Research and Innovation background
The Government attaches great importance to research and knowledge, both as political objectives on their own and as the basis for policy in other areas. Below are the key strategy documents guiding Norway’s R&I landscape:
- Long-term Plan for Research and Higher Education for the Period 2019-2028. This plan sets a strategic agenda for national research and higher education, highlighting technological advancement, restructuring in business R&D, and enhancing quality in higher education.
- Strategy for Research and Innovation Cooperation with the EU: This document outlines Norway’s goals and ambitions for participation in Horizon 2020 and the European Research Area (ERA), and presents measures that are necessary for achieving this targets.
- National Transport Plan (NTP) 2022-2033: Issued every four years, this White Paper by the Ministry of Transport outlines Norway’s long-term transport goals, including sustainable development and infrastructure priorities.
Institutional framework of transport research
The Norwegian research system has two levels: policy level and strategy level. The research policy level comprises the Norwegian national assembly, the Government, and the ministries.
Key institutions include:
- Ministry of Education and Research: Oversees national R&I policy. The Department of Research, within the ministry, has the overall responsibility for designing and supervising research policy and exercising the Minister’s coordination tasks in research issues. The Department also prepares reports on the research to Parliament, coordinates R&D funding in the National Budget, and acts as secretariat for the Cabinet Research Committee.
- Research Council of Norway: Norway’s primary research institution. The Research Council identifies strategic research areas, allocates research funds and evaluates research in all areas and disciplines. The Council is the principal research policy adviser to the ministries and is the meeting place and network builder for Norwegian research. Universities and colleges also have important roles in strategic research planning.
- Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries: Responsible for setting national priorities in transport research and policy. These ministries are responsible for defining transport policy and have an impact on establishing national priorities for transport research. They are supported by:
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
Current ongoing national programmes
Norway funds transport and general research projects through both sector-specific programmes and broad initiatives led by the Research Council. Major programmes include:
- Pilot-T Programme: This initiative, managed by the Research Council of Norway and Innovation Norway, focuses on developing new mobility and transport solutions through innovation and research, including R&D activities, prototyping, and demonstration projects. The program encourages collaboration between R&D providers and industry partners to bring emerging transport technologies closer to market readiness.
- TRANSPORT 2025: This long-term programme aims to develop an integrated, future-oriented, and emissions-free transport system in Norway. By supporting projects that advance knowledge and provide solutions for effective and sustainable transport, it aims to address the needs of both public and commercial transport sectors. The program also seeks to promote a high level of international collaboration and has specific targets for doctoral fellowships and research-driven innovation centres.
- Green Platform Initiative: This initiative promotes sustainable economic growth by funding large-scale projects that create new green industries, including transport. The focus is on collaborative projects that can scale Norway's green transformation, integrating sustainable transport solutions with environmental goals.
International research and development cooperation programmes and partnerships of the European Union relevant to Norway are listed on the Research Council of Norway website:
- EEA and Norway Grants: this scheme issues calls for proposals for bilateral projects in which Norwegian partners can participate.
- Bilateral research cooperation on thematic areas (with countries including Japan, Canada and the USA)
(Last updated: 04/11/2024)