Collaborative Project to Meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges

The allocation of funds will be decided on September 26 during the board meeting of the Portfolio Board for Democracy and Global Development. We will publish the allocation details and inform all applicants of the outcome shortly thereafter

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 12 million  

The available funds will be used for projects that generate knowledge about regarding Norway's ability to prevent and manage incidents that threaten fundamental values and functions and endanger life and health. 

Delimitations 

Norway is currently facing a demanding and complex threat and risk picture. Ensuring societal security and emergency preparedness depends on joint efforts and cooperation between the authorities, the industry sector and civil society to achieve sufficient resilience. Loss of functionality in critical infrastructures and disruptions in supply chains can have major negative impacts. Ultimately, this can threaten the structures of the society, people’s lives and health and national security. In order to deal with these challenges in the long term, we need knowledge about the changes in society's values that can threaten resilience and trust in society. 

There is a lack of knowledge, both in the private and public sectors, and the challenges require collaboration across sectors. Threats and crises must be addressed in a democratic, effective and sustainable manner with a holistic and systemic approach that considers social, cultural, economic, political, technological, legal and ethical aspects. 

The projects must address societal security, emergency preparedness and resilience in Norway, Norwegian sea areas and/or the polar regions. Proposals must encompass at least one of the two overarching areas and touch on at least one of the five thematic areas below: 

Overarching topics 

• risk assessment, governance and management at local, regional and national levels, including the emergency preparedness system and physical and cyber security 
• political and administrative governance capacity and implementation capacity, threats to trust in society, as well as geopolitics and international relations 

Thematic areas 

Societal security, emergency preparedness and resilience related to: 

1. security of energy supply, critical energy infrastructure, as well as oil and gas installations on the Norwegian continental shelf - including onshore facilities 
2. national food security and food supply, included fisheries crime 
3. serious natural events, such as the prevention and management of droughts, floods, landslides and other types of natural hazards 
4. research on issues of importance for policy-making and Norwegian interests in the Arctic and Antarctica 
5. civil preparedness related to trust and resilience in the population 

The projects may address one or both overarching topics and more than one of the thematic areas. 

See the applicant webinar - societal security, emergency preparedness and resilience (note that the topic and funding framework were expanded after the seminar was recorded. Video in Norwegian language only). 

Relevance 

In the relevance assessment, we will emphasise on whether the project: 

• will contribute significantly to at least one of the overarching topics and at least one of the five thematic areas above 
• provides knowledge and/or new solutions, and has a concrete and realisable plan for how it will be used in society 
• strengthens cooperation in research, innovation and competence development across sectors and through interdisciplinary perspectives 
• deals with societal security, emergency preparedness and resilience in Norway, Norwegian sea areas and/or the polar regions 

Portfolio assessments 

We will strive for a balanced project portfolio that covers the breadth of the overarching topics and thematic areas described above. Priority will be given to proposals with issues that goes across challenges and knowledge needs in sectors and academic communities. 

Some terminology 

• By emergency preparedness, we mean planned and prepared measures that enable us to manage undesirable incidents so that the consequences are minimised.  
• By societal security, we mean society's ability to protect itself against and deal with various forms of crises and stresses that threaten fundamental values and societal functions, and endanger life and health.  
• By sustainability, we mean a development that satisfies today's needs without destroying future generations' opportunities to satisfy their needs. The four dimensions of climate and environmental, social, cultural and economic sustainability must be seen in context.  
• By interdisciplinary, we mean projects across the disciplines of the humanities, social sciences, technology, agriculture and fisheries, mathematics and natural sciences.  
• By cross-sector /across sectors, we mean that the projects' issues must apply to several sectors, areas of activity and/or society.  

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 12.5 million  

Funding is available for projects that develop knowledge for integrated and sustainable use and management of land, including terrestrial, marine, coastal and freshwater  

For research of relevance to low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMIC), see also the separate section at the bottom of the thematic text. 

Relevant research topics may include coexistence, biodiversity, cultural environments, environmental impacts, use and utilisation of land and natural resources, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, energy transition and renewable energy, agriculture and forestry, aquaculture, fisheries, issues in the polar regions (Arctic and Antarctica), migration and conflict, infrastructure development and urbanisation. 

The theme covers all areas: land, freshwater, coast and sea 

Delimitations  

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

• Well-functioning coexistence between different societal considerations, interests and business activities 
• Barriers and opportunities for more integrated management and use of land, natural resources and/or cultural environments with regard to climate and nature 
• Reduced consumption of land and natural resources for just transition in a global, generational or indigenous perspective 
• Circular solutions and measures for the use and management of land as a scarce resource 

The project may combine several of the research areas. 

