Call for Exploratory Networks within Humanities and Social Sciences

Deadline: 15-Apr-2026

NordForsk is funding up to 22 Nordic exploratory research networks in the humanities and social sciences. The call offers up to NOK 1.5 million per project for up to three years, with a total budget of NOK 33 million. Consortia must include research-performing organisations from at least four Nordic countries, and project leaders must be early-career researchers with 2–7 years of postdoctoral experience.

About the Funder: NordForsk

NordForsk is an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers that funds and facilitates Nordic research cooperation.

This call supports exploratory research networks in the humanities and social sciences across the Nordic region.

Purpose of the Call

The main objectives are to:

• Promote bottom-up, curiosity-driven research

• Strengthen Nordic research collaboration

• Support early-career researchers in building leadership capacity

• Enhance Nordic added value and international competitiveness

• Facilitate academic career pathways

• Generate societal impact across the Nordic region

The initiative is designed to foster long-term cross-border research cooperation and synergy across career stages.

What Is an Exploratory Research Network?

An exploratory research network is a structured collaboration among researchers from multiple Nordic countries aimed at:

• Developing new research ideas

• Building cross-border partnerships

• Supporting early-career leadership

• Testing innovative and creative approaches

• Preparing for larger research collaborations

These networks focus on networking, mobility, and knowledge exchange rather than full-scale research project funding.

Funding Details

• Total Call Budget: Up to NOK 33 million

• Maximum Funding per Network: NOK 1.5 million

• Project Duration: Up to 3 years

• Number of Networks Funded: Up to 22

Eligible Use of Funds

Funding may cover:

• Networking and mobility activities

• Research stays

• Meetings and workshops

• Writing camps

• Conferences

• Training activities

• Dissemination and outreach

• Stakeholder involvement

• Coordination costs (including limited salary support)

Physical meetings funded must take place in Nordic countries. Participation in conferences outside the Nordic region is allowed but subject to geographic restrictions.

Who Is Eligible?

Consortium Requirements

• At least four Nordic countries must be represented

• Eligible Nordic countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Faroe Islands, Greenland, and Åland Islands

• All partners must be research-performing organisations

• Host organisation must be located in one of the co-funding Nordic countries

Project Leader Requirements

The project leader must:

• Hold a PhD

• Have 2–7 years of postdoctoral experience

• Be employed by the host organisation for the entire project duration

Additional Eligibility Rules

• Applicants may participate in only one proposal under this call

• A signed Letter of Commitment from the Project Owner is mandatory

• Organisations based in the Russian Federation, Belarus, or Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine are not eligible

How to Apply

1. Form a consortium with eligible research-performing organisations from at least four Nordic countries.

2. Confirm eligibility of the host institution and project leader.

3. Develop a clear network plan outlining objectives, activities, and Nordic added value.

4. Prepare required documentation, including the Letter of Commitment.

5. Submit the proposal electronically through the NordForsk application portal.

6. Ensure the proposal is written in English.

Applications must be submitted before the specified deadline via the official portal.

Evaluation Process

Proposals are assessed through:

1. Distributed peer review

2. Evaluation by the NOS-HS committee

3. Final funding decision by the NordForsk Board

Final funding decisions are expected to be announced in October 2026.

Why This Call Matters

This funding opportunity:

• Empowers early-career researchers to lead Nordic collaborations

• Strengthens research capacity in humanities and social sciences

• Builds cross-border academic networks

• Enhances Nordic global research competitiveness

• Encourages innovation and interdisciplinary synergy

It plays a strategic role in consolidating long-term Nordic research cooperation.

Tips for a Strong Proposal

• Clearly articulate the Nordic added value

• Demonstrate strong cross-border collaboration

• Highlight early-career leadership and development

• Provide a structured three-year activity plan

• Show potential for long-term research impact

• Ensure full compliance with eligibility criteria

Avoid proposals that resemble full research projects instead of exploratory networks.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How much funding can each network receive?
Up to NOK 1.5 million per project.

2. How many networks will be funded?
Up to 22 networks.

3. How long can the project run?
Up to three years.

4. How many countries must be involved?
At least four Nordic countries.

5. Who can lead a project?
An early-career researcher with a PhD and 2–7 years of postdoctoral experience employed at the host institution.

6. Are non-Nordic organisations eligible?
All core partners must be research-performing organisations within eligible Nordic countries.

7. When will funding decisions be announced?
Expected in October 2026.

Conclusion

The NordForsk Exploratory Research Networks call provides significant support for early-career researchers in the humanities and social sciences to build Nordic-wide collaborations. With up to NOK 1.5 million per project and a focus on cross-border networking, mobility, and innovation, the programme strengthens the Nordic research ecosystem and enhances international competitiveness across the region.

For more information, visit NordForsk.