Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal

Funding will go to the most ground-breaking research and the research with the highest scientific merit regardless of discipline or topic. We will fund the best projects in both basic and applied research that contribute to strengthening our national contingency knowledge. The funds should especially promote scientific quality at the forefront of international research and bold and innovative research.

Ranking of applications
Only applications that are awarded an overall assessment mark of 6 or 7, and 6 or 7 for the Excellence assessment criterion, are eligible for funding. We emphasise the ranking of applications in the panels.

Funds subject to special guidelines
In the topic ground-breaking research (FRIPRO) under the three calls Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal, Researcher Project for Young Research Talents and Three-year Researcher Project with International Mobility, funds are included from the Storting’s climate settlement and the technology boost in The Long-term Plan for Research and Higher Education:

NOK 24 million to renewable energy and carbon capture and storage
If your application is relevant to these funds, you must write the word ‘Energy’ in the field ‘Other relevant programmes/activities/projects’ in the application form.

NOK 25 million to basic ICT research for digital transformation
If your application is relevant to these funds you must write the word ‘ICT’ in the field ‘Other relevant programmes/activities/projects’ in the application form.

Administrative procedures
Applications for Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal that are relevant to funds subject to special guidelines, will initially be assessed on a par with other applications for Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal for ground-breaking research, within the ceiling of the NOK 900 million described above. Applications that qualify will be awarded funds from there. After that, the portfolio boards will allocate funds subject to special guidelines for relevant projects.

A total of NOK 150 million is available for Researcher Projects or Collaborative and Knowledge-building Projects within this topic.

To halt global warming, greenhouse gases must be reduced and food production must be better geared to the changing climate as well as to reducing the loss of biodiversity. Food systems contribute considerable to greenhouse gas emissions and have a direct impact on the loss of biodiversity on a global scale.

Our food systems give us access to healthy and nutritious food, but Norway nonetheless has the highest occurrence of obesity and overweight in the Nordics. By transforming our food systems, we can help to ensure an economic, social and public health, climate-related and environmental foundation for future proof. 

Funding is available for projects that will contribute to long-term sustainable food systems, promote competitive Norwegian industry and play a role in transforming food systems to operate within the planet's level of tolerance.

The goal of the topic is to generate knowledge about how the different parts of food systems work together, and which parts can and should be transformed. The projects can cover marine and/or land-based food production. 

To be eligible for funding, the application must:

• Address the interaction between different parts of one food system and/or between different food systems
• Take a future-oriented approach to finding a sustainable solution that encompasses the bigger picture rather than one type of production 
• See food systems in conjunction with biodiversity and environmental assets, climate and public health
• Discuss how knowledge-based solutions can provide more sustainable and innovative production methods
• Be based on system thinking

System thinking is a holistic approach to the analysis of how a system’s constituent parts interrelate, and how they work over time and within the context of larger systems.

Scaling up new knowledge is also essential in order to address the barriers that exist in today’s systems. System thinking is often related to responsible research and innovation (RRI). Co-creation and learning that involves the population and users is also a key aspect.

System thinking and RRI require new approaches to knowledge production. It is therefore necessary to integrate aspects such as public health, nature, climate and societal perspectives. This requires cooperation across sectors and stakeholders. For example, hunger, obesity, pollution, loss of biodiversity, antibiotics use, pesticides, greenhouse gas emissions, climate change, land-use conflicts, animal welfare etc. are always interrelated.

Priority will be given to projects based on system thinking that include life-cycle analyses, as well as projects that adopt a national role and involve a broad scope of actors in the relevant food systems.

In the assessment of the relevance criterion, we will also place emphasis on:

• The description of sub-goals under the UN Sustainable Development Goals the project addresses
• Interdisciplinarity across all disciplines and technologies
• RRI
• Life-cycle analyses
• Recruitment positions
• International cooperation

When a mark is awarded for the application’s relevance, we will assess how well it addresses the thematic areas and research challenges described above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

We seek to achieve a wide range of topics and approaches/application types among the projects recommended for funding based on the guidelines set out in the call for proposals.

Funding is available for research on the circular economy that targets one or more of the four areas; plastic, circular bioeconomy, consumption and framework conditions. A total of NOK 100 million is available, distributed between two calls for proposals: the one you are currently reading and Collaborative Project to meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges. Applicants are to select a call based on whether it is necessary or useful to have partners from outside academia. The calls are co-funded by the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, and NOK 20 million is earmarked for projects concerning plastic.

The vast majority of the resources used in the world today are only used once. In addition to the negative impact this has on natural diversity and the environment, our current resource extraction and processing generates major greenhouse gas emissions. The goal of a circular economy is to keep resources in circulation for as long as possible. The transition to a circular economy will require extensive reorganisation, including in resource extraction, business models, production patterns and consumer habits.

