Description

The call aims to fund “curiosity-driven and bold research” — enabling strong Norwegian research environments to evolve into world‑leading communities in their fields. Projects should be led by experienced researchers and involve collaboration between two or more named researchers. The call supports both basic and applied research, across all disciplines.

Funding Amount

• Per-project funding range: NOK 15,000,000–40,000,000.
• Total budget for the call: NOK 160,000,000.
• Project duration: 48–96 months.

The first allocation of funds under this call is expected in November or December 2025.

Submission Deadlines

• The call is open‑ended: applications can be submitted at any time (ongoing submission and processing) as long as the project manager does not have a “waiting period” or submission‑restriction period.
• Project start date should be planned for 8–18 months after submission.

Submission Conditions & Eligibility Requirements

Who may apply:

• Only approved Norwegian research organisations may serve as Project Owner.

• Project administrator (the formal contact) must be a different person than the project manager (e.g., head of department, head of research at the institution).

Who may be project manager:

• Must hold a doctoral degree (or equivalent associate‑professor competence) plus at least 6 years’ experience after doctorate / associate‑professor qualification.
• Must not have ongoing conflicting grants / waiting periods per RCN’s rules.

Who else must be involved:

• At least one additional named researcher (project participant) besides the project manager. This co‑investigator must have a PhD (or equivalent competence), with at least 2 years since PhD/qualification, and be employed at an approved Norwegian research institution for the project duration.
• Collaboration between the project manager and at least one other experienced researcher is mandatory.

Partners and Subcontractors:

• Only research organisations (approved) or equivalent foreign research organisations may be partners receiving funding. Companies and non‑research undertakings are not eligible as funded partners.
• Subcontractors may be used for services, but may not become project partners or receive project ownership or IP rights.

Eligible Costs Covered

• Salaries and indirect costs for researchers (including project manager, researchers, fellows) — doctoral/post‑doctoral fellowships included (with limitations: doctoral max 3 years full-time; post-doc 3–4 years).
• Equipment and infrastructure costs (operating and depreciation) necessary for project implementation.
• Operating expenses (other necessary R&D costs), and subcontractor services (if procurement rules followed).

Other Conditions

• The project must be non-commercial: RCN does not award state aid under this call; only non-economic (research) activity is funded.
• Ethics and research integrity must be addressed (data management, ethical standards, etc.) when relevant.
• All application materials must be submitted in English (or Norwegian). All mandatory attachments (project description, CVs) must be provided.

Eligible Types of Organisations

• Norwegian public research organisations (universities, research institutes) — approved by RCN.
• Additional partners may be foreign research organisations (but only if they meet eligibility and are accepted as partners); funding is directed to the Norwegian research organisation(s) involved.
• Private companies or commercial entities are not eligible as funded partners under this call.