We are also announcing NOK 95 million for areas under pressure as a Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal.    

Relevance 

When we award a mark for the application's relevance, we will consider the extent to which the project 

• Is about land use issues 
• has cross-sectoral issues 
• is interdisciplinary at level 1 in UHR's division of subject areas   
• is relevant to Norwegian areas or Norwegian conditions 
• has a concrete plan for how the knowledge is to be used as quickly as possible by the target groups 
• meets the requirements for equitable partnerships when dealing with partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) (see Particularly for applications with partners from low- and lower middle-income countries) 
• strengthens individual competence and institutional capacity in partner institutions in LLMICs when it includes partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries 

Portfolio assessments 

• The portfolio board wants the projects we fund to cover the breadth of the four research areas in this topic. 
• The portfolio board wants to fund 5-6 projects that have partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMIC). 
• The portfolio board wants more of the projects that receive funding to include partners from the industry sector. 

Watch the applicant webinar for Areas under pressure (link to come). 

Particularly for applications with partners from low- and middle-income countries 

Please note that projects with partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs) have been granted an exemption from the requirement to include at least two Norwegian partners that are not research organisations. Projects with partners from LLMICs must include at least one from Norway and at least one from LLMICs that are not research organisations in order to fulfil the requirements for a collaborative project. Foreign companies are not eligible for funding from the Research Council and cannot be included in the requirement for a partner that is not a research organisation. 

By low- and lower-middle-income countries, we mean partners that are in countries defined in the OECD DAC list as "least developed countries, low-income countries, and lower middle-income countries and territories which are not LDCs". Partners from Colombia will be considered as partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).  

Applications with research organisations or other partners from LLMICs must specify how the project meets the requirements for equitable partnerships in the application and in the attachment "Relevance to the chosen topic": 

• The distribution of funds and institutional costs to partners in LLMICs must be equitable and commensurate to their expected roles, involvement and responsibilities in the project 
• Sharing of credits, e.g. scientific analyses, authorship, intellectual property rights and dissemination must be equitable 
• You must demonstrate joint leadership with project managers from the LLMIC institutions on the scientific content of the project 

Why are we announcing the funding? 

There is a need for increased knowledge and solutions on sustainable use, safeguarding and management of land and natural resources. Land use is an important driver in the nature and climate crises, and must therefore also be an important part of the solution. New knowledge is crucial, among other things, for achieving the goals of the Nature Agreement. The Climate Committee 2050 has shown that a lack of coordination between the sectors is a challenge for climate and nature considerations in Norway. At the same time, access to suitable and sufficient acreage is important for many different sectors. We need new knowledge as a basis for balancing interests in order to ensure coexistence between the sectors. Research must have an overarching societal perspective on the challenges. There is a need to shed light on conflicts, power, dilemmas, opportunities and options for action. 

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 12.1 million  

The areas food, environment, climate and public health affect each other and have many interdependencies. In light of the current situation with a changed security picture and climate changes, there is a need for increased knowledge about the connections and mutual influences between food, the environment, the climate and public health. This will be important in order to be able to anticipate changes and develop effective strategies and solutions for adaptation, prevention and prioritisation. 

For example, climate changes can affect the environment, food production and public health, and food production can affect the environment and the climate while also having an impact on nutrition and health. Public health goals, on the other hand, can have an impact on food production and on climate and environmental issues. The  One Health - NIPH or food system may be a possible approach to this topic.   

We expect to award funding to at least eight projects. 

Delimitations 

The funding announced will go to research that looks at the connections and interaction effects between the three areas 1) food, 2) the environment and/or climate, and 3) public health, and that contributes to new insights into the interactions between them. The research must be relevant to Norwegian conditions. 

• Food (sea and/or land-based) includes everything that can be linked to the production of food, slaughter/harvesting, processing, sales, food as culture, etc. 
• The environment includes ecosystems and biodiversity, ecosystem services, economic and cultural valuation of nature, cultural environments and landscapes, pollution and environmental toxins. 
• Climate includes the climate system, climate change, climate adaptation and measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
• Public health includes everything that directly promotes the health and well-being of the population, prevents mental and somatic illness, injury or suffering, or protects against health threats. 

