Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The Norwegian Health Association Dementia Research Funding Call 2027 supports ongoing dementia research projects in Norway by funding running costs and networking activities. Grants of up to NOK 500,000 are available for research that improves prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of dementia. The programme emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, sex and gender perspectives, user involvement, and translational research impact.
Dementia Research Funding Call 2027 Overview
The Dementia Research Funding Call 2027 is part of the broader dementia research programme managed by the Norwegian Health Association. It is designed to strengthen existing research environments by supporting high-quality, collaborative, and impact-oriented dementia research.
The programme focuses on improving scientific understanding of dementia and translating research findings into better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment outcomes for patients and families.
Purpose and Objectives of the Funding Call
The funding call aims to:
- Strengthen ongoing dementia research projects
- Promote scientific excellence and innovation
- Encourage interdisciplinary and cross-institutional collaboration
- Support research networking and knowledge exchange
- Improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment strategies
- Enhance translational research with real-world impact
- Integrate sex and gender perspectives into research
- Build stronger national and international research communities
The overall goal is to accelerate meaningful scientific progress in dementia research.
Scope of Research
The call supports a wide range of dementia-related research topics, including:
- Causes and mechanisms of dementia
- Disease progression and biological pathways
- Prevention strategies and risk reduction
- Diagnostic tools and early detection methods
- Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatments
- Sex and gender differences in dementia
- Childhood dementia (included within scope)
- Translational research with clinical relevance
Important restriction:
- Care research is not included in this funding call
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants must meet strict institutional and academic requirements:
- Researchers holding a PhD
- Employed at a Norwegian research institution
- Applications must be submitted through eligible host institutions
Eligible institutions include:
- Universities
- University colleges
- Hospitals
- Research institutes
- Other approved research organisations
Institutional responsibility includes project administration and financial oversight.
Funding Details (2027–2028)
- Maximum funding: NOK 500,000 per project
- Funding period: 1 January 2027 – 31 December 2028
- Maximum project duration: 12 months
Eligible costs:
- Laboratory supplies and consumables
- Analytical services
- Equipment (project-specific)
- Laboratory animals
- Conference participation
- External or specialist research services
Not covered:
- Salary costs
- Institutional overheads
Funding is intended as supplementary support to enhance existing research projects.
Networking and Collaboration Activities
In addition to research costs, funding may support networking initiatives such as:
- Building national and international research networks
- Strengthening interdisciplinary collaboration
- Organising workshops and scientific meetings
- Supporting early-career researcher development
- Enhancing knowledge exchange between institutions
- Improving translation of research into practice
These activities aim to improve research coordination and accelerate innovation.
Key Focus Areas
- Dementia prevention, diagnosis, and treatment
- Translational neuroscience and clinical research
- Interdisciplinary collaboration in health science
- Sex and gender-based health research
- Scientific networking and capacity building
- Evidence-based improvements in dementia care pathways (excluding care research as a primary focus)
User Involvement Requirement
A key requirement of the programme is meaningful user involvement.
Applicants must:
- Include users (patients, carers, or stakeholders) in research design
- Integrate user perspectives in research execution and dissemination
- Provide justification if user involvement is not applicable
Strong user involvement is considered a quality indicator for:
- Relevance
- Ethical integrity
- Real-world impact
How the Funding Works (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Identify Ongoing Research Project
Applicants must have an active dementia research project.
Step 2: Define Added Value Activities
Determine how funding will enhance:
- Research quality
- Collaboration
- Networking
- Translational impact
Step 3: Prepare Application via Institution
Applications must be submitted through eligible Norwegian institutions.
Step 4: Define Budget and Activities
Include:
- Running cost breakdown
- Networking plan
- Justification for equipment and services
Step 5: Evaluation Process
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific quality
- Innovation
- Collaboration strength
- User involvement
- Translational relevance
- Gender and diversity integration
Step 6: Implementation
Selected projects run activities within the funding period.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Including salary or overhead costs (not eligible)
- Weak justification of networking activities
- Missing user involvement plan
- No clear translational relevance for basic research
- Submitting outside a Norwegian institution
- Overly broad or non-dementia-specific focus
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain how funding enhances an existing project
- Emphasize collaboration across institutions and disciplines
- Integrate sex and gender perspectives throughout the study
- Provide a strong, realistic networking strategy
- Highlight translational impact for patients and healthcare systems
- Include meaningful user involvement from the start
- Focus on measurable scientific outcomes
Why This Programme Matters
The Norwegian Health Association Dementia Research Funding Call plays a critical role in:
- Advancing dementia research capacity in Norway
- Improving early diagnosis and treatment strategies
- Strengthening collaboration across research environments
- Supporting translation of research into clinical practice
- Enhancing understanding of sex and gender differences in dementia
- Building stronger research networks and expertise
It ensures that scientific progress leads to practical improvements for people affected by dementia.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum funding amount?
Up to NOK 500,000 per project.
What is the funding period?
From 1 January 2027 to 31 December 2028, with projects lasting up to 12 months.
Who can apply?
PhD-qualified researchers at Norwegian research institutions.
What costs are covered?
Running costs such as lab materials, equipment, analysis, and conferences.
Are salaries covered?
No, salary costs and overheads are not eligible.
Is user involvement required?
Yes, or a justification must be provided if not applicable.
What research areas are included?
All dementia types, including causes, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment (excluding care research).
Conclusion
The Norwegian Health Association Dementia Research Funding Call 2027 strengthens dementia research in Norway by supporting collaboration, networking, and high-quality scientific work. By funding running costs and fostering interdisciplinary engagement, it helps accelerate research that improves diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes for people living with dementia.
For more information, visit Norwegian Health Association.