Overview
The Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications has the responsibility for yearly and long-range investment plans and advance planning (national transport plans). Normally government research money is channelled into programmes run by the Research Council of Norway. The Ministry had wanted to focus research on special needs tied to its own operations. Therefore a smaller programme (POT), financed directly by the Ministry, was established.
The POT programme finances projects which are relevant for the national planning process within the national administration and the political process. An important aim is to improve the basis for ranking projects, describing impacts, analysis of cost-benefit etc. Also the platform for political decisions will thereby be improved.
The Ministry of Transport and Communications has organised an advisory group. Participants are the ministry's underlying authorities and administrations and the Ministry of Fisheries and Coastal Affairs. The group advises on what subjects should be given priority on the next announcements and cooperate in deciding on what proposals should be financed in the next period.
Funding
Public funding, approximately NOK 5 million per year (= approx. 620 kEuro)