UiT Talent
UiT's new strategy, Eallju–Drivkraft i nord, sets ambitious goals for UiT's professional activities in research, education, innovation and dissemination until 2030. It is necessary for UiT's development as a research university that the externally financed part of the activity is developed into increased capacity in research, education, innovation, and communication. Toward achieving that goal, effort and commitment is required from managers, scientific staff, and the research administrative support apparatus. UiT Talent is a comprehensive support program that includes tools that aim at inspiring and supporting an increased number of new project proposals for external funding, both nationally and internationally.
Active participation in the national and international research arenas is seen as crucial for the development of UiT as a leading research institution as desribed in UiT's strategy, Eallju–Drivkraft i nord. The comprehensive set of research support tools and programs within UiT Talent aim at underpinning UiT's strategy and strengtehning UiT as an institution of knowledge production by providing a solid support system for UiT researchers to define and achieve their middle- and long-term career goals, and develop research projects for external funding that are best fit for their career stage, skills, and profile as researchers. Furthermore, UiT Talent research also aims at proactively strengthening the competitive potential of research environments at UiT that do not yet have experience in acquiring external research funding. UiT Talent's cross-cutting tools complement the faculties' tools to strengthen academic quality and scope so that the institution can achieve its research goals.
UiT Aurora Outstanding
The talent development program UiT Aurora Outstanding is a part of UiT Talent. The program is designed to give selected young researchers at UiT the very best opportunities to qualify as international scientific leaders in their fields. The program aims at enhancing the participants career towards becoming a leader of an internationally recognized rsearch group, and to strenghten their opportunity to gain highly competitive external funding. The program is a collaboration betwenn UiT The Arctic University of Norway and Tromsø Research Foundation (TFS).
The participants in the program are young researchers who have already proven themselves competitive in the following arenas:
- Marie Skƚodowska-Curie Individual/Postdoctoral Fellowship
- ERC Starting Grant
- Tromsø Research Foundation Starting Grant
- RCN's Young Research Talents
- NCMM- Centre for Molecular Medicine Norway
Participants are offered training in various transferable skills, and a local, interdiciplinary and social network for young, ambitious researchers at UiT.
Sist oppdatert: 24.04.2023Arctic MSCA-PF Program
The Arctic MSCA-PF Program is a support program for postdoctoral candidates seeking funding through the EU's career and mobility program Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) with UiT The Arctic University of Norway as host. The Arctic MSCA-PF Program supports applicants for both European and Global Fellowships.
For more information about eligibility and program structure, visit the Arctic MSCA Program website.
Sist oppdatert: 26.04.2023Bridging the Gap MSCA-ERC
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows (PFs) at UiT who have or will (within 1 year after the MSCA-PF period is ended) apply for ERC funding are eligible to apply for a transition grant (Bridging the Gap MSCA-ERC) to ensure funding in the period while waiting for the result of the ERC application.
The following guidelines apply to the application process and the implementation of the grant:
- Who can apply?
Postdoctoral researchers/researchers at UiT who have or in the last 12 months (at the relevant application deadline for the transition grant) have had funding through the EU's MSCA-IF or MSCA-PF who have submitted or will submit an application for an ERC Starting or Consolidator grant.
• What can be applied for?
You can apply for salary funds for up to one year. The ERC evaluation process is two-stage and the transition grant must at least cover the period up to the expected response to stage two.
- When can you apply?
Applications can be submitted during the period of project funding from MSCA-IF/PF and up to one year after the end of project funding from MSCA-IF /PF.
- Application requirements
The application is filled in by the applicant and sent to the dean/director with a copy to the research administration at the relevant faculty/unit by the deadline. Application form is available in the Teams ares for Aurora Outstanding Fellows.
- Application deadlines
There are 2 annual deadlines: 1 April and 1 October.
- Processing procedure and assessment criteria
The application is processed in a two-stage process. The faculties/units v/dean/director make the first assessment based on strategic assessments. In the case of several applications, a ranking is made. The applications are then sent to level 1 v/rector who makes the final assessment of support based on funds available in the strategic fund. If not all applications can be supported, applications are selected based on a lottery model.
Sist oppdatert: 28.04.2023ERC Mentoring Program
The European Research Council's grants are aimed at Europe's most outstanding researchers with high-risk projects that can potentially move the research front. ERC grants are divided into 4 main categories: Starting Grant (2-7 years after PhD), Consolidator Grant (7-12 years after PhD), Advanced Grant (10 years track record), as well as Synergy Grant (2-4 PIs from the mentioned categories apply together). Applying for these funds requires good planning and an understanding of what the main features of an ERC project are.
The ERC Mentoring Program offers
- open courses to all researchers at UiT interested in ERC grants. For more information, sign up for Forskernytt (see bottom of this page).
- pre-assessment of applicants' CV and project
- support in the application phase, including internal review of project proposals, assistance from external consultants, PES funds upto 100 000 NOK (for language cleaning, graphic illustrations, etc.), interview training if the proposal reaches Stage 2
For more information and to enrol in the program, contact Theresa Mikalsen at theresa.mikalsen@uit.no.
Sist oppdatert: 28.04.2023Priority Program
The Priority Program supports researchers who are developing project proposals for international cooperative projects in Horizon Europe's Pillar 2 (Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness). The instrument includes support tailored to the coordinating researcher's needs during the project development phase.
- Who can apply?
The Priority Program supports researchers who are developing projects proposals for Pillar 2 as coordinators, work-package leaders, or as partners.
- What kind of support is available?
The Priority Program offers flexible support tailored to the researchers' role in the project and their needs. Regardless of their role in the project, all researchers can apply for Project Establishment Support (PES), which provides them with financial means that they can freely use to support project development, consortium building, project meetings, etc. The amount of PES varies based on the role in the project (coordinator, WP-leader, or partner).
On top of the PES funds, project coordinators are also provided with external consultation throughout the whole project development phase and project development support from level 1.
For more details and to receive the confidential list of upcoming Pillar 2 calls (not yet available on the Funding and Tenders Portal) please contact your faculty EU administration or Kata Bohus at UiT's Central EU office. For tips and more information, visit the støtteportalen on UiT's intranet (requires login with Feide).
- How to apply?
To enrol in the Priority Program, contact Kata Bohus at kata.bohus@uit.no.
Sist oppdatert: 15.10.2024UiT High Score
This instrument is aimed at UiT researchers who have already applied for external funding and received a good evaluation ("high score"), but their project has not been funded. The instrument is part of the UIT Talent and aims to encourage these researchers to apply for external funding again.
There will be two annual calls for UiT High Score, one in April and one in October. The announcements (with details of the exact application deadline and procedure) will be announced on this page, through Forskernytt (subscribe to this newsletter here), as well as through letters to all faculties/units.
The application deadline for the next call is April 10th 2026.
UiT researchers who have already applied for external funding and received a good evaluation, but their application has not been funded, can apply for UiT High Score.
Good evaluation ("high score") is defined as:
- The Norwegian Research Council: grade ≥ 61 (≥4 with the new score system).For SFF/SFI, evaluation applies in step 2 (applicants who have not reached step 2 do not have access to apply for this instrument)
- EU's Horizon Europe: ≥ 85% (applies to MSCA-DN) or ≥ 13 points2, or progressed to step 2 in a two-step application process
- KG Jebsen: applicants who have reached stage 2
Please note that these grades should not be considered as minimum grades to apply for UiT High Score. Applications with a lower grade on their original application may be granted if thecompetition allows it.
In order to be able to apply for UiT High Score, it is required that (i) the researcher3 has identified and plans to apply for a new call and (ii) that UiT must be the host/project owner for the new application as well.
Researchers can apply for UiT High Score within two years of the application deadline of the original application. If your UiT High Score application is rejected, you have the opportunity to apply again based on the same original application (which was evaluated "high score"). However, you have this opportunity only within the two year period after the application deadline of the original application that was evaluated "high score".
