Participant
Norges Forskningsrad, Research Council of Norway (RCN)
The Research Council of Norway is a national strategic body and funding agency for research and innovation activities. The Research Council covers all fields of research and innovation and works together with research institutions as well as the private and public sectors to reach the national financial goals and quality targets set in this area.
The Research Council plays a vital role in developing and implementing the country's national research strategy. It acts as
- Government adviser, identifying present and future needs for knowledge and research, and recommending national priorities;
- Funding agency for research programmes and independent projects, strategic programmes at research institutions, and Norwegian participation in international research activities. The Research Council has an annual budget of some NOK 4,5 billion and utilises specifically targeted funding schemes to help translate national research policy goals into action.
- Co-ordinator, initiating networks and promoting co-operation between research institutions, ministries, business and industry, public agencies and enterprises, other sources of funding, and users of research.
Approximately one third of Norway's public sector research investment is channelled through the Research Council. The remainder is transferred directly from the ministries to the relevant research institutions. In 2003 RCN had a budget of NOK 4,4 billion (approximately 500 million Euro).
Annual budget for some research programs (approximate):
- Climate change, impacts and adaptations (12 million euro)
- Clean energy systems (19,5 million euro),
- Biodiversity (2 million euro),
- Changing landscapes (2,5 million euro),
- Marine resources (4,5 million euro),
- Aquaculture (12,5 million euro),
- Pollution (5,5 million euro),
- Wild-salmon (1 million euro)
Further information can be found on RCN's Science and Research homepage.