The Research and Development Division at Nord University has a support function for applications for external funding, with dedicated advisers for applications to the EU (Horizon Europe).
Contact us early in the application phase so that we can help assess the need and extent of support.
The EU's framework program for research and innovation, Horizon Europe, is one of the world's largest programs for innovation and research. The program will allocate 95.5 billion euros over seven years from 2021. Norwegian companies and research organizations can participate in line with colleagues and partners in other European countries.
Horizon Europe is divided into three main pillars:
1. Outstanding research
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions is under pillar 1. This is the EU's mobility program for research, with various instruments for, among other things, postdoctoral scholarships, European doctoral collaboration or researcher exchange.
For the MSCA Postdoctoral fellowship, Nord University has its own system for recruitment and courses through the MSCA PF Masterclass. Read more about it in a separate tab below.
The European Research Council (ERC) promotes scientific quality and bold and innovative research at the international research front by investing in the best researchers and the best ideas. The calls here are "bottom-up" and the projects are defined by the researchers themselves.
The ERC has three funding schemes:
- Starting Grants (StG) for younger researchers
- Consolidator Grants (CoG) for researchers with 7-12 years of experience since completion of PhD
- Advanced Grants (AdG) for experienced researchers
Read more about the ERC on the EU's own website.
2. Global challenges and European industrial competitiveness
Pillar 2 is divided into six thematic clusters, where the announcements are "top-down" according to political focus areas. These are collaborative projects that require a network of at least three European partners. Contact the research administration as early as possible if you are considering applying for pillar 2, for clarification of support.
Thematic clusters (often referred to as clusters 1-6):
- Health
- Culture, creativity and inclusive society
- Community safety
- ICT, industry and space travel
- Food, bioeconomy, natural resources, agriculture and the environment
3. Innovative Europe
Here you will find calls for business, but universities can also play a role as research partners in Pillar 3 projects.
The research administration at Nord University has dedicated EU advisers. Get in touch for advice on applications to Horizon Europe. We also offer project establishment support (PES) for EU applications which can be used for travel, consultancy, etc.
You can find more information about the PES scheme in a separate tab below (internal funds).
The most important source of official information, guidance and current announcements from the framework program can be found on the EU's Horizon Europe portal and the EU's Funding & Tender opportunities portal.
MSCA PF is a separate call under the Horizon Europe pillar. It comes every year and is bottom-up, which means that the candidates together with their supervisors decide for themselves which subject area and topic they want to apply for.
The Research Council of Norway (NFR) is a national research funding body. It is the most important research policy adviser for the government, the ministries and other central institutions and environments related to research and development (R&D).
NFR has calls that are linked to four main application deadlines during a calendar year. You can find the announcements here: The Research Council's announcements
For more information and current announcements, see The Research Council's website.
The research administration provides advice and guidance in connection with application processes towards NFR.
Project establishment support (PES funding)
Nord University has a framework grant for PES support via the Research Council of Norway. These are funds that can be used to develop applications, increase competence or position the professional environment towards the EU's framework program for research, Horizon Europe.
The applications are processed continuously.
Questions or elaboration of the application can be sent by e-mail to irene.andreassen@nord.no.