Researchers who have received Bridging the Gap MSCA-ERC, but have been rejected at stage 2 of their ERC application, do not have access to apply for UiT High Score based on their ERC application.
1The Norwegian Research Council operates with different grading systems. Sometimes an application receives 3 grades (Excellence, Impact and Implementation, other times there are two Excellence grades; potential for advancing the state-of-the-art and quality of R&D activities in addition to Impact and Implementation. For assessment of applications for the UiT High Score, Excellence weighs more than Impact and Implementation. Relevance to call is an additional category that is evaluated administratively by the Norwegian Research Council. This grade is not used as a basis in the assessment of allocation in the UiT High Score.
2In cases where the application has been given a overall grade (0-5 points), applications with ≥4 are defined as "high score".
3 It is open for assessment whether this should be the original applicant/project manager or whether there may be others in the research group (who were involved in the original application). A discretionary assessment is also made if the researcher did not apply with UiT as host in theur original application.
See an overview of the five categories and the available instruments here.
Researchers can apply for various measures, depending on which category the new application falls under1.
Researchers can apply for UiT High Score within two years of the application deadline of their original application (which was evaluated "high score").
A budget limit is set annually for UiT High Score, and if the budget limit is insufficient, applications may be rejected for budgetary reasons. In other words, the fact that the application meets the criteria for this instrument is no guarantee that funds will be awarded.
1 If, for example, you have applied and received a "high score" on an SFF application and want to revise the project idea to apply for a K.G. Jebsen Center you can apply for 1 postdoctoral position + operating funds: up to NOK 100,000/year for three years. The PhD position that is available for new SFF applications is therefore not available in this case.
The application form will be available here.
Note that the original application and evaluation letter must be attached.
The application should be sent via email to the Head of department, who approves it by forwarding the email to the Dean/faculty Director/faculty administration. The faculty uploads the application(s) in Elements 2025/49329 Søknader til UiT High Score vår 2026 with access code F § 26.4. The uploaded application(s) are sent in Elements to SeFI, cc’d Theresa Mikalsen, Kata Bohus og Rune Larsen before the deadline April 10th 2026.
The applications will be assessed administratively and decided by the rectorate based on the original application. The following criteria are used as a basis in this order:
- Applications that have received a higher score are prioritized over applications with a lower score
- Project size (budget)
- The project's potential to connect international partners to UiT
If you have any questions, please contact us at euresearch@uit.no.
FAQ
- I got 6,5,6 (overall assessment 6) on my NFR application. Can I apply for UiT High Score?
Yes. Applications with a lower grade grade on their original application may be granted if the competition allows.
Award for EU evaluators
The European Commission is constantly in need for experts to evaluate proposals. This is an excellent opportunity to get an insight in how the EU system works, learn how to write succesful proposals and get insights in the state of the art within your research field.
Learn more about how to works as an expert and find link to registration here.
UiT researchers working as EU experts will be rewarded with 10 000,- per panel participation (funding available for research activities). To release the funding, please send an email to euresearch@uit.no including the following:
- Your name
- Your faculty affiliation
- Name of EU call you served as evaluator
- Attach the contract with the European Commission
Complementary financing of MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows and PhD candidates
UiT ensures equal pay for all postdoctoral fellows and PhD candidates regardless of the original funding source (internal, Norwegian Research Council, EU, etc) and thus complements the salaries of MSCA financed postdoctoral fellows and PhDs when necessary to match those of internally funded postdocs.
Sist oppdatert: 28.04.20231/3 strengthening of SFF/SFI, SFU, FME and KGJ
Additional funding of already approved centers totaling 1/3 of the project funding. This is an established practice at all Norwegian universities and is expected from both the applicant (UiT researcher) and the funder (The Research Council and KGJ). This additional funding is split 50:50 between levels 1 and 2.
Sist oppdatert: 27.04.2023Research Environment Stimulation (RES)
This support program aims at strengthening research environments (research groups) that currently have limited experience in applying for external research funding and/or during the last five years have received low scores in evaluations of applications for external funding. The goal of this intrument is to help selected research groups become more competitive in order to secure external funding for their own research. The funding instrument will have a test phase between 2024 and 2027. During this period, RES will be announced for two faculties per year who will have the opportunity to select a research group each to submit an application. For the year of 2023, BFE and HSL were invited to suggest groups to develop proposal for this instrument. For the year 2024, groups at the Faculty of Law and Faculty of Health are invited to develop projects within this category.
The duration of an RES instrument is three years. During this period, UiT covers from the institutional level:
- one recruitment position for a mentor: the selected faculty administers a mentoring scheme consisting of an experienced research group leader, preferably from another faculty at UiT who helps the selected research group develop a project application and guides them in establishing career development plans. The mentor is awarded one recruitment position after an applicaion is submitted for external funding by the mentored research group;
- NOK 200 000 in operating funds for the supported research group;
- and opportunity for funding of a new recruitment position at the supported research group for up to three years.
HAVNÆR
Sist oppdatert: 28.02.2024
UiT prioritizes strengthening the quality of teaching and education at its own institution, and UiT Talent Education is an important tool in this work. The purpose of UiT Talent Education is to motivate the development of new and innovative teaching and assessment methods at UiT to provide increased quality in education, and better and relevant learning for students. We also aim to contribute to the development and submission of even more good applications for external grants in the field of education. At present, UiT Talent Education includes two measures: the Program for Educational Quality and Project Establishment Support (PES funding).
The Program for Educational Quality is a call-based grant scheme that will fund development projects at UiT. These projects can form the basis for an application for external funding, but it is not a requirement. A new call for proposals is issued every year, and the thematic focus will vary. PES funding, on the other hand, is directly linked to external funding and aims to increase the number of applications from UiT for funding from the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, Erasmus+, or other external actors. The scheme aims to relieve UiT applicants in connection with the design of project proposals and grant application writing, both in terms of costs and time spent, as well as contributing to the quality of submitted grant applications for external funding.![]()
Project Establishment Support (PES) - Education
If you are planning to apply for external funding for development of projects in the field of education, you can apply for a project establishment grant. The support scheme is run by internal funds from UiT and is administered by SeFI. The application form is filled out and submitted via Nettskjema.
If your goal is to establish a project under one of the centralized measures in Erasmus+, it is recommended that you instead apply for the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skill`s (HK-dir) support scheme specifically aimed at this.
Application deadline
Open-ended
Purpose
The PES funds on the education side are intended to increase the proportion of applications from UiT for funding from HK-dir. and other external actors. The scheme also aims to motivate UiT teachers to develop good educational projects and stimulate the development of new and innovative teaching and assessment methods, courses and programs at UiT to provide increased quality in education and better and relevant learning for students. PES Education should also help relieve applicants from UiT in connection with the design of project proposals and application writing, both in terms of costs and time spent, as well as contribute to improving the quality of submitted applications for external funding.
About the announcement
The support from PES Education should contribute to improving the quality of submitted applications for external funding. If you want access to PES funds, you must therefore apply as early as possible, preferably as soon as a planned project begins to take shape. The funds are available in the project establishment phase until the EU application deadline. If you submit the PES application to SeFI after this deadline, the application will be rejected. The support is only paid out if the work results in a concrete project proposal within the relevant deadline. The allocation is triggered retrospectively. A financial report is submitted before the funds are paid out. If the application is not submitted, or is invalid, the department must be prepared to cover 100% of the support amount.
Who can apply?
All academic staff and academic communities at UiT who plan to apply for external funding to develop education can apply for project establishment support. Applications can be prepared from a single academic community or from several different academic communities that have a common idea that is not limited to a specific field of study. Approval from all involved department heads must be attached to the application for PES funds to be granted.
