External Funding Opportunities

- Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) - Young CAS Fellow programme of 2021/22 - to support outstanding young researchers (under 40 years of age)

Projects should have a clear basic research profile, meaning that a successful Young CAS Fellow application describes research that is curiosity-driven, challenges given truths and has the potential to move the research front in the relevant field. As a Young CAS Fellow, you receive support from CAS of up to NOK 200,000 for one year. The funds will be used for the design of research, networking and three collections. Deadline: 1. December 2020.

- Research Stay Abroad - each funding source offers funding for research stays abroad for the candidates:

• The Faculty of Medicine - Postdoctoral fellows with UiB funding - granted for stays 3-12 months. Deadlines: 1. March and 1. October.
• Helse Vest - granted for 6 or 12 months. Postdoctoral fellowship applicants are especially encouraged to apply for an overseas fellowship over the course of their fellowship period. Deadline: continuing.
• Research Council of Norway - granted for 3-12 months. Deadline: continuing.

- EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) Fellowships - Research on the molecular mechanisms of life at all levels.

• Short-term Fellowships fund research exchanges of up to three months between laboratories in eligible countries.
• Long-term Fellowships are awarded for a period of up to two years and support post-doctoral research visits to laboratories throughout Europe and the world. Deadline: throughout the year.

- Deadlines 2021 (more details about the calls will be provided in the coming months): 

10. February 2021

• Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal
• Researcher Project for Young Research Talents
• Three-year Researcher Project with International Mobility
• Large-scale Interdisciplinary Researcher Project

Note:

- You can be a project manager of only one of the first 3 grant applications listed above.

- You can be a project manager for both a Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal and a Large-scale Interdisciplinary Researcher Project grant apllication.

17. February 2021

• Collaborative Project to meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges

- SFF V (Phase 1) - Sentrene for fremragende forskning / Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF) work with ambitious ideas and complex issues. 

The goal is concentrated, focused and long-term research efforts at a high international level, with research education and international cooperation as important sub-goals. The SFFs have the possibility of support for up to ten years (5 + 5). This gives the institutions room to restructure their research environments and develop new collaborations. The call has two stages. Stage 1 is open to all applicants at approved Norwegian research organizations while stage 2 will be a closed call where only applicants selected in stage 1 can apply. Deadline: 18. November 2020, 13:00

- INFRASTRUKTUR - to give Norwegian research communities and businesses access to relevant and up-to-date infrastructure that supports high-quality research.

The call includes research infrastructure of national importance as defined in the National Strategy for Research Infrastructure (2018-2025). The announcement also includes Norwegian participation in international research infrastructure, including participation in infrastructure at the ESFRI Roadmap. This is a notice of the announcement for 2020 and will only apply to those who participate in the introductory mandatory sketch round with a deadline of 27 May 2020. More information will come in June 2020. NOK 2-200 Million. Deadline: 18. November 2020.

- Supplementary Funding for Norwegian Participants in Horizon 2020 Projects from the Research Concil of Norway. See more below under "Horizon2020 - ERC, Marie Curie". Deadline: 18 November 2020.

- PES2020 - Support to Norwegian Stakeholders Shaping the Content of Horizon Europe

This call is designed to facilitate cohesive Norwegian collaboration and increase the participation of Norwegian stakeholders in the effort to promote Norwegian interests in the process of shaping the content of Horizon Europe, the EU’s next research and innovation framework programme (2021–2027). NOK 100,000-500,000 for 12-24 months. Deadline: continuing.

What can you seek funding for?

• Payroll and indirect expenses: costs incurred by the Project Owner and other task-performing partners, budgeted in accordance with the Research Council’s standard guidelines.
• Direct costs related to:
  • travel and accommodation/board in connection with relevant meetings;
  • costs in connection with organising workshops, seminars, etc.
• Project activities/incurred costs from the application date onward may be included.

