The Norwegian government wants to attract top international researchers to Norway. A new initiative is now in place to make it easier to bring talented researchers from abroad.
The initiative has a total budget of NOK 300 million, to be distributed between 2025 and 2028:
“Norway must take an active role in a challenging global situation for academic freedom. The conditions for researchers in the U.S. and several other countries make it urgent to offer attractive opportunities that encourage talented individuals to settle and work in Norway. That’s why it was important to get this initiative up and running quickly. We can make a real difference for outstanding researchers and vital knowledge,” says Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland (Labour Party).
The funding will be available to researchers from countries outside Europe. It is expected to support the recruitment of 30–40 researchers to Norway.
“We want to quickly enable greater mobility and give Norwegian research institutions a unique opportunity to bring in talented international researchers. This call is intended to provide more predictability for both researchers and institutions,” says Mari Sundli Tveit, Director of the Research Council of Norway.
Key facts about the new initiative:
- The goal is to help Norwegian research institutions attract talented international researchers who can establish themselves in Norway and contribute to higher quality and added academic value in their host environments.
- It applies to all Research Council center programs and the FRIPRO program for experienced researchers – a national, open competition across all disciplines aimed at promoting scientific excellence at the international frontier.
- Only the leadership of the host institution, which owns the center or project, can apply.
- Each project may receive up to NOK 6–9 million in total, spread over 2 to 3 years.
- Researchers must not reside in or be employed by institutions in any of the 46 Council of Europe member states. Russia is excluded.
- There is no requirement on research experience beyond a PhD.
- As with other mobility programs from the Research Council, the researcher must not already be employed by a Norwegian research institution or reside in Norway.