To be relevant for funding, projects must target one or more of the four areas detailed below and contribute to knowledge building for Norwegian conditions.

Plastic
To resolve the environmental and climate challenges plastic consumption creates, we need knowledge and innovation on several fronts. More knowledge is needed about consumer patterns and policy instruments that can lead to changed behaviour. Products must be designed that tolerate prolonged utilisation and reuse, and which can subsequently be broken down into their components in order to be repaired, re-utilised and eventually, go to material recovery. At the same time, we must develop technology that allows for a greater degree of material recovery of plastics than is currently the case. It is also necessary to gain an overview of harmful substances in plastic and to find methods of removing them. To increase the use of recycled plastic, more technical insight is required into its properties, as well as a better understanding of what requirements industry actors make of the material.

Circular bioeconomy
More knowledge is needed about renewable and circular alternatives that can advance the transition from fossil to renewable carbon for all organic chemicals and materials, including plastic. Bioeconomy encompasses all sustainable, efficient and profitable production, utilisation and refinement of renewable biological resources for food, feed, ingredients, health products, energy, materials, chemicals, fibre and other products. Cross-sector knowledge is also required to enable industrial symbiosis by using residual raw materials from one industry as a resource in another. All use of biological resources leaves environmental footprints. More knowledge is therefore required to develop bio-based industries within sustainable frameworks, with minimal negative impact on the environment, climate and ecosystems.

Consumption
Our current high level of consumption makes it challenging to achieve a circular economy. We need to know more about which factors influence consumer attitudes and choices, and what can contribute to lower and more responsible consumption. Knowledge is also required about how the design of products, services and systems can facilitate sustainable behaviour, for example the establishment of rental and sharing services. We also need to know more about how we can encourage recycling and reuse, including by facilitating product repairs and by changes in consumer behaviour. It is important to base assessments of environmental and climate impact on a life-cycle perspective, and to investigate the roles and responsibilities of different actors in this life-cycle, such as politicians, producers, consumers etc.

Framework conditions
Knowledge is required on how framework conditions in the form of laws, regulations and other policy instruments (e.g. taxation, fees, subsidies and producer liability) can facilitate circular resource utilisation and more use of recycled/secondary raw materials, and make circular business models more competitive. Little dialogue within and between value chains and disciplines has been identified as a challenge in this respect. We therefore seek more knowledge about these cross-sector challenges within all of the three areas described above.

On the basis of the descriptions above, the application is to address one or more of the following research challenges:

• How can new technology lead to increased material recovery of plastic?
• How can recycled plastic replace virgin plastic to a greater extent?
• How can the bioeconomy contribute to an environmental- and climate-friendly circular economy?
• How can the consumption of resources (including plastic) be reduced by e.g. new circular business models, sharing services, greener product design and/or changes in consumer behaviour?
• How can framework conditions be adapted to pave the way for a circular economy?

When a mark is awarded for the application’s relevance, we will assess how well it addresses the thematic areas and research challenges described above.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

The call for proposals is co-financed with the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund, which thereby has an advisory role in the recommendation of applications concerning plastic, and will be given access to the applications that qualify for funding within this topic. The Research Council assumes that all project participants read the call and are aware of the potential disclosure of confidential information to the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund. On submission of the application, the project administrator guarantees that all project participants consent to any confidential information in the application being shared with the Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund. The Norwegian Retailers’ Environment Fund is subject to a duty of confidentiality in relation to information it receives.

Funding is available for projects that will generate knowledge on how fundamental values in Norwegian society are challenged and maintained. This encompasses representativeness, democracy, participation and transparency, the role of various media and the challenges and opportunities brought about by the digitalisation of society. Circumstances that have been actualised by the current coronavirus crisis are particularly relevant.

Grant applications must clearly address the thematic priority areas set out in section 2.2 of the portfolio plan for Democracy, administration and renewal, concerning democracy, governance, administration and societal security. 

Democracy, governance and administration
Fundamental local, regional, national and international structures and structural changes in society form the premises for democracy, public governance and service production. This has become particularly evident during the current coronavirus pandemic. In different ways, the pandemic has put political processes, the exercise of authority, administration and service production under pressure. It has shown our vulnerability as individuals and a society, as well as Norway’s and all other countries’ dependence on well-functioning national and international cooperation.

The environmental, economic and social sustainability of our welfare society poses fundamental challenges and requires restructuring and innovation in both the public and private sector. There is a need for knowledge about the role of the public sector and how it can facilitate interaction with private and non-profit sectors to make society better equipped to address these challenges.

This includes the political and administrative system’s governance and implementation capacity, and which changes and reforms will be necessary and desirable. More knowledge is needed, among other things, about the consequences of structural reforms and change processes at the municipal and county levels. There is also a need for knowledge about state policy relating to the municipal level, municipal autonomy and local democracy, and the municipalities’ role in the exercise of authority, societal development and as service providers.