The applications must include elements from all three areas mentioned above and emphasise looking at direct connections and interaction effects between them. An element is understood here as a defined task, work package or equivalent that is carried out and/or led by people with relevant R&D expertise. 

Relevance 

When we award a mark for the application's relevance, we will consider the extent to which the application: 

• Includes research on direct connections and interaction effects between: 
  • food 
  • the environment and/or climate 
  • public health 
• includes elements from all three areas 
• is relevant to Norwegian conditions 
• describes the involvement of formal partners and representatives of users in the planning, implementation and dissemination and utilisation of the results 

Portfolio assessments 

In its assessments, the portfolio board will take into account the following factors when allocating funds: 

• thematic distribution of projects and that the projects together cover the breadth of the call 
• the marks awarded in the assessment of the applications 

We are announcing a limited amount for this topic. For the best utilisation of the funding announced, the requested funding compared to the total project funding will also be given weight. 

Watch the applicant webinar for Food, Environment, Climate and Public Health, second half of January 2025 (link to come). 

Maximum amount of aid: NOK 12 million 

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

Delimitations 

You must clearly describe how the project will contribute to closing an identified research gap, and demonstrate that it has the potential to 

• contribute, directly or indirectly, to substantial reductions in the disease burden of LLMICs 
• reduce health inequity 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 conducted 

This topic is described in the portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations under priority 4.2.3. Global health. Read this for more information, clarifications and delimitations. 

Requirements for partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries 

Please note that applications for the topic of global health have been granted an exemption from the requirement to include at least two Norwegian partners that are not research organisations. Collaborative projects in global health must include at least two partners that are not research organisations, of which at least one must be from LLMICs in order to meet the requirements for collaborative projects. The requirement that at least 10 per cent of the project's total costs must be used by this type of partners is also applicable here. Please note that these costs may be covered by the Research Council's allocation to the project.

Foreign companies cannot receive funding from the Research Council and will not be included in the requirement for a partner, but they can participate as an R&D provider. 

By low- and lower-middle-income countries, we mean partners that are in countries defined in the OECD DAC list as "least developed countries, low-income countries, and lower middle-income countries and territories which are not LDCs". Partners from Colombia will be considered partners from low- and lower-middle-income countries (LLMICs).  

Research organisations in high-income countries and upper-middle-income countries outside Norway may also be partners in the project, but may receive a maximum of 20 per cent of our total funding. 

Equitable partnerships 

In the application and in the attachment "Relevance to the project", you must clearly specify how the project addresses the following points regarding equitable partnerships: 

• The distribution of funds and institutional costs to partners in LLMICs shall be fair and 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 the LLMICs. 
• Sharing of credits, e.g. scientific analyses, authorship, intellectual property rights and dissemination, must be equitable. 
• Strengthening of individual competence and institutional capacity in partner institutions in LLMICs shall be ensured. The project must include at least one locally recruited PhD or postdoctoral candidate at a partner institution in LLMIC. 
• You must demonstrate joint leadership with project managers from the LLMIC institutions on the scientific content of the project. 

Find more information about the requirements for equitable partnerships 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?). 

User involvement 

The projects must be based on the users' needs and challenges. End users must be represented in all phases of the project. In the application, you must describe how you include decision-makers and other relevant actors at policy level, such as ministries of health or the WHO. 

Relevance 

When we award a mark for the application's relevance, we will consider whether the project 

• meet the delimitations described further up in this text 
• fulfil the requirements for partners from LLMICs 
• ensure the points on equitable partnerships with partners from LLMICs 
• ensure user involvement 
• is clearly strategically anchored with the partners (cf. mandatory letter of intent). 

Portfolio assessments 

The portfolio board will strive for a balanced project portfolio that covers the breadth of the areas and topics under the prioritisation of global health in the portfolio plan. 

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 10 million  

Delimitations 

The funds will be used to build knowledge about CO2 capture and storage (CCS). 

You can apply for funding for the following research areas: 

• New technology for CO2 capture from larger point sources 
• CO2 capture from air (often referred to as direct air capture, DAC) and CO2 capture combined with biomass (often referred to as BECCS, Bio Energy with CO2 Capture and Storage)  
• New expertise that closes knowledge gaps in CO2 transport 
• New concepts that can provide safer and more cost-effective CO2 storage 
• Socio-economic and social science research on topics that can promote the implementation of CO2 capture and storage (CCS) on a large scale. Pure social science projects must address topics that can realise CCS for land-based industry. 

In addition, the applications must meet the topics described in CLIMIT's work programme. 