- Research Commercialisation from Publicly Funded Research - to contribute to increasing commercial exploitation of publicly-funded research in Norway. A unique grant application may only be submitted once.

1. Qualification Project (former Milestone Project) 

   The purpose of a qualification project is to undertake initial investigations into the commercial potential of research results that aim to clarify which course to pursue as regards the direction of research, technology development or strategic decisions. The results from a completed Qualification Project will often form the basis for decisions on the subsequent course of commercialisation, and the results can be used to support an application for commercialisation funding in the form of a  Proof-of-Concept.

   The funding must be used to clarify the commercial potential of promising research results. The anticipated long-term economic gains are increased value creation, sustainability, competition and increased ability to address major societal challenges. NOK 200 000-500 000 for 3-12 months. Deadline: open-ended.

2. Proof-of-Concept Project

   The purpose of a Proof-of-Concept Project is to reduce the project’s uncertainty relating to technology and the market. The goal is that when the Proof-Of-Concept Project is concluded, the most critical questions and uncertainties have been clarified, so that the next stage of the commercialisation process can begin.

   The funding must be used to reduce technological risks and increase the commercial application of results from publicly funded research projects. The anticipated long-term economic gains are increased value creation, sustainability, competition and increased ability to address major societal challenges. NOK 1 000 000-5 000 000 for 12-36 months. Deadline: open-ended.

Every autumn, the Childhood Cancer Association announces funding for research projects in an open call (call text in Norwegian). The Childhood Cancer Association supports relevant Norwegian pediatric oncology research projects where the results are expected to benefit Norwegian children. The research may include biology, epidemiology, registry studies, diagnostics, treatment, nursing and psychosocial research as well as preclinical phase 1 and phase 2 studies. Read more on the general conditions for applying for research funding here. Deadline: of 1. November 2020.

The Trond Mohn Foundation gives grants towards research and research supporting activities at the University of Bergen (UiB) and Haukeland University Hospital (HUS) , and other Norwegian research institutions who cooperate with institutions in Bergen. The foundation also gives grants to support translational research at UiB and HUS.

- Supplementary Funding for Norwegian Participants in Horizon 2020 Projects from the Research Council of Norway to increase the impact of Norway’s participation in Horizon 2020 projects on society so that Norwegian municipalities and other public bodies, businesses, special interest organisations and researchers will gain access to research and innovation results produced by the Horizon 2020 projects. Supplementary projects under Horizon 2020 Pillar 1 (Excellent Science) should also contribute to disseminating research results to other Norwegian universities, university colleges and research institutes. NOK 500.000-1 million / 12-24 months. Deadline: 18 November 2020. Read also here (article in Norwegian).

- Financial support for applicants from the Research Council of Norway - You can apply for financial support to find partners, networks and relevant calls for proposals, as well as for help to prepare a grant proposal

Horizon2020 - several calls.

European Research Council (ERC) - Frontier research grants

ERC 2021 (tentative dates):

• Starting Grant: 9 March
• Consolidator Grant: 20 April
• Advanced Grant: 31 August

- EDCTP Funding in Horizon Europe: draft proposal for the Global Health Partnership EDCTP3 outlining the  third EDCTP programme - one of the partnerships in Horizon Europe. Opportunities for UiB researchers to respond to the programme will be available in late Sept/Oct via the Norwegian Health Cluster reference group. Key objectives of the programme are:

• Health interventions: Evaluate new or improved health interventions against poverty-related infectious diseases and their interaction with non-communicable diseases.
• Collaboration and capacity development: Increase EU-Africa collaboration to build capacity to conduct clinical trials and implementation research according to ethical principles and regulatory standard.
• European coordination: Improve coordination, alignment, and integration of European national research programmes.
• South-South collaboration: Enhance scientific collaboration and international cooperation across sub-Saharan Africa.
• Partnership building: Increase international cooperation with public and private partners.
• EU cooperation: Increase interaction with other EU initiatives, including those linked todevelopment assistance.

