The Research Council of Norway (RCN) plays a crucial role in the Norwegian system of research funding. Its principal mission is to generate Norwegian basic and applied research in all areas of science, technology, medicine and the humanities. RCN has the following three main tasks:
- To act as the Norwegian government’s advisor on research policy issues
- To be a funding and administrative agency for independent research programmes and projects, strategic programmes and Norwegian participation in international research programmes
- To coordinate cooperation between research, trade and industry and public sector bodies.
With an annual budget of more than NOK 4 billion, the Research Council of Norway is responsible for more than 130 research programmes and other activities, including the financing of independent projects and the provision of basic funding to research institutions. In programmes and projects supported by RCN, special attention is given to priorities outlined for Norwegian research. For the period 2005-2010, the general priorities underline the importance of internationalisation, basic research and innovation. Thematic priorities for the same period highlight energy, the environment, health, oceans and food, and three areas of technology - new materials and nanotechnology, biotechnology and information, and communication technology.
For more information on individual programmes and projects please refer to the RCN website or check the following brochure.
