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Call for Proposals: Responsible use of Artificial Intelligence

Deadline: 13-May-25

NordForsk has launched funding for a minimum of 12 Nordic and Nordic-Baltic research projects for making the most of the potentials and mitigating the risks and harmful consequences of the use of Artificial Intelligence in the Nordic-Baltic region.

Research is essential to build an improved understanding of how artificial intelligence can be deployed and used responsibly, to understand its societal consequences, to fully appreciate the possible ramifications of misuse, and to take advantage of its significant potentials in its numerous areas of application. There is a lack of research-based knowledge, which has consequences for the full utilization of the advantages of AI, for example in the development of regulatory frameworks and guidelines.

A strategic priority of the Nordic Council of Ministers is for the Nordic collaboration to contribute to a green, competitive and socially sustainable region. Responsible and ethical use of AI will be vital in achieving these priorities as well as many of the UN sustainability goals. Research is essential to be able to release the potential of technology solutions in a knowledgeable, responsible and ethically sound way.

Aim and Scope 
  • The aim of this call is to fund excellent research activities that address shared Nordic and Nordic-Baltic societal challenges in the context of extensive use and implementation of AI in the region. The initiative should contribute to cross-border mobilization of capacity and competence building among Nordic and Nordic-Baltic research communities and strengthen networks and collaborations.
  • Unlike traditional AI research and innovation, which often centers on pure technological advancements, this initiative seeks to explore the use, development and implementation of AI, on an individual, organizational and societal level, creating prerequisites for responsible and critical future approaches. Approaches focusing on pure AI technology advancement or development are not included in this framework whereas approaches which seek to optimize existing AI methods or algorithms towards responsible use and functionalities are included.
Thematic Framework
  • The technological development of Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving, and its use and implementation is changing and developing in unpredictable patterns. Ethical and responsible use of AI is at the heart of this initiative. Applications should respond to societal challenges that the Nordic and Nordic-Baltic region is facing. These challenges include, but are not limited to, aging populations, ongoing structural developments in the labor market, societal and political polarisation, health systems, education, competence development and lifelong learning and the green transition of the economy. Projects are expected to support optimal utilization of AI, with minimal risks and threats, and to the benefits of citizens, businesses and the societies. Applications should also address AI specific challenges with a clear Nordic or Nordic-Baltic added value.
  • In addition, proposals should consider the following aspects:
    • Early career researchers, capacity building among research and innovation communities is central to developing sound and informed responses and governance structures. An aspect of capacity building is fostering early career researchers in the field. It is encouraged that early career researchers are included in key roles in proposals.
    • Interdisciplinarity, where relevant research questions are addressed by combining and integrating skills from multiple disciplines.
    • Comparative research approaches, where the researchers take advantage of the opportunities that the different datasets, socioeconomic and political frameworks in the Nordic and Baltic countries provide.
    • Engagement with societal stakeholders with the aim of creating societal impact of the research. Research in this call is expected to provide knowledge for decision-makers, civil servants, and different relevant stakeholders.
Funding Information
  • Available Budget
    • Available Nordic budget: up to 196 MNOK
    • Available Estonian budget: 300,000 EUR
    • Available Latvian budget: 600,000 EUR
    • Available Lithuanian budget: 300,000 EUR
  • Maximum amount of Nordic funding that may be sought: 16.3 million NOK.
Eligibility Criteria
  • To be eligible for funding, the following conditions must be met:
    • Proposals must be submitted electronically through the NordForsk Call and Application Portal by the call deadline.
    • All proposals must be written in English.
    • A researcher may only serve as project leader for one application under this call. However, research institutions may be affiliated with more than one application.
    • The research consortium must include research performing organisations in at least four Nordic or Baltic countries, of which at least three must be Nordic. Nordic countries are defined here as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland Islands.
    • The host institution (Project Owner) for the research project must be an established research performing organization based in one of the countries co-funding the call: Denmark, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Project owners, project leaders and project participants from Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania must be eligible to receive funding from ETAG, LCS, or RCL, respectively. See Annex 1 for more information.
    • If the project owner is based in Estonia, Latvia or Lithuania, the project must appoint a co-host institution in Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Iceland or Finland which NordForsk enters into contract with concerning the Nordic part of the project. A contact person must be appointed from the co-host institution and will serve as NordForsk’s administrative contact point.
    • The project leader (and Nordic contact person) must be a qualified researcher with a PhD and employed by the host institution (Project Owner) throughout the duration of the project.
    • Project partners must be research performing institutions. Swedish project partners must fulfill the criteria for administering organization as defined by the Swedish Research Council.
    • Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian applicants and project participants must comply with the respective national rules.
    • The proposal must include a signed Letter of Commitment from each partner institution. Letters of Commitment must be signed by a person authorized to take on financial commitments on behalf of the institution for the entire duration of the project.
    • Organizations based in the Russian Federation and Belarus may not participate in projects funded by this call.

For more information, visit NordForsk.