Eligibility for Support
- Salary and release time (“frikjøp”) for employees at the university who are awarded PES in connection with, for example, application writing or other tasks related to the establishment of the project.
- Travel and meeting costs for both the applicant and other partners in the project.
- And so on.
There are both national and international initiatives that target education at all levels, from bachelor's to Ph.D., and these can also include work across all of UiT's seven areas of quality assurance. Academic communities can either apply individually or collaborate with other institutions. If collaboration with partners outside of Norway is an ambition, we recommend to take a look at the EU programs or the other international initiatives. Additionally, UiT's participation in the university alliance EUGLOH offers a range of opportunities for funding and collaborative projects with one of the other partner universities.
National funding opportunities
In the government's proposal for the 2024 state budget, most of the grant schemes from the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills (HK-dir), including the Centre of Excellence in Education and the Scheme for Flexible and Decentralised Education, are proposed to be phased out from 2024. There will therefore be no new calls for proposals from HK-dir. All projects that have been granted funding up to and including decisions made in 2023 are guaranteed to be completed within the approved project period.
EU-programmes
EU and Erasmus+ offer a range of grant schemes for mobility and collaboration projects across the entire educational pathway, as well as a program for digitalization and digital transformation within the sector. The list below is revised when new announcements are made:
- Cooperation projects (neste søknadsfrist 05.03.2024)
- Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters (frist utløpt for 2023)
- Teachers Academies (neste søknadsfrist 06.06.2024)
- Alliances for Innovation (neste søknadsfrist 07.05.2024)
- Forward-looking Projects (frist utløpt for 2023)
- Policy Experimentation (neste søknadsfrist 04.06.2024)
- Capacity building in higher education (frist utløpt for 2023)
- Centres of vocational excellence (neste søknadsfrist 07.05.2024)
- Jean Monnet activities (frist utløpt for 2023)
- Virtual exhanges in higher education and youth (neste søknadsfrist 25.04.2024)
- Digital Europe Courses and programmes
Other International funding opportunities
- Nordplus høyere utdanning (frist utløpt for 2024)
- Nordplus horisontal - for samarbeid på tvers av sektorer (frist utløpt for 2024)
- INTPART (ingen utlysning for øyeblikket)
- UTFORSK (neste søknadsfrist 15.04.24)
- Norhed (ingen utlysning for øyeblikket)
- Norpart (neste utlysning kommer trolig våren 2024)
- Thoroughly read the call for proposals to ensure that your application aligns with the specific criteria and requirements listed. This also includes adhering to any formal application guidelines, such as length limitations or directives regarding the use of application templates.
- Dive deep into the terminologies used in the call for proposals, and make sure you have a complete understanding of the terms. For instance, if asked to demonstrate how you will ensure "student involvement," make sure you have a clear grasp of what this entails and explain it in the context of your own project.
- Clearly demonstrate that the project is relevant and aligns with the call for proposals. This can be achieved by incorporating specific keywords or phrases from the call into your application or by following the structure outlined in the call. This way, those evaluating the application will quickly recognize the relevance between your project and the call’s requirements.
- Ensure that the structure of your application distinctly highlights how different aspects of the project are interconnected. This involves illustrating the connection between the organization of the project and the specific activities you plan to undertake. For example, showing how activities coincide with the timeline and budget items. A logical flow in the application makes it easier for the reader to track the project's progress.
- Be specific when describing the project. Specify the actual activities that will be carried out. While highlighting the project's significance may be easier than describing the detailed actions that will be performed, it`s essential to maintain a balance between explaining why the project is important and detailing what will actually be done during the project period. This provides a clearer understanding of how you intend to achieve your project goals and aids in evaluating whether the activities are realistic and relevant.
- Carefully edit the text, avoiding unnecessary repetitions of phrases and information. This ensures that the project doesn't get lost within needless text and makes it easier to understand the project's objectives and content.
- Include a risk assessment. Be sincere about potential weaknesses in the project. Customize the project to minimize obvious risk factors or show that you have an alternative plan if challenges emerge.
Program for Educational Quality 2026
UiT aims to strengthen the quality of teaching and education at the institution. An important source of funding for academic communities is the Programme for Educational Quality (PUK), administered by the Strategic Education Committee. PUK can provide funding for educational development projects lasting up to two years. The objective is to stimulate initiatives that enhance the quality of education at UiT. Projects involving innovation or further development of teaching and learning methods are encouraged.
In addition to development projects, this year it is also possible to apply for funding for educational research through this scheme. To qualify for funding, the research must be closely linked to one’s own educational practice and aim to contribute to concrete improvements in teaching and educational quality. The application must clearly describe how the research findings will be used to develop and improve practice at UiT, and how the project may lead to lasting change.
In 2026, the Programme for Educational Quality will have two calls for applications. The first deadline is set for 17 April, while the second deadline will be 1 October. From 2027 onwards, there will again be one annual call, with a fixed deadline of 1 October.
The first application round of the year is now open, and we encourage all academic communities to take advantage of the opportunity. The thematic focus for the first round of PUK 2026 is described below.
This year, the application must be completed using the attached application template, which must then be uploaded to Nettskjema. The total length of the application must not exceed eight pages.
Application deadline: 17.04.2026
Enquiries may be directed to Kristina Svensen at the Section for Learning Environment and Educational Quality.
We look forward to receiving your application!
Framework for the 2026 call
A total of NOK 5,000,000 will be allocated to internal projects at UiT. Applicants may request between NOK 200,000 and NOK 600,000 per project.
Projects receiving funding may be structured as development projects or pilots with ambitions for further external funding, where relevant. This may, for example, include the development of courses or educational offerings that could later be proposed to—and funded by—the EUGLOH alliance, or Erasmus+ funding schemes and programmes. However, the potential for later external funding is not a requirement.
Eligible applicants
Thematic priorities
This year, educational projects must relate to one of the following three thematic areas:
- Safe and inclusive learning environments and relationship‑building in education
- Student‑active learning methods
- Labour‑market relevance and practice
Project Requirements
- Integration into the study programmes: The content and results of the project must be transferable to study programmes and continued after the project period. One‑off activities—such as hiring external lecturers or organising student excursions—cannot be funded by PUK 2026 on their own.
- Student involvement: Student participation and involvement must be ensured. The application must clearly describe how students will be included in the project, and their contribution must be specified in the project budget.
- Use of funds: Funds awarded to the project may not be used for general operating costs or for adjustments required by legal or regulatory changes. Funding must support concrete initiatives and projects that significantly enhance educational quality. Applications planning to spend more than 25% of the requested amount on equipment purchases will not be prioritised.
- Own contribution: Units must contribute an amount equivalent to 25% of the project’s total cost. This must be clearly reflected in the budget included with the application.
- Dissemniation of results: Project results must be disseminated after completion. This may be done, for example, by presenting at UiT’s annual Education Quality Conference (MOKTA). Participation in other local, national, or international arenas is also encouraged.
- Project duration: The project duration may not exceed two years unless there are special circumstances. Any such reasons must be specified in the application.
- Final report: A final report (maximum four pages) must be submitted to the Section for Learning Environment and Educational Quality no later than six months after the project concludes.
- Project accounts: A complete project account must be submitted upon project completion.
Safe and inclusive learning invornments and relationship-building in education
UiT places great emphasis on ensuring that students and staff have genuine opportunities to develop their abilities and potential, and that the organisation is characterised by participation, transparency, and sound processes. This aligns with the strategic priority Talent Development and Diversity, which expresses a clear ambition to be an attractive place of study that values and benefits from close connections between disciplines and people.
This thematic area targets initiatives that strengthen students’ well‑being, sense of belonging, and participation in their studies. It includes work related to the learning environment, relationship‑building between students and staff, and pedagogical and organisational practices that promote safety, diversity, and strong academic and social communities.
