequences for the media sector, including questions of truth and authenticity in news and other matters, content management, echo chambers, journalism and the role of the media as the "fourth estate", the economic sustainability of the media 
• consequences for democracy and trust, including freedom of expression, debate and critical public sphere, legitimacy and support for key social institutions (political system, administration, the welfare society and the media themselves) 
• consequences for daily life's culture, interaction and social relations, participation and belonging 

Within the four areas above, research on legal, economic and other types of regulation and management of technology development and application will also be relevant. 

The priority areas are anchored in the Portfolio plan for Welfare, culture and society, especially in priority points under main priority area 1, "The social, political, cultural and economic sustainability of the welfare society", and 4, "Media, culture and diversity" and the cross-cutting dimension "Digitalisation and technology". 

Projects that have technology development as their main objective, or that primarily intend to carry out Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) on AI and other technologies, will not be eligible for funding under this thematic call. At the same time, good AI competence will be useful and/or necessary in research on the consequences of AI and related technologies for culture and society. 

If the project primarily concerns working life and/or competence, we refer to the calls for proposals Working life and Competence under the thematic area "Welfare and education".   

If the applications are relevant to the thematic points above, priority will be given to projects that: 

• have emphasis in scientific disciplines, issues and perspectives within the humanities and/or social sciences  
• entails radical interdisciplinarity in issues that require efforts from several disciplines (cf. Subject groups level 2 in the Norwegian division of scientific disciplines)  
• have active research collaboration with at least one other national research institution and one researcher or research institution internationally. The partners' assignment in the project must be clearly stated in the grant application. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Portfolio assessment 

The applications awarded funding are intended to strengthen the humanities' share in the portfolio. 

Funding is available for research that will enhance the knowledge base for a well-functioning, sound, responsible, inclusive and adaptable working life with high employment. This includes research on work-related crime and legal research. 

Projects are to address the knowledge needs described under thematic area 2 "A well-functioning, adaptable and inclusive working life" in the portfolio plan. Relevant research questions may overlap with, or have links to, the other thematic areas of the portfolio plan. 

Depending on the quality and relevance of the applications, the portfolio board will prioritise: 

• Two projects that will increase our knowledge on influencing factors, consequences of, and/or drivers and barriers to social dumping and work-related crime, including research on measures 
• One project with emphasis on legal research. This priority applies to the breadth of the thematic framework of the call 

Grant applications that primarily concern competence will not be given priority, as this is a separate topic in the call; see Competence for working life under the thematic area Welfare and education.   

The research must address conditions in or with relevance to Norway. At the same time, research where Norwegian conditions are part of international comparative studies is welcome. 

If the grant application is relevant to the research topics, it will be viewed as positive if the project  

• is interdisciplinary across disciplines, see Norwegian classification of scientific disciplines - subject groups level 2.  
• includes specific plans for collaboration with at least one international research organisation. The partners' assignment in the project must be clearly stated in the grant application. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. 

Funding is available for research on and for the education sector. Funding is available for projects relating to teaching and learning, the content and forms of assessment of education, professional education, education technology, governance and organisation of the education sector and the role of the education system for the individual and in society and working life. 

The aim is to generate high-quality knowledge that is of particular interest to actors and stakeholders related to policy formulation, administration and practice fields in education, learning and competence development. Projects are to promote knowledge-based development. We encourage projects that are interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary when this serves the purpose. 

Projects must fall under at least one of the following four areas: 

• The importance of education for the individual and for society and working life 
• Teaching and learning 
• Professional education and competence development 
• Governance, management and organisation 

The areas are described in more detail in Chapter 4.2 of the Portfolio plan for Education and competence.  

If the applications are relevant to the points above, priority will be given to projects that have:   

• active collaboration with at least one other national research organisation; 
• active collaboration with at least one research organisation abroad; 
• recruitment positions. 

When awarding marks for the application's relevance, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above.