We encourage you to include PhD education in the applications, but it is not a requirement. 

For technological projects, only applications that deal with new concepts can be supported. Funding cannot be applied for projects that are an incremental improvement of existing technology. The project description must clearly state why the application is a new concept and not an incremental improvement of existing technology. Applications that appear to be incremental improvements to existing technology will be rejected before peer review. 

Applications must support the objectives of the EU's SET-Plan. 

Relevance 

When we set the mark for the application's relevance, we will consider whether the project 

• includes the use of ECCSEL Research infrastructure 
• has several user partners who are well integrated into the project 
• has a scope that is realistic to implement within the amount applied for 
• deals with solutions that can accelerate the development towards the green transition 
• Includes PhD education 
• are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary 
• have a good gender balance 

Portfolio assessment 

The marks on the four main criteria will mainly be decisive for which projects that will be funded. 

For projects of close to similar quality, priority will be given to projects that address BECCS or contribute to developing new knowledge about incentives, policy instruments, regulations and business models 

If you want to see what we already have in the portfolio, go to the Project Bank. Here is a relevant link: 

• CO2 Capture and Storage (CCS)  

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 12 million  

Funding is available for research projects that deal with the societal changes that must be put in place in order to succeed with the energy transition and the consequences of the energy transition on the climate and nature. 

The energy transition requires contributions from disciplines such as the humanities, social sciences, law and natural sciences. Key users of the research will be the public sector, the business sector and society in general. The research may have an international focus, but must also be relevant to decision-makers in the energy sector in Norway. 

The topic is described in the portfolio plan for Energy, Transport and Low Emissions under priority 4.1 a) Energy transition and impacts on society, climate and nature. In the document you can find more information, clarifications and delimitations.   

Important topics include energy-related knowledge about: 

• Society, restructuring processes, involvement, culture, values and attitudes, etc. 
• Policy and administration, processes, legislation and regulations, etc. 
• Economics, policy instruments, new business models, distributional effects, etc. 
• Climate, natural consequences of energy infrastructure, resource use, etc. 

The topic is not open to projects that will develop new technology or that aim to increase competitiveness and turnover for industry players in the long term. Instead, you must submit your application to the call Knowledge-building Projects for Industry. Choose the topic Up to NOK 190 million for research on environment-friendly energy (link opens in a new window).  

Please note that we are also announcing NOK 183 million for Areas under pressure - research on knowledge about the holistic use and management of land in Norway. You can find the thematic text for this topic under Cross-cutting topics further up. We are also announcing NOK 82 million for Sami, Kven/Norwegian-Finn’s and Forest Finn’s cultural and social development in the call Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal (link opens in a new window).   

Please contact us if you have any questions about which call/topic you should apply for. 

Relevance 

When we assess the application's relevance, we will consider whether the project 

• will contribute significantly to the challenges described in Chapter 4.1 a) 
• has a major impact on the energy challenges in Norway 
• will look at issues where the public sector and public administration are the most important users of the results 
• is designed in such a way that it is not in the interest of the business sector to contribute partial financing of the research organisations' costs 
• includes doctoral education 

When our requirement for partners can weaken the project's independence and credibility 

Under this call, the project must be carried out by one or more research organisations in effective collaboration with at least two relevant actors from one or more sectors of society (this is listed under "Who can participate in the project"). 

In some cases, however, the issues at hand and conflicting interests may hinder the inclusion of certain key actors. In such cases, omission of actors or institutions subject to research, or omission of other key actors in the field, will not have a negative impact on the assessment of the project. 

Please note that you must still meet the participation requirement through participation from other partners. This could be, for example, organisations with a broader societal perspective or public actors. Why key actors are not involved must be explained in the mandatory relevance appendix. 

In other cases, it may also be that the participation of special actors may create doubts about the project's independence and credibility.  In such cases, you should pay extra attention to ensuring that the project's management is organised in such a way that scientific independence is safeguarded. 

Portfolio assessment and priorities 

The marks on the four main criteria will mainly be decisive for which projects make it to the competition. 