The thematic area allows for the development and testing of methods, structures, and frameworks that can help create more inclusive learning environments—whether in online, hybrid, or campus‑based study programmes.
Student-active learning methods
UiT’s strategic commitment to addressing major societal challenges highlights the need for educational approaches that develop students’ abilities in critical thinking, collaboration, exploration, and innovation. The strategy emphasises that UiT shall develop knowledge, methods, and tools that enable understanding and management of complex issues, while also strengthening interdisciplinarity, co‑creation, and generic skills among both students and staff.
This requires pedagogical models in which students are active participants in the learning process, are able to explore and challenge established practices, and take part in learning activities that are authentic, open‑ended, and connected to real‑world contexts.
The thematic area therefore includes the development and exploration of student‑active learning and assessment methods that promote engagement, exploration, collaboration, and independence. The aim is to enhance learning processes and learning outcomes through increased student participation—regardless of discipline, academic level, or mode of study.
Labour-market relevance and practice
UiT has a strategic focus on the Arctic and the northern regions, and a key objective is to develop practice‑oriented and labour‑market‑relevant education tailored to the region’s competence needs. The strategy highlights that UiT shall further develop its study programmes in line with the needs of industry and society in the North, and contribute to ensuring that students acquire the knowledge, competence, and skills required for the future.
Through strengthened cooperation with working life and increased access to practical training and authentic learning arenas, UiT aims to be an active knowledge partner and a preferred collaborator in the northern regions.
This thematic area therefore focuses on how study programmes can strengthen students’ understanding of—and competence for—their future professional and societal roles, while safeguarding the distinctiveness of each discipline.
The thematic area includes both:
- Disciplinary fields, where labour‑market relevance often involves highlighting transferable skills, academic applicability, and potential career paths.
- Professional fields, where links to working life are more direct and may involve further development of practice models, collaboration with relevant stakeholders, and strengthening of profession‑specific skills.
Regardless of discipline, the thematic area allows for approaches that connect academic depth with practices, collaborations, skills, and perspectives that make study programmes more relevant, applicable, and future‑oriented.
Relevance:
- To what extent does the project address the thematic priorities defined in the call for proposals?
- How relevant is the project to UiT’s and the faculty’s strategies for higher education?
- How relevant is the project to addressing the academic and pedagogical challenges faced within the discipline(s)?
Innovation and creativity
- How innovative is the project compared with existing practice?
- How creative or novel is the project in its use of technology and/or pedagogical approaches?
Quality and feasibility
- Does the application meet the specified criteria and requirements outlined in the call?
- How well is the project planned and structured to achieve the stated objectives?
- Are the project’s goals and expected results realistic?
- How realistic is the proposed timeline?
- How realistic is the project budget?
- How will the project owner evaluate and measure the project’s outcomes and impact?
- To what extent is student participation and involvement incorporated into the project?
Formalities
- Does the project comply with the minimum and maximum funding limits set out in the call?
- Does the application include the required approvals from the Head(s) of Department?
- Is the required own contribution—in the form of financial resources and/or work hours—adequately documented and described in the application?
- Is there a concrete and realistic plan for how project results and implementation will be communicated to relevant academic communities both internally and externally?
Feasibility
- Ensure that the project’s feasibility is clearly described, including realistic plans for development, implementation, and operation.
- Assess whether the resources proposed in the budget are sufficient to realise the project.
Budget and funding
- Present a detailed and realistic budget that clearly shows how the funds will be used.
- Specify whether necessary software, equipment or other resources have already been acquired, or whether these are included in the project costs.
- Describe how the project will be funded both during the start‑up phase and in any subsequent operational phase.
Long‑term sustainability
- Include a plan for how the project will be maintained and updated once the allocated funds have been used.
- Describe how future operation and maintenance will be financed, and what resources will be required.
Clarity of the application
- Ensure that all necessary details are clearly presented in the application. This includes project objectives, implementation plan, budget, and funding strategy.
- Avoid ambiguities that may create doubt about the project’s realism or feasibility.
Project development and specifications
- Several applications contained good ideas but appeared underdeveloped at the current stage.
- Applicants are encouraged to refine their applications and include clear and concrete milestones, activities, expected results, and objectives.
- A clear structure for the project’s development will strengthen the application and make it easier to assess the project’s potential.
Research project vs. educational development
- It is important to clarify whether the project is primarily a research project or a pedagogical development initiative.
- Applications focusing on educational development should demonstrate how the project will concretely contribute to improving teaching, the learning environment, or students’ learning outcomes.
- If the project includes a research component, it should be explained how this will support the pedagogical development work.
Read the call carefully
- It is essential that applicants read the call for proposals thoroughly and adhere to the stated guidelines.
- This applies particularly to items concerning funding for equipment and travel, which are explicitly discouraged in the call. Several applications budgeted too heavily for such expenses, which weakens the application’s relevance.
- Ensure that the application and budget comply with the call’s requirements and priorities.
Relevance and achievement of objectives
- Clearly link the project to the strategic goals of the faculty or institution.
- Describe how the project will contribute to achieving concrete results or creating value for the target group.
Programme for Educational Quality 2025 was announced in February with an application deadline of 16 April. A total of NOK 5 million was allocated to the programme, and each project could receive between NOK 200,000 and NOK 600,000. In total, 34 applications were submitted, and 11 projects were awarded funding.
The call featured four thematic priorities:
- Collaboration within the sector and between academic communities on study programmes and educational offerings
- Full digitalisation, scaling, and increased accessibility of course packages
- Learning design and learning environment
- Integration of Sámi and/or Kven cultural competence, or development of modules that integrate Sámi and/or Kven cultural competence
The following projects were awarded funding:
ValgFlex – Flexible Course Packages
The project aims to fully digitalise three course packages in computer science, making them available as online offerings. It will also explore the possibility of establishing a one year programme in computer science. Expected outcomes include digital versions of eight computer science courses, increased accessibility for students across campus and online studies, and improved quality and flexibility in computer science teaching.
André Henriksen, IVT
Visualising the Invisible: Animation and Interactivity as Tools for Therapeutic Learning
This project develops digital learning resources combining film, animation and interactivity to enhance health sciences students’ therapeutic competence and understanding of the patient perspective. Expected outcomes include completed interactive videos, increased student insight into patients’ internal experiences, and publication of project results in relevant journals.
Eva Therese Næss, Helsefak
Digitalising Art History Teaching: Flexible Learning Opportunities for Future Students
The project digitalises two art history courses to provide flexible learning opportunities for students regardless of location. Expected outcomes include fully digital versions of KVI 1018 and KVI 1019, increased student engagement through interactive learning pathways, and improved accessibility to the art history programme.
Hege Olaussen, HSL
Flexible and Accessible Supervisor Training for Schools and Kindergartens
This project develops a flexible, locally based supervisor training programme for teachers in schools and kindergartens. The offering will combine continuing and further education and be linked to fully digital extension modules. Expected outcomes include the establishment of local supervisor training from autumn 2026, development of digital extension modules, and strengthened collaboration between academic communities, administration and professional practice.
Inger Merethe Hansen, HSL
Innovative Supervision Teams (INVEI): A Pilot Project Using Generative Artificial Intelligence as Co Supervisor for Master’s Students in Nordic Literature
The project examines how generative AI can supplement traditional supervision for master’s students in Nordic literature. Through the development of innovative learning design, AI will function as a digital sparring partner. Expected outcomes include supervision protocols, experience reports, increased student engagement and independent learning. Results will be disseminated through reports and conferences.
Linda Hamrin Nesby, HSL
Developing a Module on Kven Food Culture as a Cultural Bridge to Strengthen Kven Cultural Competence
The project aims to develop a module on Kven food culture for teacher education and early childhood education programmes. Through practical teaching and digital resources, the module will promote knowledge of Kven culture, language and traditions. Expected outcomes include a digital module integrated into relevant study programmes from autumn 2026, increased cultural competence among students and staff, and publication of the module as a national educational resource.
