The new initiative to bring more international researchers to Norway is ready

The Norwegian government has introduced a new initiative aimed at attracting top international researchers to the country.

Minister of Research and Higher Education, Sigrun Aasland (Labour Party), wants to bring more world-class researchers to Norway. A new funding scheme, with a total budget of 29.6 million USD, is now in place.

(Photo: Fredrik Varfjell, NTB)

NTB . Norwegian News Agency

Published 8 June 2025 - 00:01

The programme is open to researchers from all countries outside Europe and aims to fund up to 30-40 researchers relocating to Norway. It has a framework of NOK 300 million (29.6 million USD) allocated over the years 2025 to 2028.

Most viewed

The foreign researchers cannot reside in or be employed by European institutions. Russia is excluded from the scheme.

It was in April that Minister of Research and Higher Education Sigrun Aasland (Labour Party) announced a new scheme through the Research Council of Norway to bring international top researchers to Norway.

"This is something I have been passionate about for a long time, almost since I started in this position," Aasland tells Khrono (link in Norwegian).

She says the government has great ambitions for the internationalisation of Norwegian research, but believes that Norway currently has too few tools to attract the most experienced researchers.

The initiative comes in response to the challenging situation for academic freedom in the world, including in the USA and several other countries.

Director of the Research Council, Mari Sundli Tveit, says in a press release that the scheme will contribute to increased mobility and give Norwegian research institutions the opportunity to connect with talented international researchers.

The Research Council reviewed the scheme in a meeting on Monday and will soon publish the call for applications on its website.

———

Translated by Alette Bjordal Gjellesvik

Read the Norwegian version of this article on forskning.no