For projects of approximately equal quality, we will prioritise projects that: 

• can provide rapid implementation of new regulation, new solutions and services in critical areas for the energy transition so that we achieve Norway's emission reduction target in 2030, and/or 
• research on controversial and/or system-critical topics and with a particular need for independent funding 

If you want to see what we already have in the portfolio, go to the Project Bank. Here are some relevant links 

• Energy policy, economics and social issues 
• Energy policy, environmental impacts and sustainability  

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 16 million 

Funding is available for research that contributes to sustainable health-promoting and preventive measures, treatment and services for vulnerable population groups, including the following earmarks: 

• NOK 15 million for projects with a significant humanities component, to promote humanities perspectives and interdisciplinarity. 
• NOK 15 million for projects that deal with research on measures to prevent and treat gambling addiction.  The funds for this purpose are from the Ministry of Culture. 

Vulnerable population groups are not a singular group, but are characterised by individuals with vulnerability due to gender or minority challenges, socio-economic conditions, health problems, environmental challenges, or social or cultural exclusion. Vulnerable population groups include children and young people, people with disabilities, minorities and immigrants, people with mental illness, people with multiple chronic diseases, drug addicts and people with dementia. 

The projects should ensure good health, care and welfare services across the entire spectrum from preventive public health measures to treatment and rehabilitation. There is a need for research that provides knowledge about effective and accurate treatment and service pathways adapted to the needs of vulnerable users. Vulnerable population groups are largely not included in clinical trials evaluating treatment efficacy, diagnostics and rehabilitation. We are therefore looking for applications that deal with clinical research, both in the primary and specialist health services, for these groups. Furthermore, research is needed on how the health, care and welfare services and primary and specialist health services can better interact and be adapted based on the users' needs and coping. Cooperation with actors who are close to vulnerable groups, including the voluntary sector, is crucial to ensure that services and support reach those who need it most, and to complement the efforts of the public health service. 

Vulnerable population groups experience exclusion to a greater extent, social inequality in health and loneliness. We want research on targeted measures that reduce these challenges and research that, based on knowledge about the social and cultural background, prerequisites and needs of the various vulnerable groups, can strengthen health literacy in order to even out health inequalities. Competence about one's own health is an important factor for good public health and will counteract undesirable variation in the use and access to services. In addition, awareness of ethical issues is particularly important in research that involves vulnerable population groups and is intended to safeguard their perspectives, needs and rights. 

Requirements for user participation 

The project must involve end users of the research. Researchers should work closely with vulnerable populations to better understand their needs and challenges. This can help create more relevant and effective measures that can be better implemented in practice. 

In the application, you must describe how both partners and representatives of end users are involved in the planning and implementation of the project and in the utilisation of the results. 

Delimitations 

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

• health-promoting and preventive public health measures 
• diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of diseases 
• quality, interaction and efficiency in the health, care and welfare services 

Projects that are funded must have outcome targets in health and/or health and care services. 

Applications with an average mark from the panel equal to or above 5.0 will be assessed for relevance by the administration. If there are many applications of high quality and the amount applied for in applications is more than three times the available budget, the threshold value for relevance assessment will be raised. 

Relevance 

In the relevance assessment, we will consider whether projects include: 

• effective and relevant measures that can be implemented in practice 
• measures that help to strengthen health literacy in vulnerable population groups 
• Interaction between the health, care and welfare services 
• humanities perspectives 
• transdisciplinary collaboration that includes relevant actors and end-users 
• projects that use health data where relevant 

Portfolio assessments 

The Portfolio Board for Health wants a portfolio of projects that cover a wide range of vulnerable population groups and that fall under the three areas of preventive measures, treatment and services. 

The portfolio board wants projects aimed at minorities and people with disabilities to be prioritised in this call. However, this does not exclude strong applications that target other vulnerable population groups.  

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 16 million 

Funding is available for projects that contribute to increased value creation, profitability and sustainability throughout the agricultural value chain, from primary production through industrial processing and all the way to the consumer. Sustainable food production, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, encompasses both the economy, social conditions and environmental and climate considerations. Where relevant, projects should include life cycle and sustainability analyses. 

Delimitations 

The research should contribute to achieving at least on of the current agricultural policy goals (Report No. 11 to the Storting (2016-2017)):  

• Food security and emergency preparedness 
• Increased value creation 
• Sustainable agriculture with lower greenhouse gas emissions 
• Agriculture all over the country 

The research will result in applied solutions that are of great benefit to the industry, in line with the needs of the market. Applications must refer to existing challenges, issues and knowledge gaps, and how the project will specifically respond to these and contribute to achieving the agricultural policy objectives. The boards of FFL and JA encourage interdisciplinary collaboration where appropriate. 

Growth and innovation 

Innovation contributes to growth and value creation, and to solving small and large challenges. There is a close correlation between innovation and productivity growth. In grain and vegetable production in particular, there is a potential for increased production with the goal of a larger Norwegian share and increased self-sufficiency, in line with political guidelines and market needs. 