Line Husjord, HSL
PULLMATE: Prompt Engineering for Self Reflective Use of Large Language Models as Intelligent Tutoring Systems in Project Organisation and Collaboration
This project explores the use of large language models (LLMs) as intelligent tutoring systems in project organisation and collaboration. The aim is to develop techniques for critical reflection and prompt engineering to support student learning. Expected outcomes include new teaching methods and learning materials, publication of scientific articles and learning resources, and increased student engagement and learning outcomes in project organisation.
Melania Borit, BFE
Online Chemistry
The project develops a fully digital 15 ECTS course package in chemistry for flexible education. The learning resources will also be used in regular courses. Expected outcomes include digital learning resources for three chemistry courses, increased accessibility for flexible education, and strengthened national collaboration on chemistry education.
Maarten Beerepoot, NT
Implementation of TeraVRi Virtual Learning Resources – Focusing on Organisation, Pedagogical Use of VR Equipment, and Integration in Academic Communities
The project aims to implement VR based learning resources from the TeraVRi project into health science programmes at UiT. The focus is on organisation, training, and anchoring within academic communities. Expected outcomes include adoption of TeraVRi resources in 5–10 study programmes, establishment of routines for VR equipment and learning labs, and increased digital competence among students and staff.
Rita Jentoft, Helsefak
MixMaster – Flexible Master’s Programme in Computer Science
This project seeks to establish a part time and flexible master’s programme in computer science at the Bodø campus. The programme combines digital teaching with in person sessions to accommodate students who are working. Expected outcomes include the establishment of a flexible master’s programme by 2026, increased student recruitment and completion rates, and improved learning environments and teaching methods.
Terje Fallmyr, IVT
The Brewing Process – Chemical Engineering in Practice for Narvik and Online
This project will offer the course AUT 2600 Brewing at the Narvik campus, focusing on chemical engineering and industrial aspects. The course will include practical laboratory assignments for both online and on campus students. Expected outcomes include establishing AUT 2600 as a permanent course in Narvik, increased student satisfaction, and further development of the course with online lectures and new equipment.
Tor Schive, IVT
Sist oppdatert: 02.03.2026Programme for Educational Quality 2024 was announced in February with a deadline of 14 April.
NOK 5 million was allocated to the scheme under UiT Talent, with each project eligible to receive between NOK 200,000 and NOK 600,000. The total amount applied for was approximately NOK 19 million, and 37 applications were submitted.
The 2024 call highlighted the following three thematic priorities:
- Development of education tailored to the needs of industry and society in the North
- Development of teaching and assessment methods for digital transformation
- Development of education with a focus on diversity, tolerance, and an inclusive learning environment
Trainee – a scheme for work‑life relevance in engineering education
The project aims to strengthen connections between UiT’s engineering students and the labour market by promoting and expanding engineering placements in businesses across Northern Norway, as well as further developing placement courses and support materials for students, supervisors, and companies. The goal is to increase students’ confidence in their educational choices by providing real work experience and greater insight into potential career paths. The project also includes plans to establish placements as an attractive offering throughout UiT’s regions. This initiative is expected to strengthen the network between students, the faculty, and industry.
Endre Grimsbø, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Department of Automation and Process Technology
MoDigE – Modular Digital Continuing Education Course
The project focuses on the development and implementation of a modular, fully digital and automated continuing education course in circuit analysis for the electrical engineering field, specifically tailored to companies and agencies in Northern Norway. It aims to utilise digital tools to create a pedagogically effective course centred on participants’ learning outcomes. The course includes lecture videos, assignments, digital assessments, and an equipment kit for home laboratories. Formative assessment will be used to give participants continuous feedback to support active learning and improvement. By the end of the project, an overview of the necessary processes for establishing and delivering future courses will be developed, which may also enhance the quality and relevance of courses offered to students at the Department of Electrical Engineering.
Annette Fossli Brustad, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Department of Electrical Engineering
Development of an Online One‑Year Programme: Transitioning from Campus‑Based to Hybrid and Online Delivery
The project focuses on developing and implementing a one‑year online programme in economics with data science, inspired by experiences from a similar programme in Alta in business administration. The aim is to offer an equivalent learning experience accessible both online and on campus, meeting students’ need for greater flexibility and increasing the efficiency of teaching resources. The project will draw on lessons from Campus Alta to avoid common pitfalls in the transition to online education. Emphasis is placed on developing learning resources that can be used across study formats and campuses, leading to better resource utilisation and higher teaching quality. The project is expected to increase student recruitment, promote student‑active learning on campus, and improve learning outcomes for all students.
Eirik Eriksen Heen, Faculty of Biosciences, Fisheries and Economics, School of Business and Economics
E‑learning in Philosophy of Science, Research Methods and Research Design for Master’s Programmes at IHO
The project focuses on developing thematic digital e‑learning resources for master’s programmes at the Department of Health and Care Sciences (IHO). These micro‑modules will be integrated into existing courses related to philosophy of science, methodology, and research design, and combined with seminars and flipped classroom approaches to increase pedagogical flexibility and collaboration across study programmes. The project involves identifying overlapping learning outcomes, developing and testing digital learning resources through a pilot phase, followed by evaluation and adjustments based on feedback. The aim is to strengthen digital pedagogical competence among academic staff, produce high‑quality e‑learning, and harmonise methodological teaching across master’s programmes. Expected outcomes include increased student‑active learning, more efficient teaching, and improved resource sharing and co‑creation across the involved programmes.
Lars Øie, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Health and Care Sciences
DigIMe – Digitalising Intensive Teaching in Programming‑Heavy Master’s Courses
The project aims to digitalise two master’s courses in virtual reality, graphics, and animation in the Master’s Programme in Applied Computer Science at Campus Narvik. This pilot project seeks to develop digital teaching formats that provide the same learning outcomes and assessment methods as the existing campus‑based courses. The motivation is to make the programme more flexible and accessible to a wider group of students, particularly in light of decreased application numbers following the introduction of tuition fees and the growing demand for online studies in computer science. By adapting teaching to digital platforms, the project also responds to the need for creative approaches to programming‑heavy subjects that traditionally rely on physical workshops. The project is expected to increase recruitment and make the master’s programme accessible to more students nationally and internationally.
Tanita Fossli Brustad, Faculty of Engineering Science and Technology, Department of Computer Science and Computational Engineering
Language Mentor – Oral Norwegian Language Support for Pharmacy Students with Norwegian as a Second Language
The project focuses on developing a language mentor scheme for students with short residence in Norway (N2‑students) at UiT, with an emphasis on improving their oral Norwegian skills through targeted language training. These students, often in health‑related fields, encounter both academic and social challenges due to limited Norwegian proficiency. The scheme will involve master’s students from the same discipline as mentors, using interactive exercises to strengthen N2‑students’ language skills in relevant academic and practical situations. The pilot will be tested in the pharmacy programme over 10 weeks, with the aim of increasing engagement and completion rates among N2‑students. The results are expected to be sustainable and transferable across other study programmes at UiT.
Janne Erikke Mjelle, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy
Learning to Learn: A Training Module for Student Mentors Supporting First‑Year Students’ Use of Effective Learning Strategies
This project aims to develop a training module for mentor coordinators to strengthen mentor support for first‑year students’ use of effective learning strategies. The module is based on successful pilot projects and will be designed and evaluated in collaboration with existing mentor programmes. The goal is to make the resources widely available after project completion. The primary target group is mentor coordinators, who will receive training that enables them to independently implement the module within their study programmes, with additional academic support from the First‑Year Experience Resource Team. The project also includes a partially funded position to provide the necessary training and follow‑up. Expected results include a functional training module in learning strategies and increased staff competence in learning support across UiT.
