Innovation and Research Cooperation

Nordic research co-operation involves Nordic research institutions, fixed-term research programmes, Nordic Centres of Excellence (NCoE), grant schemes and the co-ordination and planning of major infrastructure investments. The overall objective is to promote research of the highest possible international quality.

The Ministers of Education and Research are responsible for the sector. A Committee of Senior Officials prepares all the work and meetings on their behalf.

The Nordic Research Board (www.nordforsk.org) was established in early 2005 to co-ordinate Nordic research. Its main job is to promote efficient co-operation between the Nordic countries on questions related to research and researcher training of the highest international quality.

For more information on research cooperation of the Nordic Council of Ministers please click here.



Cooperation within Education and Research is highlighted as one of the priorities within the Nordic Council of Ministers' Knowledge Building and Networking Program.

On 16 January 2008 the Nordic Council of Ministers has announced posting a total of DKK 6 million in closer research and training co-operation as part of its North-West Russia Knowledge Building and Networking Programme. A DKK 4.5 million sub-programme is being put out to tender for co-operation on training, while DKK 1.5 million has been earmarked for Nordic Centres of Excellence and stakeholders in North-West Russia.

"We are delighted to avail ourselves of this opportunity to work more closely with Russia. It is part of our ongoing efforts to maintain the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region as part of Europe. Prioritising education, training and research is in close keeping with the decision by the Nordic Prime Ministers that the Nordic Region should be better equipped to face the challenges posed by globalisation," the Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers, Halldór Asgrimsson, commented on the closer collaboration with North-West Russia.

Within the frameworks of the cooperation tenders in education and research will be open for applications.

Applications for support of activities within the frameworks of education willl be processed by The Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU)  Applications must involve at least one Nordic institution working with at least one institution in North-West Russia.
The deadline for applications will be March, 15.

On the research side the tendering process is organised by NordForsk. The objective is to identify common priorities in research and researcher training and establish jointly funded activities.

EDUCATION

The call for proposals is open for preparatory actions in cooperation between Nordic Countries and North-West Russia on all levels of education, from basic and vocational to high school and adult learning.

Grants will be given to the following preparatory activities:

• Network activities
• Preparatory visits and partner search activities
• Contact seminars
• Preparatory studies / feasibility studies aiming at long-term cooperation

Maximum application amount: 200 000 DKK.

In the selection of projects, cooperation in the following areas will be given priority:

• Introducing ICT in education
• Distance learning and virtual college and university courses
• Inclusive education, special needs education
• Education and the changing needs of society
• Development of joint study programmes, primarily on the MA-level.
• Quality assurance of education
• Teacher training/retraining

More information about the call for proposals within education is available at The Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU)

RESEARCH

More information about the cooperation within research is available at NordForsk.



Edited February 7, 2008