The following areas are particularly relevant: 

• identification and exploitation of Norwegian advantages in a changing climate and market 
• product development and processing that contributes to new, or increased utilisation of, Norwegian raw materials for both food and feed 
• development of knowledge and methods for increased utilisation of residual raw materials in the value chain for food and beverages for the development of new and profitable products 
• insight into consumer behaviour and market acceptance of new products 
• development, adaptation and use of new technology and new methods that contribute to efficiency at all stages of the value chain, such as automation, robotisation, information technology and sensor technology 
• combination of different technologies 
• further development of methods and collaborative solutions for collection, analysis and use of large amounts of data 

Food security and emergency preparedness 

The Government's goal is to increase Norway's degree of self-sufficiency, increase food preparedness, increase resource utilisation and reduce vulnerability in the value chains for national food production. This is a follow-up to Meld. St. 11 (2023–2024) on increased self-sufficiency and the targeted social mission of sustainable feed. 

The following areas are particularly relevant: 

• knowledge of measures and consequences related to soil protection 
• strengthening the supply capacity of the food and beverage value chain 
• technological solutions and tools that contribute to efficient, sustainable and less vulnerable operation and production systems 
• anti-resistance strategies against plant pests in agriculture and horticulture and against disease-causing organisms in livestock farming 
• monitoring plant and animal health, as well as the prevention and control of new and existing diseases in animals or plants 
• variety development and plant breeding, as well as cultivation methods adapted to regional conditions 
• practical and economically feasible operating solutions and production systems for increased animal welfare and good animal health 
• solutions for maintaining or increasing grazing in the outback 
• knowledge that can help strengthen education and increase recruitment to agriculture and the food and beverage industry 

Sustainable value chains and food systems 

Sustainable food production, in line with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals, encompasses both the economy, social conditions and environmental and climate considerations. The value chain for food is of great importance for employment and value creation throughout the country, and can contribute to the green transition in the Norwegian economy. 

The following areas are particularly relevant: 

• overall analyses of food and production systems 
• development of sustainability indicators adapted to Norwegian conditions 
• economic and social sustainability in food production 
• development of new knowledge and methods that contribute to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, increased carbon sequestration and strengthened climate adaptation in agricultural value chains 
• issues that include the relationship between climate and sustainability, and the connections between food production, climate and the environment 
• map and solve climate and environmental challenges as a result of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture and the food industry and their impact on ecosystems, the aquatic environment and biodiversity 
• new knowledge, methods and management systems to ensure good soil health, including ecological farming methods and culture-specific soil health measures 
• profitable and sustainable value chains for optimal production and utilisation of food and feed resources 
• energy efficiency and emission-free energy solutions 
• reducing and preventing food waste 

Healthy diet and food safety 

Norwegian agriculture and the food industry must ensure that consumers have safe food and drink. Good animal and plant health and good animal welfare, including reduced use of medicines and pesticides, are important prerequisites for this. Furthermore, there is a need for increased knowledge about various risk factors in all parts of the value chain and how to reduce these. 

The following areas are particularly relevant: 

• increased knowledge about consumer trends and behaviour, diet and the role of food for health and nutrition 
• food safety using circular sources 
• transfer of harmful substances to food and feed crops 
• documentation of animal health and welfare 
• use of biotechnology, including genetic engineering 
• safe and sustainable packaging and packaging technology, for proper shelf life and reduced food waste 

Priorities for 2026 

Reference is made to guidelines in Prop. 105 S (2023-2024) on prioritisation of projects that will contribute to knowledge development in order to make faster progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production. This is particularly related to breeding work, sustainable food systems, increased self-sufficiency, better resource utilisation and sustainable feed based on Norwegian resources, including insects for feed and fertiliser. 

In addition, the boards will prioritise projects that can contribute to increased innovation and growth in the green sector, and increased production and utilisation of Norwegian cereals and protein crops. There is also a need for increased insight into the driving forces in the market for cereals and vegetables. 

The projects are financed by the industry itself through payment of research fees on agricultural products and transfers through the agricultural agreement. When prioritising the applications, the boards of FFL and JA will emphasise the industry's knowledge needs, whether the application meets at least one of the four agricultural policy objectives, ongoing research and the distribution between product groups. 