- EDCTP has published it's calls for 2020. Follow the links below for details:                                                 

• Ethics and regulatory capacities (CSA2020ERC)
• EDCTP Regional Networks (CSA2020NoE)
• Capacity development for disease outbreak and epidemic response in sub-Saharan Africa, in collaboration with Africa CDC (CSA2020E)
• Career Development Fellowships in poverty-related diseases and child and adolescent health (TMA2020CDF)
• Innovative approaches to enhance poverty-related diseases research (RIA2020I)
• Strategic actions to maximise the impact of research on reducing disease burden, in collaboration with development cooperation initiatives (RIA2020S)

Visit the Research Council web page on International funding.

- Pre-announcement: Calls for NOK 2 billion through the EEA funds - Interested in research collaboration with Poland, Romania, the Baltic States, the Czech Republic or Portugal? Estimates indicate that about 200 research projects with Norwegian partners may be supported. A typical research project with EEA funding has a duration of around 3 years, a budget of about NOK 10 million and is managed by a research institution in the recipient country. It must also have at least one Norwegian partner. More nformation on the calls and priorities in the various programs can be found on the Research Council's website on EEA funding.

- Third project call of Baltic Research programme - Latvia

The collaborative research projects between the three Baltic States and the donor countries (Norway, Iceland and Lichtenstein). The research proposals shall comply with at least one of the sub-topics:

Public health; e- health

The project in this thematic area should contribute to knowledge about disease prevention and patient-centered health care system.

• Sub – topic 1.1. Population based studies on health behaviours (alcohol and drug use and addiction; physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and diet; and mental health) and implications for disease prevention;
• Sub – topic 1.2. E-health and integrated care;
• Sub – topic 1.3. Cardiovascular disease and cancer prevention, their personalized and patient-centered care.

3 years, € 300.000-800.000. Deadline: 19 October 2020.

INTPART contributes to the establishment, construction and further development of strategic partnerships of outstanding quality through strategies for linking higher education, research and innovation between Norway and Brazil, Canada, India, Japan, China, Russia, South Africa and the USA.

What can you apply for:

• Additional costs for shorter or longer mutual mobility stays of students, researchers, managers and administrative staff
• Development and implementation of workshops, seminars and conferences
• Development and implementation of intensive courses, field courses, summer schools, etc
• Collaboration on curriculum development and development of joint courses, study programs and/or degrees
• Planning and development of research collaboration
• Guest lectures and joint teaching and supervision of students and candidates
• Collaboration with working life and business
• Other activities that include international research and education collaboration

Applicants may apply for NOK 2 million/year up to 5 years. Deadline: 18 November 2020, 13:00.

The Local Contact Points (LCP) for Research Project Support at UiB webpage provides an overview of the research advisors at the central administration responsible for the different funding programs/schemes. Feel free to contact them or your faculty advisors (MEDforsk@uib.no).

1. SPIRE

The Strategic Program for Research Cooperation (SPIRE) aims to support the University of Bergen's strategy and action plan for internationalization 2016-2022.

Who can apply: Scientific staff in first positions (must be employed at a minimum of 50% at UiB), researchers and postdoctoral fellows (must have 100% employment) at UiB.

SPIRE funds can be applied for from the following 2 categories:

1. International research collaboration - seed funding for the initiation and development of new, long-term international research collaborations as the basis for project applications.Note that the funds are limited to seed funding towards the Research Council and other external sources of funding (ex. Nordforsk), but not to Horizon 2020 / Horizon Europe.

2. Visiting research funds - to cover expenses (travel, accommodation, boarding, transport) by inviting a foreign guest researcher for a stay of 1, 2 or 3 months. There are no restrictions on land and partners but visiting researchers must at least be at the post-doctoral level. A maximum of NOK 15,000 can be awarded in support per month per application. In addition, support can be applied for to cover the guest researcher's travel expenses. Note that SPIRE funds cannot be paid directly as a salary / scholarship to the guest researcher.