Projects eligible for funding under the topic democracy, governance and administration must fall under at least one of the following points:

• Internationalisation, state and local administration;
• Integration and sectorisation;
• Regions and urbanisation;
• Welfare state services and service providers;
• Equitable services and efficiency.

Societal security
Many trends relating to epidemics, climate change, digitalisation, increased flow of goods and services, migration, political unrest and the changing nature of crime are adding new complexity and creating new mutual dependencies in society. The ramifications of the current coronavirus pandemic clearly demonstrate the need for solid and knowledge-based work on societal security and a need for efficient and solid crisis management at all levels of society and among all actors involved. The crisis shows how laws and regulations, preparedness and access to supplies are put under pressure as a result of quarantines, the closing of borders and other restrictions regarding the use of infrastructure.

There is a need for knowledge to identify, understand and manage risks, threats and vulnerabilities in the context of societal development. In particular, there is a need for knowledge about how society can prepare for uncertainty and the unknown when faced with crises. To be eligible for funding, grant applications must be clearly related to the perspectives and thematic areas set out in the SAMRISK work programme. This includes circumstances that have been particularly actualised by the current crisis.

Projects eligible for funding under the topic societal security must fall within at least one of the following three points:

• Social structures, values and trust;
• Technology and societal security;
• New actors, organisational forms and responsibilities.

We prefer applications that address issues related to digitalisation and/or ICT security within these thematic priority areas.

As regards both thematic areas
When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also emphasise:

• Interdisciplinary collaboration
• National and international cooperation

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Portfolio assessments
Among the projects granted funding, we would like:

• Projects that thematically supplement, and do not overlap with, projects that already receive funding within the same topic.
• Projects within both democracy, governance and administration and societal security to be represented.

Funding is available for research on the economic handling of the Covid-19 pandemic in Norway and for comparison with economic measures introduced to mitigate impacts of former crises and with measures introduced in other countries. The research should be relevant to the Norwegian authorities.

The coronavirus pandemic has brought the world economy into a situation that is unprecedented in modern history. Extensive infection control measures in many countries have imposed severe restrictions on activities and businesses, and some have had to shut down. The economic activity dropped significantly in the first six months of 2020 and the unemployment rate increased drastically in a short period of time. 

To limit the adverse effects of the virus outbreak on the Norwegian economy, extensive economic counter measures was implemented in the course of spring 2020. In such situations, it will be particularly difficult to predict the measures’ effects, and time pressure may cause that the effects cannot be as thoroughly assessed before they are implemented as they would in a normal situation.

Several measures were stepped down during the summer, but some new measures were introduced in the autumn of 2020. Knowledge of the measures’ actual effects, for example, how companies and households change behaviour as a result of the pandemic and the measures, will be important in assessing what kind of measures should be used and when they should be implemented in a possible later crisis. What decision basis is required in such situations such as access to relevant data, knowledge of the actors' ongoing assessments of the situation, etc., will be useful for addressing future crises. 

Economic forecasts and decision-making are often based on observed historical relations in economic terms, and it will be useful to have insight into whether the relationships that normally govern household and business behaviour were changed through the pandemic.

Comparing the coronavirus crisis with other crises can increase our understanding of why different crises must be addressed in different ways, and it will be important knowledge when we encounter new crises. The same applies to a comparison with how the crisis has been handled and what effects the crisis measures have had on the economic development in other countries.

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

• Analyses of the economic handling of the coronavirus crisis in Norway, including the real-time decision basis and the effects of the measures that have been implemented
• A comparison of the coronavirus crisis in Norway and the economic measures that were implemented in previous crises, such as the financial crisis in 2008/2009 and the oil price drop in 2015/2016.

For both priority topics, a comparison shall be made of economic measures put in place in Norway with measures in other countries.

To be relevant for funding, the application must also include:

• A plan for dialogue with key users, such as the Ministry of Finance or other relevant ministries, throughout the project period
• A plan for how research results will be communicated to decision-makers, the public administration and the general public. We expect this communication to take place in Norwegian.

We will organise annual dialogue meetings between researchers who receive funding under this topic and key users of the research.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• Collaboration with at least one other Norwegian research organisation
• International cooperation
• Recruitment positions.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

We want both thematic priorities to be represented among the applications that are granted funding.

Funding is available for projects that generate knowledge in CO₂ capture and storage. Applications must be in keeping with the topics described in the CLIMIT Programme plan.

To be eligible for funding, the application’s main emphasis must be on social science research targeting the design of policy instruments, innovation processes and business models that can contribute to large-scale implementation of carbon capture and storage. Projects that entail social science research in combination with technological research are also relevant.

The applications must be related to the realisation of full-scale CO₂ capture and storage and be relevant to the Longship project, BECCS, or large-scale hydrogen production in combination with carbon capture and storage. Priority will be given to applications that include doctoral degrees.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we consider how well the application addresses the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for research on topics that are particularly controversial, and that must therefore be carried out without user participation and funding to ensure the credibility of results.