Rannveig Grøm Sæle, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Psychology
Medicinal Expertise Requires Digital Competence: Active Use of Digital Tools Throughout the Pharmacy Programme
The project focuses on strengthening digital competence and the use of data science in the pharmacy programme, inspired by collaboration through NordicPOP and best practices from, among others, the University of Copenhagen. The aim is to develop and integrate new teaching modules enabling pharmacy students to apply programming and digital tools to solve subject‑specific problems. These modules will be implemented in both bachelor’s and master’s programmes and will equip students with practical skills that meet modern demands for digital competence in an increasingly technology‑driven pharmaceutical sector. The project seeks funding to develop these modules and ensure a high‑quality and motivating learning experience. Expected outcomes include a significant strengthening of students’ ability to integrate and apply digital technology in their academic development and professional practice.
Kristian Svendsen, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Pharmacy
FlexIT: Flexible Informatics Courses
The project aims to digitalise and adapt existing courses to make them more accessible and scalable, accommodating a broader range of students, including those in continuing education. The work focuses on making teaching more flexible and accessible regardless of students’ geographical location or study schedule. The goal is to ensure relevance and high quality in teaching through digitally adapted learning materials and assessment forms that can be scaled for large student cohorts. This will be achieved through four work packages covering everything from digital material development to integrating courses into various study programmes. Ultimately, FlexIT will increase society’s access to ICT competences, particularly for students from diverse fields.
Anders Andersen, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Informatics
Avir – Adaptive Assessment in STEM Subjects
The project aims to develop and integrate adaptive assessment techniques in STEM subjects, particularly physics and chemistry. The goal is to increase teachers’ competence in adaptive assessment and to develop adaptive tests that personalise students’ learning experiences based on their individual needs and progression. The project also includes the development of two new continuing education courses in physics for teachers requiring upskilling. Through the use of adaptive assessment techniques and digital technology, the project seeks to improve educational quality and make learning resources more accessible and tailored for both current students and external participants. Expected outcomes include increased student engagement, improved learning effects, and wider adoption of adaptive learning methods in STEM education.
David Micheron, Faculty of Science and Technology, Department of Physics and Technology
Sist oppdatert: 02.03.2026Program for Educational Quality 2023 sparked significant interest within our academic communities. By the application deadline, 33 excellent and exciting applications had been received, demonstrating the substantial interest and commitment towards educational quality and the development of teaching practices at UiT. The total amount requested in the applications was just under NOK 15 000 000, while the available funds were limited to NOK 3 000 000. As a result, there was considerable competition for the funds. Out of the total 33 received applications, 7 projects were awarded funding. These projects are presented below.
Thematic direction 1: Integration of Sami and/or Kven cultural competence in study programs or the development of modules that incorporate Sami and/or Kven cultural competence.
1. "Psy-sam: Sami Cultural Competence in Psychology Education": The project aims to integrate Sami cultural competence and perspectives into mental health work and ensure that candidates have the necessary knowledge of Sami culture, history, and identity to effectively engage with Sami patients, users, or relatives as psychologists.
2. "Sami in Early Childhood Teacher Education": The project seeks to develop education in Northern Sami for students with a Sami language background and provide content on Sami language, culture, and multilingualism for other students.
3. "(Arctic)Encultured Knowledge": The project aims to create a teaching and research platform that utilizes the northern context and integrates Sami/Kven cultural competence into arts education.
Thematic Focus 2: Development of teaching and assessment methods for complex problem-solving (wicked problems).
4. "Students' Experiences with Testing Artificial Intelligence for Enhanced Learning": The project will explore how AI can contribute to improving and transforming the learning experience by developing prototypes and proposals for various AI-based tools and services to enhance learning effectiveness.
5. "AI-Based Tools in Education: Challenges, Possibilities, and Reflected Implementation (AI-EDU)": The project aims to develop an online training module for educators and two seminar modules focusing on the sustainable and ethical use of AI tools.
Thematic Focus 3: Integration of sustainability and/or internationalization in program and learning design.
6. "Internationalization in the Classroom – Sustainable, International Competence for First-Year Engineering Students": The project focuses on developing first-year engineering students' sustainable and international competence through active student methods, student projects, and collaboration with international students in the Norwegian study program.
7. "Teacher Education in New Cultural Contexts": The project is a collaborative effort between Norwegian and South African teacher education institutions, focusing on internationalization and cultural diversity. Its purpose is to create a documentary film for use in teaching, promoting reflection and knowledge about cultural encounters in the educational context.
Sist oppdatert: 02.03.2026Program UiT High Score dissemination
This initiative will build competence in communication among those who have been awarded the UiT High Score initiative in order to strengthen their ability to highlight professional qualities and results for other researchers and funding institutions nationally and internationally. In addition, they must receive training in how to write the communication section in applications for external funds, as well as convey the project when it has been granted.
The initiative will strengthen the research groups' opportunities to compete for external funding for research and innovation. The selected research groups will both participate in a competence program for communication and receive communication professional assistance to profile the group and to develop a strategic communication plan. There will be two annual calls for UiT High Score, one in April and one in October.
The announcements (with details of the exact application deadline and procedure) will be announced under UiT High Score, through Forskernytt (subscribe to the newsletter here), as well as through letters to all faculties/units.
The next application deadline is 28 October 2024.
Sist oppdatert: 27.09.2024Program national voices
In order to make UiT visible, strengthen a selection of our outstanding researchers and contribute to a knowledge-driven social debate, UiT will provide special training and support to a strategically selected group of researchers. The ambition is for participants in the program to become national voices in their fields, help set the political agenda and position themselves against external funding. During the program period, those selected will receive communication-related training and assistance, with the aim of getting a foothold in the national media and influence in the public debate (chronicles, interviews, presentations, social media, etc.).
The measure will contribute to the participants in the program becoming national voices in their fields. Researchers who are national voices in their fields will increase the visibility of UiT in national channels. Increased visibility will also be able to position the researchers in the work with increased external funding of research. During the program period, those selected will receive communication-related training and assistance when they need it.
The application deadline is 15 November 2024.
Sist oppdatert: 27.09.2024A total of NOK 650,000 has been set aside in 2025 for this measure. The sum will cover speakers, joint gatherings, travel and courses. Further description to come.
Sist oppdatert: 27.09.2024- Applicants must have a permanent position at UiT as associate professor/first lecturer or professor/docent.
- Applicants must represent a strategically important topic or subject at UiT, be motivated for the task and have the potential to reach out nationally or internationally.
- Researchers must be able to write and speak fluent Norwegian and English.
- Ten researchers at UiT will be selected each year.
Application form coming.
Sist oppdatert: 27.09.2024- The program is announced once a year.
- The first application deadline is 15 November 2024.
- The participants will be selected by 1 December 2024.
- The first collection is mid-December 2024.
UiT The Arctic University of Norway's strategy, Eallju – Developing the High North, provides direction for our academic activities within education, research, and innovation. The Action Plan for Innovation and Entrepreneurship concretizes the strategy, and will facilitate priorities and activities that contribute to UiT fulfilling its social mission. It is an objective that all publicly funded research shall benefit society through dissemination, dissemination of results and implementation of new knowledge. The instruments under UiT Talent innovation are part of the action plan for innovation and entrepreneurship, and from 2023 include innovation grants for master's and PhD students, UiT's innovation fund for employees and the announcement of 2-year innovation positions.
| UiT Talent Innovation- instruments | Deadline 2025 | Planned deadline 2026 | Who can apply? | Does it require a DOFI? |
| Start-up grant | January 24th | Students at UiT | No | |
| Innovation grant for masterstudents | March 31st | Masterstudents at UiT | No | |
| Innovation grant for PhD students | May 6th | March 31st | Active PhD-students at start of the grant | No |
| Pilot projects | Running | Running | Scientific employees at UiT | No |
| Main projects | May 13th | April 30th | Scientific employees at UiT with PhD-degree | Yes |
| Supplementary funding | November 13th | November 12th | Scientific employees at UiT | No (but type of project supported implies this) |
| Innovation positions | December 12th | December 11th | Scientific employees at UiT with PhD-degree | Yes |
Innovation grant for PhD students
Much of the research that is carried out in connection with PhD work has an innovation potential that can be followed up by providing additional resources. UiT's innovation grants will give the candidate time and opportunity to develop the idea further into a potential innovation. The innovation grant will be important for increasing UiT's innovation and entrepreneurship activity, as well as educating candidates who contribute to innovation and entrepreneurship. The scheme can also be used to strengthen R&D cooperation with private business and the public sector. The innovation grant should not be seen as an extension of PhD work, but something that comes in addition to this. The research group is responsible for following up the candidate during the project period. One grant is awarded per year.
