OVERRIDING OBJECTIVES
The overriding objectives for NordForsk are to contribute to strengthen and further develop the Nordic region as one of the most dynamic research and innovation regions in the world. The primary task of NordForsk is to promote efficient co-operation between the Nordic countries, in terms of research and research education of the highest international quality.
NordForsk will focus on fields of research where the Nordic countries have an international position of strength, but can also choose to promote strategically important areas where the countries consider that joint Nordic efforts would make it possible for the desired development of research and researcher training of international quality and strength to be achieved more rapidly.
The primary basis for the initiatives of NordForsk will be national priorities, as expressed in national programmes or in initiatives taken by the research councils, universities, other research institutions, etc
ACTIVITIES AND TASKS
Projects funded by NordForsk should normally include at least three Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden) or autonomous areas (the Faroe Islands, Greenland and the Aland Islands). Many NordForsk activities are open to all countries in the Nordic region, which in addition to the Nordic countries includes the adjacent areas Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and North-Western Russia. Research training institutions in these areas are offered the opportunity to take part in NordForsk-activities both at institutional and individual levels, the latter in terms of participation in researcher training courses (the person responsible for the training course is also responsible for applying for this kind of support).
NordForsk aims to take into account the workloads of applicants and wants to minimize unnecessary work. Consequently NordForsk has partially altered the application process. For some instruments a two-step procedure will be used, in which the first step only involves submission of a short description of the proposed project. Only those who pass on to the second step will write a complete application.
Please note that NordForsk opens and closes calls and that there are no recurring deadlines for activities (i.e. continuously open calls).
Decisions on funding will be made by the NordForsk secretariat or board with the support of different types of external expert assistance. Decisions cannot be appealed.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS
The application deadlines and the application forms are found under each activity in the menu to the left.
We ask the applicant to:
carefully read NordForsk’s guidelines and instructions for applicants
complete the application form accurately
submit the application with all the necessary information
If your application does not meet the demands of NordForsk, or if something is lacking from it, it will be regarded as invalid. Complementary information is requested only in exceptional cases.
NB! A complete application must reach NordForsk by 16.00 on date of the deadline!
The application must be submitted in electronic format
You must send the application form to NordForsk as an e-mail attachment to the e-mail address stated in the application form. Note that the subject field must contain the type of activity and the name of the applicant. The application should be sent as a one-document-file; appendices are not accepted.
The complete application must be received by NordForsk electronically before the deadline. Please send the e-mail only once! A notification that the application has been received will be sent immediately by automatic e-mail. Late applications will not be considered.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
(for guidelines for specific grants, look up your category in the menu to the left)
NordForsk-activities should be of high quality, goal-oriented, limited in time, and clearly show the added value of the Nordic dimension.
NordForsk supports initiatives in all scientific fields. NordForsk strives for lasting and sustainable co-operation among Nordic research groups.
NordForsk encourages applicants to add an international dimension by involving researchers and research groups from elsewhere in Europe and the world.
NordForsk funding should mainly cover costs arising in connection with co-operation between countries. Salaries and fees are reimbursed only in exceptional circumstances). NordForsk does not support overhead costs, taxes or similar costs. Therefore, if such costs arise, a degree of co-financing is expected from the participating institutions.
For transportation, diet and accommodation, inexpensive alternatives should be used. As a rule, a maximum of NOK 1200 per day per person may be used for diet and accommodation.
Funding is not granted retroactively.
PAYMENT OF GRANTS
Successful applicants will receive a grant letter accompanied by a requisition form. The requisition form of awarded funding can be sent to NordForsk at the earliest 3 months before the activity starts. Note that payment will normally take up to 3 weeks.
For all NordForsk’s activities the payment is made to the institution of the applicant or to the institution of the financially responsible person. The funding is administered by the Financial Officer of the University or Institution concerned. The requisition form must be signed by the applicant and by a person who has the legal and financial right to sign on behalf of the institution. The original signed form is sent to NordForsk.
CONDITIONS FOR FUNDING
A condition for all NordForsk funding is that the plans outlined in the application are carried out, and that the applicants adhere to the terms and conditions stated by NordForsk. Major changes require prior approval by the NordForsk secretariat, while minor changes should be reported to NordForsk (nordforsk@nordforsk.org) well in advance.
NordForsk reserves the right to withhold payment or request repayment of the granted funding, if the conditions have not been fulfilled or if vital economical information has been withheld.
REPORTING
A scientific and financial report must be sent to NordForsk within three months of the termination date of the grant, using the report form that can be downloaded from NordForsk‘s web site (www.nordforsk.org). The report should contain a summary in such a form that it can be put on NordForsk’s web site.
Any surplus shall be repaid to NordForsk‘s account within the same period of time. For institutional grants the financial report must be signed by the Financial Officer of the university or institution concerned. The granted amount and the financial report will be given in NOK. The exchange rate of the financial report is fixed to the first weekday of the month following the termination date of the grant. Projects that span several years must normally submit interim reports at the end of each year.
http://www.nordforsk.org/meny.cfm?m=142&lid=3