To be eligible for funding, the project must fall within the topic ‘Energy policy, economics and sustainability’.

This topic is explained in more detail on page 5 of the ENERGIX work programme and page 2 of the appendix to the work programme. Applications that fall under other topics in the work programme are not relevant.

In addition, the project must target especially controversial topics where public or private user participation and funding could weaken the credibility of results. Examples include areas with strongly conflicting public interests or environmental conflicts.

You must use the appendix ‘Relevance to the topic’ to describe why it is crucial that the project is organised independent of users. A lack of interest on the part of the users is not a sufficient reason. Please contact us if you have any questions.

Most issues under the topic ‘Energy policy, economics and sustainability’ are not especially controversial. In such cases, we believe that user involvement is important and necessary to ensure that the research is of high relevance and that results are disseminated efficiently. We encourage projects with such topics to apply under the call Knowledge-building Projects for Industry with the application deadline 17 February 2021.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we will consider how well the application addresses the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for research targeting more cost-effective, safe and sustainable production and use of hydrogen. See our information page Forskningsrådets hydrogensatsing 2021 (in Norwegian). 

Applications that fall under other energy-related issues are not relevant for funding under this topic.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• An outline of how the R&D project will progress until new and/or improved technology has been realised.
• Applications with a description of potential future value creation (section 2.2 of the project description).
• Whether relevant industrial players that can contribute to the future realisation of the technology have been involved, for example through participation in the project’s reference group.
• Whether the project includes PhD or post-doctoral positions

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that contribute to sustainable health improvements for disadvantaged populations in low- and lower-middle income countries (LLMICs). The research must be relevant to Sustainable Development goal 3 "Good health for all" and its targets.

Proposals must demonstrate their potential to

1. contribute, directly or indirectly, to substantial reductions in disease burden in LLMICs; 
2. promote health equity in LLMICs, and
3. produce higher-level insights of relevance to policy and practice beyond the specific setting and context where studies are carried out.

Further description of these points is outlined in Section 2.1. in the document on New Priorities on Global Health, see "Relevant plans" below.

Low- and lower-middle income countries are understood here to mean “least developed countries, other low-income countries, and lower middle-income countries and territories.” as defined in the OECD List of DAC Recipients.

Projects eligible for funding can address all thematic areas covered by SDG3 and all its targets. However, due to its significant potential to advance sustainable and equitable health improvements in LLMICs implementation research proposals will be given certain priority, see below.

Implementation research is defined broadly and includes research on interventions with proven efficacy as well as programmes and policies with the potential to substantially reduce disease burden and promote health equity. See definition on Section 3.3 in the document on New Priorities on Global Health.

Research proposals must include research groups and research organisations in LLMICs as collaborating partners. Research organisations in high-income and upper middle-income countries may also serve as partners in the project, but may receive a maximum of 30 per cent of the Research Council's total funding for the project.

The attachment "Relevance to the topic" must provide a concrete and clear answer to how the project will fulfil the following requirements for Equitable partnerships:

• Equitable sharing of funds and institutional costs with partner institutions in LLMICs.
• Plans for equitable sharing of credits, e.g. scientific analysis, authorship, intellectual property rights and dissemination.
• Include concrete plans for how the project will contribute to strengthening both individual and institutional capacity in the collaborating institutions in LLMICs,
• Demonstrate co-leadership of the proposed scientific agenda with investigators from LLMIC institutions.

Further description of these points is outlined in Section 3.6. in the document on New Priorities on Global Health.

To be relevant the proposal must also describe: the degree of user involvement, gender equality and innovation as defined in the document on New Priorities on Global Health.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we consider how well the application addresses all the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Assuming all factors relating to the points above are essentially equal, priority will be given to projects:

• with implementation research   
• with the highest mark awarded for the criterion Impact 
• with at least one Norwegian partner in addition to the applicant institution
• that include a doctoral and/or post-doctoral research fellowship position at a Norwegian research organisation and/or at an institution in a developing country

Funding is available for projects that generate knowledge and understanding within the areas of conflict, security, vulnerability and humanitarian issues.

The funding has been allocated to the Research Council from the development cooperation budget, and grant applications must therefore satisfy the requirements regarding use of Official Development Assistance (ODA) funding. Only research directly and primarily relevant to the problems of developing countries may be counted as ODA. The costs may still be counted as ODA if the research is carried out in a developed country. For more information please see here.

The thematic areas and geographic focus are described in the Portfolio Plan for Global Development and International Relations, and in the plan documents for NORGLOBAL2, UTENRIKS and Asia in a Time of Change.