Relevance 

The following guidelines will be included in the relevance assessment: 

• The application meets all the general requirements set out in the call. 
• The research must be adapted to Norwegian conditions. 
• The applications should include economic and social perspectives where applicable. 
• The results of the research will benefit the industry as quickly as possible. User-friendly and targeted dissemination measures are assessed positively. 
• Actors from the agricultural and food industries must be significantly involved in the project to ensure business and social relevance. 
• Collaboration between actors from the aquaculture industry and agriculture may count positively where relevant, as long as industry actors from the agriculture-based value chain are still significantly involved in the project. 

About the announced framework and the start of projects 

Reservations are made regarding the Storting's budget decision on R&D funding through the Agricultural Agreement and future revenues and budget decisions for the Fund for Research Levy on Agricultural Products for 2026. The amount granted may therefore deviate from the announced limit. 

The earliest start-up for projects funded by FFL/JA is 1 January 2026. 

Maximum amount of aid: NOK 15 million  

We will support industry-oriented projects where research organisations collaborate with industry actors to solve knowledge challenges with the help of biotechnological method development and expertise. 

Delimitations 

Biotechnological research must be a central part of the project. The project is carried out in line with the principles for responsible research and innovation (RRI help page).   

Relevance 

We will prioritise applications: 

• where the industry has at least 20 per cent of the total project costs 
• where the industry leads one or several work packages in the project 
• where a substantial part of the project is industrial research according to the state aid definition. 

Portfolio assessments 

The applications are ranked according to the average mark for the four assessment criteria. The portfolio board wants a more balanced portfolio within biotechnology in terms of area of application. Priority will therefore be given to applications that have agriculture as their primary area of application. Priority will then be given to applications with the greatest business involvement. 

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 6 million 

The aim of this topic is to strengthen research, research competence and collaboration on R&D activities in the museums. 

Delimitations 

Funding is intended to stimulate and support collaboration between research organisations and museums outside the research sector, meeting the museums' need for knowledge and research expertise. The topic is open to all scientific disciplines and research areas. 

At least one museum that is not an approved research organisation must be included as one of the two partners outside the research system in the project. The project application must be relevant to the participating museum(s) and to the museum sector.  Museums are defined as non-profit institutions that engage in the collection, conservation, registration, research and dissemination that is accessible to the public (cf. the International Museum Organisation ICOM). 

The project must include the recruitment of a doctoral research fellow. The remaining funds in the project are to be used for other research activities. These may include salary for researchers, support for networking activities, event support and support for publication related to the project, etc. 

Relevance 

When we assess the relevance of the application, we will also consider: 

• How the project is strategically anchored with the partner(s) (cf. mandatory letter of intent). 
• The role the research organisation and the collaborating museum(s) have in the project, and how they work together. 
• How the doctoral project is relevant to the collaborating museum(s) and to the museum sector. 

We will also consider to what extent the project has concrete plans for the collaborating museum(s), and if relevant, any other partners’ active participation in: 

• Research activities in the project beyond the doctoral grant 
• Communication and dissemination of the project's results 

Portfolio assessments 

The portfolio board seeks a portfolio of projects that broadly cover the museum sector in terms of scientific disciplines and thematic areas 

Funding is available for research that will provide knowledge for cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary work to include children and young adults in society, education and employment. 

Click this link for a webinar with more information about these funds (the video is in Norwegian).  

Delimitations 

There is a need for knowledge about what ensures the safety ,security, participation, inclusion and development opportunities for children and young adults aged 0-29, to reduce their exclusion from society, education and employment. 

Coordination across policy areas, on all levels, is essential for including children and young adults, and solutions for improved coordination and cooperation across sectors and administrative levels are needed. 

The goal is for children, young adults, and their families to receive coherent and comprehensive services of good quality when needed. 

Funding is available for projects that enhance knowledge-based cooperation across different sectors. The projects must contribute to new approaches and working methods, as well as better interaction, solutions and measures. The aim is to build high quality knowledge for policy development, public administration and the field of practice. 

We seek applications from different fields and sub-fields of research, across sectors, that integrate current research perspectives, and relevant user perspectives from social work, kindergartens and schools, education, working life, the voluntary sector and/or health. 

The research must have clear user involvement and be based on users' needs. User perspectives must be secured in the application. Users (of the research) can be involved through formalised collaboration (see requirements for the application type) and less formalised collaboration, such as participation in a steering or reference group. Formal partners must represent the challenge addressed in the project and ensure the cross-sectoral perspective is safeguarded. They must actively participate in formulating the research questions, planning and implementation of the research and the dissemination of results. 

