Research and innovation investments in Norway

Open Access Government explores the importance of funding research and innovation investments in Norway for the future of sustainability and technology

Imagine a society that encourages the creation, application, and sharing of research, which helps restructure and improve sustainability. The country is Norway, one of the Nordic countries, and this is the bold vision seen through the eyes of the Research Council of Norway.

Research and innovation investments across 16 portfolios

The Research Council of Norway invests in innovation and research via 16 portfolios. ⁽¹⁾ As an example, one of these 16 areas concerns the enabling technologies, nanotechnology, biotechnology and ICT, which have the scope to play a part in significant societal changes and be used for a wide array of applications.

“The technology areas will be further developed and used in a socially responsible manner in close interaction with each other, with different disciplines and…actors in the private and public sector,” the Research Council of Norway continues. ⁽²⁾

Natural sciences and technologies demonstrate how research and innovation investments made will foster revolutionary and high-quality research. For instance, regarding space research, the assets will also contribute to central Norwegian participation in priority satellite and rocket projects through the European Space Agency, plus other scientific projects. ⁽³⁾

The other portfolios are Climate and polar research; Democracy, administration and renewal; Education and competence; Energy, transport and low emissions; Global development and international relations; Health; Humanities and social sciences; Industry and services; Land-based food, the environment and bioresources; Life science; Oceans; Petroleum; Sámi; Welfare and culture and society. ⁽⁴⁾

It’s interesting to note that the Sámi portfolio mentioned above concerns enabling the Sámi people to develop further their language, community life and culture by generating new knowledge. ⁽⁵⁾

Funding research, including the public sector

The Research Council of Norway funds research organisations, businesses and public sector entities. However, private individuals don’t receive research funding. ⁽⁶⁾ County authorities, municipalities, and other public sector entities can apply for funding to foster research-based innovation and grow knowledge. ⁽⁷⁾

For example, the Health Pilot is one of the most visited calls at the time of writing in late June 2023, which will fund up to NOK 80,000 000, with a funding scale of NOK 15,000,000-25,000,000 for a project duration of 24-48 months. ⁽⁸⁾ As the Research Council of Norway succinctly describes: “Through the Health Pilot initiative, we will finance innovation processes that can increase sustainability in health and care services and stimulate value creation in Norwegian trade and industry.” ⁽⁹⁾

Innovation in Norway

An innovation project for the public sector seeks to encourage research activities to promote the innovation sector and sustainable value creation for the users. It also aims to result in public sector administration, infrastructure and services innovations. The requirement for innovation is hot on the heels of the fast changes occurring worldwide, but stripping back to basics, what is innovation?

“Innovations in this context are defined as new or significantly improved goods, services, processes, organisational and governance forms or models that are introduced to enhance value creation and for the benefit of society,” the Research Council of Norway tell us. Also, the Research Council’s task is to ensure that relevant research develops and stays accessible so that knowledge secured benefits society. ⁽¹⁰⁾

The Centres for Research-based Innovation scheme aims to develop essential innovation and value creation expertise. “Through long-term research conducted in close collaboration between research-performing companies and prominent research groups, the SFI centres are to enhance technology transfer, internationalisation and researcher training.” the Research Council of Norway reveal. An announcement may follow in 2024 that seven to nine new SFI centres may start in Autumn 2025. ⁽¹¹⁾

References

1. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/
2. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/Portfolios/enabling-technologies/
3. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/Portfolios/natural-science-and-technology/
4. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/Portfolios/
5. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/Portfolios/sami/
6. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/apply-for-funding/who-can-apply-for-funding/
7. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/apply-for-funding/who-can-apply-for-funding/public-sector/
8. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/call-for-proposals/?timeframe=0&targetGroups=25
9. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/call-for-proposals/2023/health-pilot/
10. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/apply-for-funding/who-can-apply-for-funding/public-sector/innovation-projects-for-the-public-sector/
11. https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/apply-for-funding/funding-from-the-research-council/sfi/