Projects eligible for funding within this area must address at least one of the following priority areas, and the emphasis must be placed on the challenges facing OECD DAC eligible countries in Asia and/or Africa related to:

• Conflict and security;
• Economic development, poverty and vulnerability;
• Humanitarian issues.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, it will be viewed as positive if the application

• clearly describes how research findings will be communicated to key decision-makers, the public administration and the general public;
• has international partners;
• has recruitment positions such as PhD and/or post-doctoral fellows.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that generate knowledge and understanding of driving forces, development and challenges in Europe, including Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia.

The thematic areas and the geographical focus are described in the portfolio plan for Global Development and International Relations, and in the thematic documents for UTENRIKS, including Europe in transition.

NOK 6 million are earmarked for research on Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia. These projects must include partners in one of the aforementioned countries. You will find additional information in section 3.4 of the document Scientific and thematic priorities for the High North, Russia and Eastern Europe.

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

• Driving forces, trends and challenges in Europe’s/the EU’s political development;
• Economic development, the common market and global competition;
• Basic values under pressure;
• EU foreign and security policy, Europe’s role in the world;
• Reforms, European integration and security policy in Ukraine, Belarus and Georgia.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• the description of how research results will be communicated to key decision-makers, the public administration and the general public;
• international partners.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

A total of NOK 85 million is available for this topic, distributed between three priority areas and three calls for proposals. Applications for each priority area will compete across the calls. Applicants are to select a call based on whether it is necessary or useful to have partners from outside academia.

Marine ecosystems – thematic open calls
The research area Marine ecosystems aims to increase understanding of ecosystems' structure, function, variation and change in order to achieve sustainable and long-term management of Norwegian coastal and marine areas. The research area is described in more detail in the MARINFORSK Work Programme.

Pollution and other effects on ecosystems – Mineral extraction on the sea floor and onshore
Onshore and offshore mineral extraction leads to occupation of areas and deposition of minerals processing waste and various chemicals into the marine environment. More knowledge is needed about the spread of minerals processing waste and associated chemicals, and their impact on marine ecosystems as a whole and on individual species, populations and societies.

To be relevant, the project must be related to at least one of the following areas:

• development of empirical data and reliable models for calculating chemical, physical and biological processes in and around marine waste deposits from onshore mining and the impact of these processes on the marine environments. Focus should be placed on both the operational and restitution phase of extraction.
• more knowledge on how mineral extraction on the sea floor and any associated minerals processing waste deposits in coastal areas and at sea affect the marine ecosystem.

Management and societal perspectives – Knowledge-based management of marine resources, ecosystems and ecosystem services
Achieving sustainable utilisation of marine resources requires knowledge-based and ecosystem-based management with an integrated approach. Within this thematic priority area, we seek more knowledge about which factors serve to facilitate or impede the management of‏ marine ecosystems and marine ecosystem services. This may encompass studies of policy, economics, national and international legislation, strategies, policy instruments, agreements, barriers and opportunities, attitudes and behaviour, gender perspectives and the capacity of society to design and implement change. These are all multi- and interdisciplinary challenges that require insight from the natural sciences and social sciences, as well as the humanities.

Applications related to research needs in the following focus areas are relevant:

1. Marine ecosystem services
2. Management of marine and coastal waters
3. Management challenges in light of climate and environmental change

Research needs are described in more detail in the MARINFORSK Work Programme.

Relevance
The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select marine research, and it must be clearly stated which of the three research areas above the application targets. You may select more than one area. The template can be found at the end of the call.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on recruitment positions (PhD or post-doctoral fellows).

A total of NOK 80 million is available for this topic, distributed between three priority areas and three calls for proposals (application types). Applications for each priority area will compete across the calls. Applicants must select a call based on whether it is necessary or useful to have partners from outside academia.

Fish health and fish welfare – thematic open call
Projects within this research area can encompass all aquaculture species, and all research that contributes to increased knowledge about and understanding of aquaculture organisms’ health and welfare are relevant. The research area is described in more detail in the HAVBRUK Work Programme.

Are we feeding our salmon to deficiencies?
Much of the knowledge about the nutritional requirements of salmon comes from studies conducted under close to optimal conditions, with mainly marine feed ingredients and using fish that have since been bred for several generations. Today, salmon feed is predominantly plant-based and new forms of land-based and marine production mean that an increasing share of the fish live large parts of their life in a completely different environment than before. Increased mortality at sea appears to be related to increased handling of the salmon and exposure to a different infection pressure. Does the feed meet the nutritional requirement of today’s farmed salmon, making them sufficiently robust to handle these new challenges?

Funding is available for projects that contribute basic knowledge on the composition of future feeds. To be eligible for funding, the research must target the nutritional needs of salmon in light of new feed ingredients, new forms of production, new processing methods, more handling and/or interaction with improved genetic material, for good welfare, health and growth.

