Deadline: 14-Aug-25
The Nordic Initiative for Research Networks within Natural Science and Related Engineering Fields promotes research collaboration and support the establishment of new research networks in the natural sciences and engineering in the Nordic countries, which seek to explore novel research directions, build a strong Nordic platform at the cutting edge of emerging fields, or form new and potentially transformative links across what is usually considered distinct disciplines.
In addition to the positive effect of training young students and early-stage researchers in the Nordic countries, a future network would take the form of a joint platform for both younger and experienced researchers to formulate new common research directions and goals. This could eventually lead to larger-scale Nordic collaborative projects, such as the initiatives currently funded through NordForsk and, in a European context, secure a strong inter-Nordic component in forming consortia in connection with larger EU projects.
Aim of the Call and Thematic Framework
- By establishing a Nordic initiative for interdisciplinary research networks within natural science and engineering, the Joint Committee of the Natural Science Research Councils in the Nordic Countries (NOS-N) wishes to facilitate collaboration between scientists with clear potential for synergies within the Nordic countries and bolster the international competitiveness, innovative nature, and ground-breaking potential of Nordic research. Through an emphasis on early-stage researchers (2-7 years after completion of their PhD), NOS-N also wishes to encourage the next generation of Nordic researchers to create new or tighter links across national and discipline borders and build strong collegial networks with a decisive impact on future careers and research trajectories.
- Network activities should include a strong component in the training of the next generation of researchers with interdisciplinary skills in natural sciences and related engineering topics in the Nordic countries. Hence, NOS-N encourages applicants to include summer schools and similar ones for PhD students and postdocs in the network.
- Each network must have a single project owner, but applicants must account in the proposal for how participants from all of the involved disciplines will be substantially and preferably equally involved in the project. All participating researchers should thus take on responsibility for the scientific progress of the project.
Funding Information
- The available budget is op to NOK 30 million.
- Maximum amount of funding that may be sought: NOK 2 million
Eligibility Criteria
- To be eligible for funding, the following conditions must be met:
- All proposals must be written in English.
- The consortium must include at least four research-performing organisations from at least three different Nordic countries. Nordic countries are defined here as Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, the Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland.
- The host institution (project owner) for the research project must be an established research-performing organisation, such as a university, university college, or research institute based in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.
- The project leader must be a qualified early-career researcher (PhD) with at least two but not more than seven years of experience following the completion of their PhD.
- The project leader must be employed by the host institution (project owner) for the duration of the project.
- Each participating country must be represented by at least two early-career researchers (PhD): one to co-ordinate activities at the national level and a second to support the co-ordination work.
- An early-career researcher may serve as project leader for only one application under this call. However, research institutions may be affiliated with more than one application.
For more information, visit NordForsk.