• Use the standard standard SPIRE application template to apply for funds.
• 2020 SPIRE funds can be used during the period: 01.01.2020 - 31.12.2020.

Deadline: 1 December 2019 for SPIRE funds in 2020.

2. Positioning funding (POS)

Note: Deadline for using Positioning funding granted in 2019 is December 10, 2019. Unused POS-funds cannot be used the following year.

Positioning funding is divided into 3 categories:

1. Positioning funding for researchers - who are positioning themselves towards a Horizon Europe application:

• Building relationships with leading European environments (networking) whose purpose is to identify potential partners for future H2020/HEurope projects.
• Participation in arenas that contribute towards influencing the European research and innovation agenda (strategic work).
• Short-term positioning to build new partnerships/join existing consortiums.

2. Grants to fund strategic academic measures - at Faculty level:

• Participation in European strategy networks and forums.
• Interdisciplinary events in Bergen, with participation from the EU Commission or other relevant EU organizations.
• Study trips and delegation trips to Brussels.

3. Competence development funding for researchers and the EU administrative support staff - at the Faculties.

This includes participation at H2020/HEurope seminars, workshops and conferences both nationally and internationally. The course program for the competence activity for which funding is sought must be submitted with the application.

Deadline for POS funding in 2020 grants for 2020: 1 December 2019. 

3. ERASMUS+ Employee Mobility

All employees at UiB (including technical-administrative staff and research fellows) can apply for a scholarship for mobility to an institution, organization or university in Europe to receive training, new knowledge and new experiences through exchanges, in addition to increasing international cooperation between UiB and European institutions in EU countries, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Macedonia, Serbia and Turkey. Visit ERASMUS+ Employee Mobility web page for more details. Deadlines: 20. august og 20. januar. 

- EMBO (European Molecular Biology Organization) Fellowships - Research on the molecular mechanisms of life at all levels.

• Short-term Fellowships fund research exchanges of up to 3 months between laboratories in eligible countries.
• Long-term Fellowships are awarded for a period of up to 2 years and support post-doctoral research visits to laboratories throughout Europe and the world. Deadline: throughout the year.

- Meltzer Foundation Research Funds - to promote the academic activities of the University of Bergen (and others) and to support especially gifted students.

• Project Grants for students and PhD. Deadline: 1 December.
• Travel grants. Deadline: 1 December.

All applications to the Meltzer Research Fund must be sent via UiB`s electronic application system: https://fond.app.uib.no/.

- UiB - PhD-candidates and Post-docs funded by the Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen, can apply for travel grants limited to 25.000 nok.There are now new guidelines for these stipends. Please read them in this PDF. Deadline: 1 March and 1 October.

- Research Council of Norway - offers for a scholarship for research stays abroad applies to PhD candidates and Post Doctors in projects with full or partial funding for the Research Council for a minimum of 24 months. The research stays abroad may last for a minimum of 3 months and a maximum of 12 months. Deadline: continuing.

- Helse Vest - granted for 6 or 12 months. Postdoctoral fellowship applicants are especially encouraged to apply for an overseas fellowship over the course of their fellowship period. Deadline: continuing.

- ERASMUS+ staff mobility - subsidising mobility of up to 2 months, for UiB staff including PhD-candidates and post docs, to attend courses or individual laboratory visits. Also have a look at the list of organized staff mobility weeks. Deadline: 20 August and 20 January.

- Travelgrants for students and researchers in Arqus

• Reserach stays (individually - PDF
• Research stays (research groups)- PDF
• Pre/Post-doc mentoring -PDF

Questions can be directed to senior advisor Rosa Nogueira. Deadline: 31 October 2020.

Please visit our web page dedicated to Innovation relevant funding possibilities.

For more information on external funding opportunities, visit the call page / Research and innovation´s page or contact the research advisors at Helse Bergen: forskning@helse-bergen.no

- NFR