Applications for projects that will investigate nutritional requirements of salmon for fat, protein, vitamins and minerals will be more relevant than research on functional feed ingredients. The call is coordinated with planned measures in the Norwegian Seafood Research Fund (FHF).

The value chain of sludge from closed and semi-enclosed facilities
The production of bigger smolts and other land-based production will result in more sludge production, which entails challenges for disposal and use. The development of closed and semi-enclosed production concepts makes it easier to collect and use waste and side streams of production, thereby contributing to sustainability in the industry. The sludge must be separated from the production environment, collected, stored, treated and transported. All parts of this value and logistics chain require technological solutions to be developed that are suited for the utilisation of the sludge. This applies to feed technology, feeding technology, sludge collection technology and technology for accumulation and processing. Developing an optimal value chain for use of sludge from fish production has both technological and regulatory limitations. The latter is generally related to components of the sludge that can limit its application.

Funding is available for projects that look at technological solutions in order to utilise sludge from fish production. The projects may be transdisciplinary and involve users and the authorities, in addition to technology development.

Relevance
It must be clearly stated which of the priority areas the application targets. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select the topic aquaculture research. The template can be found at the end of the call.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• relevant international collaboration;
• recruitment positions (PhD or post-doctoral fellows).

A total of NOK 20 million is available for this topic, distributed between two calls for proposals (application types). Applicants must select a call based on whether it is necessary or useful to have partners from outside academia.

As an export industry, Norwegian seafood is exposed to changes in the international market. The COVID-19 pandemic brings uncertainty into world trade due to changes in consumer behaviour and transport patterns, the importance of the local market, desire to protect one’s own (protectionism) etc. The pandemic also provides a unique opportunity to study how such a situation affects the Norwegian seafood sector.

Funding is available for market research that helps to identify, understand and deal with causes and ripple effects related to the pandemic and similar situations in the short and long term, in order to understand the opportunities and challenges that can arise in relation to transitions and innovation. The research can encompass both national and international markets and different types of seafood products. We particularly welcome projects that take the form of comparative studies on different fisheries and aquaculture products that can help to ensure an economically sustainable seafood industry.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• relevant international collaboration;
• recruitment positions (PhD or post-doctoral).

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that use existing health data, administrative register data and personal information to generate new knowledge to address health and welfare challenges.

Through www.helsedata.no, a simpler and quicker means of gaining an overview of and accessing Norwegian health data has been established. The Health Analysis Platform, which will be launched in 2021, facilitates advanced analyses across different sources of health data and personal information. Comprehensive information about national solutions, services and interfaces for cooperation developed under the auspices of the Norwegian Directorate of e-health is available in the appendix The Health Data Programme – New solutions, services and interfaces for cooperation and on the helsedata website.

To be eligible for funding, the project must have a main emphasis on existing data and must fall under one or more of the following areas:

1. Quality, competence and efficiency in the health, care and welfare services
2. Health-promoting and preventive public health measures
3. Diagnostics, treatment or rehabilitation of illnesses

To be relevant for funding, projects must utilise health data, solutions and services offered at www.helsedata.no/en, www.helsenorge.no/en and/or the Health Analysis Platform.

You must also make use of data from several Norwegian sources (e.g. registers, health studies, own data from ongoing or concluded projects) or data from at least one public Norwegian source used together with data from other countries.

We will also take account of whether the following has been included:

• Health economics perspectives
• National and/or international cooperation
• Interdisciplinarity that includes social science and/or humanities research.

The projects must be based on users’ needs. You must describe who the users are, and how they are involved in the planning and implementation of the project and in the utilisation of results. In this context, users could be patients, clients and next of kin, the population, health and welfare service employees, and public administration and authorities.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we will consider how well the application addresses all the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Project portfolio assessments
Since the projects will use existing quality-assured data, we expect much good quality and useful research to be generated through projects with relatively low budgets.

We endeavour to strike a thematic balance, which means that more proposals will be granted in areas 1 and 3 (approx. four projects under each area), and fewer in area 2 (approx. two projects).

Funding is available for projects that generate knowledge on the climate- and Earth system. The call aims to contribute to better understanding of processes and interactions between components of the climate system and to apply new methods or further develop models to increase knowledge of climate variation on different time scales.

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

• atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, geosphere and/or cryosphere;
• the polar regions’ role, unforeseen climate changes, tipping points and global connections;
• how political decisions, geopolicy, technological solutions, resource development and human activity affect the climate system in the short and long term.

When awarding a mark for the relevance criterion, we consider how well the application addresses the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that provide new insight into how to maintain and improve plant and soil health, and animal health and welfare.

The goal is to generate knowledge of high quality and relevance to policy development, administration and the field of practice, and contribute to knowledge-based and sustainable development in relation to the agricultural sector’s adaptation to climate change. 