The application deadline is March 31st 2026. If you have any questions, these can be addressed to Inger Lin U. Ræder, Senior Adviser Research and Innovation, SeFI.
Call 2026
For 2026, funding totaling NOK 500 000 will be allocated to one grant of up to NOK 500,000 in total (up to 6 months' salary) from central level associated with follow-up of innovation and commercialization work. The faculty/department contributes with coverage of all other costs, including laboratories/office space to the candidate.
The scholarship
- The grant from the strategic fund of up to NOK 500 000 in total will be used to finance up to 6 months' salary for PhD candidates who have an idea they wish to further develop into a potential innovation. The idea may be developed by the candidate alone or in collaboration with the academic environment, and may build on existing research, projects or previously submitted DOFI at UiT, provided that the candidate has a central and active role in the further development of the innovation during the grant period.
- The application type is open for funding of various types of innovation (product innovation, process innovation, service innovation, social innovation). This must be ticked in the application template. For product innovations (and possibly process innovations), the application type is open to early-phase projects (Proof-of-concept) both before and after submission of DOFI (Disclosure of invention). There is, however, an expectation that a DOFI can be submitted during the grant period for this type of innovation if this has not already been done.
- It is assumed that the faculty/department contributes by covering all other costs and provide laboratories and office space for the candidate.
- It is assumed that the research group contributes with own time to assist the candidate during the project period.
- The current rules for IPR are the same as for academic staff at UiT.
- The application template must be used, and the application must be submitted via Nettskjema.
- The projects must start during 2026.
Criteria
- The candidate must be affiliated with a department at UiT, and must be an active PhD candidate at the start of the scholarship.
- The idea must be based on research conducted at UiT and must have innovation potential. The idea may be developed by the candidate alone or in collaboration with others, and may build on existing research or inventions at UiT. It is an advantage if the need/market for the innovation has been identified.
- The probability of realising the innovation must be high. Being part of a research group that can demonstrate good results in innovation or can document close and good cooperation with business/public enterprises will be positive.
- The grant is intended to contribute to the realisation of the innovation and give the candidate the opportunity to develop, concretise or develop the idea further. It is assumed that the candidate has a clear ownership of the innovation process and is one of the main drivers during the project period.
- Necessary own contribution must be available from the department and/or faculty. Any additional contributions from the faculty/institute that contribute to an extension of the scholarship period beyond 6 months must be specified and will count positively in the assessment.
- The application itself must contain a description of the idea, an explanation of why the idea and the applicant should receive an innovation grant, a description of the academic environment and available support from the department/faculty, and which relevant sources of funding it intends to apply for after the grant period has expired. The application must also clearly describe the candidate’s role, responsibilities and planned innovation activities during the grant period.
- The application must be approved by the head of department.
Application template and attachments
The application must contain information about the applicant, supervisor and any others involved. Furthermore, it must contain a description of the idea with a tick for the type of innovation, a justification as to why the idea and the applicant should receive an innovation grant, specification of the academic environment and a description of available support from the department/faculty. The application template must be used and can be found here.
The application must also contain the candidate's CV, a budget, and a confirmation of contribution from the faculty/institute. If a DOFI has been submitted, confirmation of this must also be attached.
The application is submitted via Nettskjema. Only applications submitted via Nettskjema will be approved. Application deadline March 31st 2026. Clarification is expected in May 2026.
Application processing
The applications are assessed by a committee and a decition is made by the rectorate. Allocated funding is transferred when the institute has accepted the grant and a project agreement has been made. SeFI is secretariat for the application process. A final report with a description of the results must be delivered to SeFI within 2 months after the end of the project.
Sist oppdatert: 02.02.2026Innovation fund for employees
An innovation fund was established at UiT in 2023 with the purpose of increasing the number of innovations among employees. The fund provides support for innovation ideas at UiT. You can apply for support within three different categories (pilot projects, main projects, and supplementary funding). The instrument is application-based. The pilot projects have an open deadline, the main projects have deadline April 30th 2026, while the supplementary funding will have deadline November 12th 2026.
The application must be delivered via Nettskjema. Application templates must be used.
Contact persons:
Inger Lin U. Ræder, senior adviser research and innovation, SeFI
Elisabeth Blix Bakkelund, senior adviser research and innovation, SeFI
Application templates
The template for main projects is based on the template from The Research Council of Norway for verification projects. The template for pilot projects is a simplified version of this. Applications for supplementary funding must attach the external application and evaluation report.
Sist oppdatert: 29.01.2026Pilot projects will support various types of innovation and are intended to capture innovative ideas from research groups. The projects will support early phase idea development so that you can check whether the idea is viable (for example Proof-of-concept before DOFI and for mapping of service needs). The projects will have a maximum duration of 6 months and you can apply for support of up to NOK 100 000. The type of innovation must be specified in the application form (product innovation, process innovation, service innovation, social innovation, other). The application must be approved by the faculty/department. It is expected that the pilot projects should result in the submission of DOFI,or clarification of the societal impact.
Total funding: 1 000 000 NOK
Deadline: Open, within the funding frame.
Application requirements:
- The applicant must be academic staff at UiT (might be in team with students).
- The project must be pre-start-up and cannot be directly linked to an existing company.
- Projects must be anchored institutionally, a faculty/department at UiT must support the project and approve the application.
- The projects must start during 2025.
Assessment criteria (se template for more details):
Excellence
- Research results.
- Degree of innovation.
Impact
- Value proposition and benefit to society.
- Strategy for realisation.
Implementation
- Project plan.
- Management, team, and expertise.
Funding can be allocated to:
- Personnel costs for necessary activities for concept development
- Consulting services, external R&D services
- Materials
- Travel costs
Costs that do not fit to the above categories must be specified in the application, for approvement.
What is NOT funded:
Basic research, development costs for companies, development and marketing of existing products and services, communication activities.
Administrative procedures:
Processed continuously within the total framework. Allocation quarterly.. Application assessment is done administratively, if necessary, in consultation with the professional environment at UiT and TTO. Final decision by level 1/rectorate.
Reporting:
The project leader is responsible for implementation and final reporting after the project has been finished.
Sist oppdatert: 02.01.2026Main projects can have a maximum time frame of 18 months, and you can apply for support of up to NOK 375 000. The award may also trigger additional funding for support from Norinnova AS. The need must be discussed with Norinnova and described in the online form (nettskjema). This application type is primarily aimed at commercialization projects and requires a submitted DOFI and approval from the faculty/department. The same project can only receive support for the main project once.
Deadline: April 30th 2026. The application must be delivered via Nettskjema.
Application requirements:
- The applicant must be academic staff at UiT and hold a ph.d. (might be in team with students).
- Projects must be based on a DOFI submitted to UiT where UiT has claimed rights, the conformation letter(s) of submitted DOFI must be attached.
- The project must be pre-start-up and cannot be linked to an existing company.
- Projects must be anchored institutionally, a faculty/department at UiT must support the project and approve the application.