This topic follows up the needs and challenges identified in the research and innovation strategy BarnUnge21(in Norwegian only), and must be seen in the context of the social mission to include more children and young people in education, employment and society. 

Relevance 

We will prioritise projects that: 

• has active collaboration with at least one other researcher or research institution in Norway. The partner's role and contribution to the project must be clearly stated in the application. 
• has active collaboration with at least one researcher or research institution abroad. The partner's role and contribution to the project must be clearly stated in the application. 
• have partners from at least two different service and/or sector areas so that the cross-sectoral perspective is safeguarded 
• are interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary 

Research on health can be of importance to the topic. However, we will not prioritise projects that are primarily health and care research as these topics have separate thematic texts. 

We also draw attention to calls for research projects on the sustainability of the welfare society, for and about the education sector and Sami, Kven/Norwegian-Finn’s and Forest Finn’s cultural and social development. 

Portfolio assessments 

The portfolio board strives to allocate funding to projects that collectively cover the thematic breadth of the call. 

Maximum amount of funding to be sought: NOK 12 million  

Funding is available for projects that strengthen research competence in teacher education. We are looking for strategic and practice-oriented research of relevance to the practice of the teaching profession. 

The aim is to strengthen research and the interaction between teacher education programmes, research and the field of practice. The projects will strengthen strategically important research areas for teacher education, which meet current and future competence needs. The topic also requests projects that collaborate with other teacher education programmes and projects that address relevant issues across educational levels and school subjects. 

Delimitations 

Only universities and university colleges that offer teacher education are eligible to apply. In the application, you must specify the Project Owner at department level, or an equivalent level at the institution. 

The thematic priorities for research for and about education are divided into four broadly defined thematic areas. The thematic areas are interrelated and are not mutually exclusive, so that issues may intervene across these. Projects must be relevant to at least one of the following four areas: 

• Teaching and learning. Learning and education is a continuous and lifelong process that takes place in many arenas of society. We need knowledge about how different children, young people and adults learn and develop in different contexts in the face of the future and new challenges.  
• Professional education and competence development. In order to have a stronger working life orientation and a continuously updated knowledge base, the aim is that the training programmes strive to link research, education and professional practice. There is a need for research for evidence-based practice and the development of tools, systems or models that can promote quality in practice throughout the education system, from kindergarten to higher education and working life.  
• Governance, management and organisation. Good management and well-functioning organisation are crucial for high quality in education and training programmes. In order to develop a future-oriented and flexible education system, we need more knowledge about how governance and management at and between different levels contribute to the development work.  
• The importance of education for the individual and for society and working life. Access to and facilitation of participation for all in the education system and in working life is of great importance for the individual's opportunities for a good life. There is a need for gender and diversity perspectives in research, including indigenous and minority perspectives.  

Relevance 

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

• actively collaborates with at least one Norwegian kindergarten owner/school owner 
• actively collaborates with at least one other national research organisation that may also be another teacher education programme 
• has project collaboration with a foreign research organisation 

Portfolio assessments 

When allocating funding, efforts will be made to distribute projects worthy of support between the various teacher education programmes. 

We are announcing funding for strategically based research of high quality and relevance to education and professional practice. The call is open to engineering and business administration programmes. 

Delimitations 

Only universities and university colleges that offer the above-mentioned programmes are eligible to apply. In the application, you must specify the Project Owner at department level, or an equivalent level at the institution.

Funding is available for projects that aim to strengthen the research-based basis for professional education and professional practice in the above-mentioned programmes. The projects are intended to build capacity and strengthen research within professional education through strategically anchored research of high quality and relevance to both education and working life. This will be done in collaboration with relevant users. 

You can apply for NOK 6–12 million in funding per project. Projects must fall under the area of: Professional education and competence development. 

The projects must: 

• have a high scientific quality and clearly formulated academic goals 
• strengthen research-based teaching in professional education 
• meet actual and future competence needs in education and professional practice 
• strengthen and support the institutions' strategic priorities related to the relevant professional education programmes 
• have a plan for dissemination and distribution of the results that ensures knowledge sharing and implementation among relevant target groups 
• have plans for the development of research competence and recruitment 

Relevance 

If the application is relevant to the points above, priority will be given to applications that: 

• collaborates with at least one other Norwegian research organisation 
• Includes international collaboration 

Portfolio assessments 

When allocating funding, efforts will be made to distribute projects worthy of support between the various programmes.