NSUP Research Seed Fund 2026
The North Sea University Partnership (NSUP) is pleased to announce the launch of its first call of Research Seed Funding, to further strengthen research collaboration among its partner institutions.
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NSUP Research Seed Fund 2026
Through a competitive process, NSUP will jointly advertise, select, and fund collaborative research projects involving at least two NSUP institutions.
In its first year, the call will prioritise proposals addressing the NSUP key priority area:
North Sea priorities: energy, the green transition, marine/maritime research, and resilience/security. We encourage interdisciplinary perspectives across science, humanities and social sciences related to these North Sea priorities.
Projects may request up to £25,000 for activities lasting 12–24 months, with each project researcher funded by their respective institution. Participation of each applicant will be funded and supported by their home institution.
Principal Investigators from the University of Bergen must hold the position of either postdoktor (with at least two years of employment remaining), førsteamanuensis, or professor.
The call will open on 19 February 2026, submission deadline of 20 May 2026 at 12pm (GMT): NSUP Research Seed Fund 2026 - North Sea University Partnership
About NSUP
The North Sea University Partnership (NSUP) is a consortium of eight UK and Norwegian Universities aiming to strengthen ties between Norwegian and UK universities, facilitating collaboration, addressing challenges, and cultivating a conducive environment for academic and research partnerships.
University of Bergen is the Norwegian lead of the North Sea University Partnership (NSUP). The partnership was established in December 2024 and includes eight UK and Norwegian Universities:
- University of Bergen (Norwegian lead)
- NTNU
- University of Oslo
- UiT - The Arctic University of Norway
- Durham University (UK lead)
- Newcastle University
- University of Leeds
- University of York (Note: not a part of this years call for seed funds)
Rector Margareth Hagen is the co-chair of the NSUP Strategic Leadership Group. The UK co-chair is Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Durham University, Claire O'Malley.
NSUP have four key priority areas:
- North Sea: energy, green transition and marine research
- Cultural Heritage
- The Arctic
- Health