The knowledge reports on plant health, animal health and animal welfare and the National soil health programme (links open in new windows) have mapped knowledge gaps and research needs. This means that the applications must address the basic research needs described in these reports and fall under at least one of these two areas:

Plant and soil health
Increased knowledge is vital to produce healthy food in sufficient quantities, reduce the use of chemical pesticides and minimise food waste. Climate change and the spread of plant pests across national borders threaten plant health in Norway and globally. Measures are needed that can prevent the spread of plant pests and we must develop good strategies for handling pests that have already been established in Norway. Good soil health means increased emphasis on life in soil, organic material and soil structure. How soil is managed with soil tillage and other measures affect both soil and plant health.

There is a need for both basic and applied research on the connection between soil health, agronomic operations, different forms of operation and plant health.

Animal health and animal welfare
Norwegian livestock production has an advantage because of its good animal health and animal welfare. Good breeding work, good knowledge of feeding and operations, good livestock holdings and systematic measures to combat animal diseases have all contributed to this. New animal health and welfare challenges may arise as a result of changes to forms of operation, climate change and globalisation. To ensure continued good animal health and welfare in livestock production in future, we need continuous knowledge building, and particularly basic research.

To be relevant for this topic, your application must show that you want to study the possibilities of identifying health and welfare challenges in livestock holdings at an early stage to maintain good animal health and strengthen the possibilities of addressing the behavioural needs of animals in practice.

 In the assessment of the relevance criterion, we will also place emphasis on:

• Active collaboration with at least one other national research organisation
• Concrete plans for international collaboration, for example co-publication or mobility
• Recruitment positions

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this thematic area. The template can be found at the end of the call.

When deciding which applications to prioritise, we will aim for the best possible balance between the two thematic areas plant and soil health, and animal health and welfare.

Funding must be used to generate knowledge and new methods relating to nanotechnology, microtechnology and/or advanced materials. NOK 20 million are earmarked for research related to method development through advanced use of synchrotron and neutron sources, including disciplines outside nanotechnology and advanced materials.

In principle, the Portfolio Plan for Enabling Technologies is topic neutral, but the following topics are nonetheless given some priority:

• Medicine and health;
• Bioeconomy;
• Environmentally-friendly energy and low emissions;
• Sustainability, environment and climate.

Applications must include the researchers' own reflections and relevant measures that contribute to ensuring that the planned research is in line with expectations of Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI).

More information about thematic priorities and RRI can be found in the portfolio plan and in the attachment ‘A Framework for Responsible Innovation’.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we consider how well the application addresses the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this thematic area. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding must contribute to increasing basic knowledge of space and Earth, and to the development of a new generation of space researchers. The funding must also contribute to the utilisation of Norwegian space activity in research, particularly in relation to Norway’s participation in the European Space Agency (ESA), European Incoherent SCATter (EISCAT) and Nordic Optical Telescope (NOT).

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

• solar-terrestrial physics with an emphasis on understanding fundamental processes of the sun and the solar atmosphere and on how solar wind and solar activity affect Earth's upper atmosphere and the global environment;
• the structure and development of the Universe, with an emphasis on understanding fundamental astrophysical processes;
• Earth observations from satellites with emphasis on climate monitoring, resource mapping, pollution from petroleum activities, monitoring and management of Arctic areas.

The areas are described in more detail in the ROMFORSKNING Work Programme.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• relevance to research-related utilisation of Norwegian space activity, particularly related to ESA, EISCAT and/or NOT;
• recruitment positions (PhD and/or post-doctoral).

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding will go to developing knowledge that can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency and reduce the carbon footprint and the risk of major accidents, as well as improve the working environment in the petroleum industry on the Norwegian continental shelf.

Projects that are eligible for funding under Petroleum must fall under at least one of the following two areas in the portfolio plan:

• Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency and the environment
• Major accidents and working environment.

Only applications that concern areas where it is particularly demanding or inexpedient to establish cooperation with the industry are relevant. The relevance attachment must therefore provide a concrete and clear answer to how the project falls under one or both of the following points:

• areas where there is a conflict of interest, and where independent research without participation from the industry will benefit the research
• areas where the research is of little interest to the industry itself, but where there are significant societal outcomes that are more important than the value creation effects and direct benefits to the industry.

Projects where it is expedient and beneficial to establish cooperation with the industry must apply under the call for Knowledge-building Projects for Industry with the application deadline 17 February 2021.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we consider how well the application addresses the points above. The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you choose this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that contribute to generating new research-based knowledge that will enable the Sámi people to strengthen and further develop their own language, and their own culture and community life.

Applications concerning all areas of the work programme are relevant, but we would particularly like to strengthen research that falls under area 2: Sámi identity and community-building

We would also like at least one of the following areas to be included in the project:

• Social equality;
• Gender equality;
• Cultural resilience.

