External Funding Opportunities

- 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 - Scholarship for research stays abroad for 3 -12 months for PhD candidates and Post Doctors in projects with funding from the Research Council.. 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.

- SFF V - Round 2

Results from SFF round 1 and invitation to send a full application to round 2 should normally be announced from 11 June 2021. Deadline round 2: 15 September 2021. New deadline: 20 October 2021.

- Researcher Project

Calls open: 15. December 2021. Deadline: 2. February 2022

• Researcher Project for Scientific Renewal - NOK 4 -12 million; 36-72 months
• Researcher Project for Young Talents - NOK 4 -8 million; 36-48 months
• 3-year Researcher Project with International Mobility - NOK 3 -3.9 million; 36 months

Webinars for applicants: 

25. November 2021, 10:00 - 11:00 (Norwegian). Register here

7. December 2021, 10:00 - 11:00 (English). Register here

- Collaborative Project

Call open: 15. December 2021. Deadline: 9. February 2022

• Collaborative Project to Meet Societal and Industry-related Challenges - 24-48 months

Webinar for applicants: 

18. October 2021, 10:00 - 11:00 (Norwegian). Register here

- 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.

- Doctoral Project in the Public Sector

The Public Sector Ph.D. Scheme (OFFPHD) is intended to expand research activities in public sector bodies, to increase researcher recruitment within the public sector and to promote greater collaboration between academia and the public sector.

Funding will be provided for at least 32 Public Sector Ph.D. projects. Of these, funding will be awarded to at least:

• 10 projects for teachers in schools.
• 3 projects of relevance to the Research Council’s Programme on Health, Care and Welfare Services Research (HELSEVEL).
• 3 projects of relevance to the Research Council’s Programme for Research and Innovation in the Educational Sector (FINNUT).
• Three projects of relevance to the Research Council’s IKTPLUSS Initiative for ICT and Digital Innovation.
• Three projects of relevance to the Research Council’s Research Programme on Welfare, Working Life and Migration (VAM).

There are no thematic restrictions for the remaining 13 projects.

Project duration:3-4 years. See the call page for more information (the call for 2021 opens om 3. March). Deadline: Open-ended

- Japan-Nordic Frontier Research Projects for Healthy Longevity - to generate new knowledge on healthy ageing and longevity through Japan-Nordic research collaboration.

The thematic framework includes fundamental, translational/basic clinical and epidemiological research on populations in the Nordic countries and Japan. The call is a collaborative effort between the Academy of Finland, Research Council of Norway, Swedish Research Council, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED), and NordForsk. Utilisation of existing high-quality health data sources in a Nordic-Japanese context is central to the research to be funded under this call. NOK 6 million, 3 years. Deadline: 7 October 2021.

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- Health

The Health program has two announcements each year, and is therefore divided into Health spring (call closed) and Health autumn.

Health autumn (DAM deadlines):

• Around 15 April: Announcement of funds
• June 2: The application form opens
• September 15: Application deadline
• December 15: Award (1 p.m.)
• Approximately 1 February: Payment of funds

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.

- Starting Grant Programme 2021 - call for proposals for grants beginning in 2022.

Results from the prequalification round (deadline: 8 March 2021) will be ready in the middle of June 2021. The deadline for proposals to the final round will be medio August and the interview day for the finalists will be announced later. Results from the final round will be announced on December 3rd 2021.

- 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

1) European Research Council (ERC) - Frontier research grants

- ERC 2022 (tentative dates):

• Starting Grant: Opening 23 September 2021 / Deadline: 13 Januray 2022.
• Consolidator Grant: Opening 19 October 2021 / Deadline: 17 Mars 2022.
• Advanced Grant: Opening 20 January 2022 / Deadline: 28 Avril 2022.

2) Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)

- Postdoctoral Fellowships

Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) either can take place in Europe (i.e. in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country like Norway) or in a Third Country not associated to Horizon Europe (e.g. USA). 2 types of PF:

• European PF: Fellows (any nationality) either come to Europe from any country in the world or move within Europe for a project. The standard duration of these fellowships must be between 12 and 24 months.
• Global PF: European nationals or long-term residents who wish to engage in projects with organisations outside EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries. These fellowships require an outgoing phase of minimum 12 and maximum 24 months in a non-associated Third Country, and a mandatory 12-month return phase to a host organisation based in an EU Member State or a Horizon Europe Associated Country.

Visit UiB information page here for more details.

The call for MSCA-PF 2021 will open on 22. June 2021.

OBS - New deadline (tentative): 12 October 2021.

Support:

• If you are a UiB employee interested in the scheme, please take contact with your local research advisor for more information.
• If you are not employed at UiB and interested to develop a project with UiB as host institution, please take contact with the Local Contact Point.

- Doctoral Networks

Doctoral Networks (DN) are not purely research projects but network schemes that measure both scientific quality, innovative ways of educating and training PhD students for future and enhanced career perspectives in both the academic and non-academic sectors through international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility. DN equip researchers with the right combination of research-related and transferable competences combined with an innovation-oriented mind-set.

The call for MSCA-DN 2021 will open on 22. June 2021.

Deadline (tentative): 16. November 2021.

3) Health cluster calls

The Health Cluster of Horizon Europe aims at promotion of health and well-being of the Europeans as one of the central objectives of the European Union`s policies and programmes. Efforts will be devoted to develop an economy that works for people by supporting Member States in making innovative high-quality health technologies and health care both available and affordable for citizens as well as to rendering health care systems more accessible and sustainable, including through the digital transformation of health and care.

¤ Research and Innovation Actions (RIA) / Coordination and Support Actions (CSA)

The work programme 2021-2022 gives an introduction to the Cluster, and all of the current and forthcoming funding calls that will be published. Calls for research planned in 2021-2022 on six topics:

• disease preventionth
• links between environment and health
• digital tools for health
• tackling various diseases
• strengthening healthcare systems
• supporting Europe’s health-related industries

In 2021, there is one call planned for each of the six topics.

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.

Erasmus+

- Project establishment support (PES) for the development of applications for centralized information in Erasmus +

Call for proposals for project establishment support (PES) is now open. Funds can be applied for for meeting activities, free purchases and external consulting services, and the applicant can either be a coordinator or a partner in the final Erasmus application. HK-dir processes received applications continuously. Costs can be covered from the time the application for PES is sent to HK-dir. See here for more information about the measure. The application is submitted via Espresso. If any of you are considering applying for PES funding, feel free to contact us for guidance in the application process: Kristin Kristin Torp Skogedal (Institutional Erasmus Coordinator International Center. Phone: +47 55 58 90 26; uib.no/erasmus / uib.no/education)

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

- Call for proposals 2022

Researchers from the University of Bergen can apply for Helse Vest funds if they have an agreement of support (forankringsavtale) with Haukeland University Hospital (or another health trust).

• PhD-fellowships
• Clinical Researcher Fellowships
• Clinical Career Fellowships
• Short-term Projects
• Open project support
• Career Fellowships
• Overseas Fellowships

Deadline: 15 September 2021.

- 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 1-6 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.

2. Positioning funding (POS)

Note: Deadline for using Positioning funding granted in 2020 is December 10, 2020. Unused POS-funds cannot be used the following year.

Positioning funding is divided into 3 categories:

a. 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.

b. 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.

c. 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: 1 December. 

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 and 20. January 

- 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.

* See also the Diku tab above for Project establishment support (PES)

- 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.

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- NFR