The areas are described in more detail in the Programme for Sámi Research III.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• cooperation between institutions and/or local or regional Sámi research groups;
• recruitment positions;
• whether the project looks at international comparative issues based on or in relation to the Sámi situation.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for research on and for the educational sector. The goal is to generate knowledge of high quality and relevance to policy development, administration and the field of practice, and contribute to knowledge-based development.

To be eligible for funding, projects must be relevant to at least one of the following four priority areas:

• A: Learning processes, assessment forms and learning outcomes;
• B: Praxis, professional practice and competence-development;
• C: Governance, management, organisation and achievement of results;
• D: Education, society and working life.

The priority areas are described in more detail in section 2.2 of the Education and Competence portfolio plan. The final paragraph in priority area B in the portfolio plan concerns research competence in selected programmes of professional study, and is not relevant to this call. 

The call is open for projects that look at more than one of the priority areas in conjunction with one another.

We seek research for and on the whole educational sector and all levels of the educational system, from early childhood education and care institutions and primary schools through higher education and learning in and outside working life. Projects that examine transitions between the levels of the educational system and the transition from education to working life are also of interest.

When awarding a mark for the project’s relevance, we will also place special consideration on:

• active collaboration with at least one other Norwegian research organisation;
• active international collaboration;
• recruitment positions;
• inter- or multidisciplinary cooperation.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for research that provides knowledge about and addresses societal challenges within one or more of the thematic areas described in the attachment to the portfolio plan on Welfare, Working Life and Migration:

• welfare, living conditions and inequality;
• achieving an adaptable, inclusive and health-promoting working life;
• active citizenship, migration and the role of institutions.

To be relevant to this call, migration research must be linked to integration, welfare and working life.

When we award a mark for the application’s relevance, we will also emphasise:

• the use of different methods to measure the outcomes of measures and instruments aimed at increasing inclusion in working life and society and reducing inequality and exclusion;
• multi- and interdisciplinarity, where perspectives of law, the health disciplines, technology and/or the humanities are included;
• active national and international cooperation.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for services research as described in the portfolio plan’s appendix on Good and efficient health, care and welfare services, section 3.1:

• Health and care services
• Labour and welfare services
• Child and family welfare services.

In addition, applications must fall under at least one of the six interdisciplinary knowledge areas described in the same appendix (section 3.3).

Particular emphasis will be placed on services research that aims to reduce vulnerability and inequality through:

• Increasing inclusion in working life and society of users who need integrated services, particularly young people with mental health disorders and persons with musculoskeletal disorders
• Placing special emphasis on comprehensive services for vulnerable population groups.

Applications that concern transitions and cooperation between different services can include relevant health services, but applications that target health services alone are not eligible for funding.

The application must also be based on the users’ needs. In this context, users could be patients, clients and next of kin, the population, health and welfare service employees, and public administration and authorities. You must describe (in section 1.2 of the project description) who the users are, and how they are involved in the planning and implementation of the project and in the utilisation of results.

 When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we will also pay special consideration to:

• The use of different methods of measuring the effects of measures and policy instruments aimed at increasing inclusion in working life and society and reducing inequality and exclusion
• Multi- and interdisciplinarity, where perspectives of social sciences, law, the health disciplines, technology and the humanities are included
• Active national and international cooperation.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Funding is available for projects that challenge and expand the existing knowledge base about the relationship between humans and nature and contribute to new perspectives and knowledge in areas that are particularly relevant to society.

One of the thematic areas in the portfolio plan for Welfare, Culture and Society is Media, culture and social change. Within this thematic area, the relationship between culture and nature/health, i.e. Man and Nature, is a thematic priority area. The advertised funding will go to projects that show how new knowledge about cultural phenomena can help to elucidate and address relevant societal challenges relating to this topic. This is described in more detail in the portfolio plan's appendix Cultural conditions underlying social change (SAMKUL), section 4.2.1, Man and Nature. The applications must also reflect the SAMKUL perspective in general; see sections 4.1 and 4.2 in the same appendix.

The projects must explore relevant societal challenges relating to the relationship between culture and nature – the latter understood as both the natural environment and man’s own nature. Through analyses of historical, linguistic and communicative, religious, normative and aesthetic dimensions, the projects should provide new insight into societal challenges in these areas and how they can be addressed.

To be eligible for funding, applications must, in addition to complying with the thematic guidelines above, contain elements that clearly relate to disciplines and perspectives within the humanities.

The application must also include:

• Multi-or interdisciplinarity, and/or
• International and national cooperation.

When awarding marks for the relevance criterion, we will consider how well the application addresses all the priorities above.

The attachment ‘Relevance to the topic’ is mandatory if you select this topic. The template can be found at the end of the call.

Project portfolio assessments
Applications with project managers who are currently involved in an ongoing SAMKUL project will not be prioritised.

We want the approved projects to thematically supplement, and not overlap with, projects that already receive funding within the same topic.