- The projects must start during 2026.
Assessment criteria:
The assesment criteria are the same as the assessment criteria used by The Research Council of Norway for verification projects.
You can apply for funding for:
- Personnel costs for necessary activities for idea development
- Consulting services, external R&D services
- Materials
- Travel costs
All costs that do not fit under the above categories must be specified in the application and approved.
What is NOT funded: Fundamental research, development costs for companies, development and marketing of existing products and services, communication activities.
Administrative procedures: The applications will be pre-ranked by representatives from UiT and Norinnova. «Strategisk utvalg for innovasjon» (SUI) will thereafter give advice on the ranking of proposals. Decision is taken by level 1/rectorate.
Reporting: The project leader is responsible for professional deliveries and for final reporting after the project has finished. The report must include how the funds have been used and a summary of the status of milestones.
Sist oppdatert: 29.01.2026UiT wants to facilitate increased innovation activity by contributing supplementary funding to externally funded innovation projects. The funding shall be used for additional activities that support or build on the externally funded project, and not for partial funding of the externally funded project.
Total funding: Total funds within this category will be a minimum of NOK 1 million per year. The amount may be higher, depending on the number of funded projects within the other categories. The amount of support will be assessed based on the size of the externally funded project, the need for supplementary support, and the available total funding.
Deadline: 12.11.2026 at 13:00 (CET). The application must be delivered via Nettskjema.
Application requirements:
- Ongoing UiT-leaded/coordinated projects that have been granted qualification- or verification projects from The Research Council of Norway or innovation grants from Horizon Europe (ERC PoC, EIC Pathfinder, EIC Transition and EIT KIC Actions) is eligible to apply.
- The project leader must be academic staff at UiT, and the support must be allocated to the project at UiT.
Assessment criteria: based on the external evaluation and the need for supplementary funding.
Administrative procedures: Relevant projects that have been granted external funding must apply for this supplementary funding by the deadline. SeFI processes the applications, and decision is taken by level 1/rectorate.
What is funded: The funding must be used for independent additional activities that support or build on the externally funded project and will not support activities that are already covered.
What is NOT funded: the support cannot be used as in-kind in the external application.
Applications for supplementary funding must attach the external application and evaluation report.
Sist oppdatert: 29.01.2026Innovation positions
In 2019, UiT introduced an instrument with the allocation of 2-year innovation positions to further develop ideas that have great innovative potential. This instrument is continued under UiT Talent. The call for 2025 will open the 31st of October with deadline 11.12.2026 13.00 CET. The call an be found here.
Sist oppdatert: 21.11.2025Innovation laboratories
An innovation laboratory will open in 2025 as a collaboration between The Faculty of Health Sciences and The Faculty for Science and Technology.
Sist oppdatert: 31.10.2024Start-up grant
Deadline 2026: 24th of March.This instrument has students as the target group. The purpose of the funding is to help advance ideas, and applicants must show concrete measures/activities they wish to carry out. These will often be related to idea development, prototyping, research and testing of marked needs, etc. The funding cannot go to wages.
Guidelines and application form exits, but unfortunatly only in norwegian. Guidelines in norwegian.
Please do contact me; mette.r.midtgard@uit.no and I will help you through the process.
Sist oppdatert: 03.03.2026The UiT Talent Infrastructure initiative comprises two/three categories: Scientific Equipment Categories I and II, as well as E-Infrastructure (Pilot 2025). Category I is a continuation of the Strategic Fund Infrastructure scheme, with some adjustments. Category II has been developed in connection with the establishment of UiT Talent. The E-Infrastructure category is being tested as a pilot.
Category II is designed for research infrastructures with a total cost framework of NOK 15–35 million, requiring long-term financial planning. Allocated funds are placed in a dedicated fund to gradually enable co-financing with external funds and other internal resources. The scheme provides flexibility for planning larger investments in combination with other funding sources.
The initiative supports externally funded research projects while also forming the basis for project proposals to competitive research funding arenas.
UiT Talent Infrastructure is based on a call for proposals, inviting the development of projects that are ranked and prioritised in accordance with UiT's roadmap for research infrastructure (under development) and UiT's policy for research infrastructure. Project proposals are developed in line with the criteria used for proposals to the national programme for research infrastructure.
Calls for proposals are announced via the Newsletter (requires subscription) and on the UiT Talent homepage.
Contact person: Steinar.paulsen@uit.no
Call for proposals: UiT Talent infrastruktur
Call for proposals: UiT Talent – Research infrastructure Category I
Application Deadline: 01.10. 2025 at 13:00 (CEST)
Scope: Research Infrastructure Categories I, II, and E-Infrastructure (Pilot)
UiT Talent Infrastructure is an internal funding mechanism for strategically anchored research infrastructure. The scheme involves 50:50 co-funding, where UiT Talent matches the amount prioritized by the units for the initiatives. For 2025, applications can be submitted within tree main categories (I and II), as well as E-Infrastructure. In general, the call (all categories) will follow the same principles and requirements as the Research Council of Norway's INFRA 2025, with UiT governing documents, namely i) the roadmap for research infrastructure (under development) and ii) UiT's policy for research infrastructure, serving as the foundation.
UiT Talent Research Infrastructure aims to support externally funded research projects while also forming the basis for new project proposals to competitive research funding arenas. Proposals are ranked and prioritized by the Research Strategy Committee (FSU), which advises the Rector on funding decisions. The secretariat of the FSU handles the administrative process. If necessary, FSU may engage a dedicated internal (UiT) group to assist in the selection process.
Category I: Scientific Equipment
Total cost (investment): Over NOK 1.5 million. Total budget: NOK 44 million (NOK 22 million from UiT Talent + NOK 22 million from faculty/unit).
Category II: Major Research Infrastructures
Total cost (investment): NOK 15–35 million. Total budget: NOK 32.6 million (NOK 16.3 million from UiT Talent + NOK 16.3 million from faculty/unit). Fund mechanism: Allocated funds can be placed in a dedicated fund for co-financing with external or internal funds over time. The scheme is designed to create financial flexibility for planning larger infrastructure investments. Maturity requirements of infrastructure: Technology must have a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) ≥ 6.
Category E-Infrastructure (Pilot 2025)
No fixed budget/cost: Funds are prioritised from Categories I/II. Definition: Digital resources and services for research, including HPC, storage systems, databases, network resources, and tools for analysis and visualisation. Maturity requirements: Technology must reach TRL ≥ 6 within two years.
APPLICATION
Only applications submitted via the Online Form (Nettskjema) will be accepted. Applications A template must be used. CVs and letters of support should not be submitted.
The template for the project description and evaluation criteria is based on the Research Council of Norway's national initiative for research infrastructure. The application (max 30 MB) must be uploaded to Nettskjema.
Contact: Steinar.paulsen@uit.no, SEFI.
The call will be announced via newsletters (requires subscription) and on the website www.uit.no/talent, as well as other internal media.
Eligibility
The applicant (PI) must hold a permanent academic position at UiT. The application must be anchored with the faculty leadership, meaning the faculty must prioritize and support the investment and be responsible for the application.
What can be funded?
Funds from UiT Talent Infrastructure must be used for investments or upgrades of research infrastructures in accordance with UiT's roadmap for research infrastructure. The roadmap is under development and will be published past 1. October. Therefore, it is crucial that proposals are cleared with the academic leadership of the faculty/unit for evaluation.
As a pilot, proposals in the E-Infrastructure category are accepted (see below).
Research infrastructure in this context refers to scientific equipment and large equipment facilities, data infrastructure for FAIR data, as well as scientific databases and collections. For more detailed information, see FSU cases 10-25 and 11-25.
Allocations for investments have no upper limit under the Ministry's new procedures and will not create a reservation issue for UiT. A fund will be established where allocated funds (Category II) can be denoted for the infrastructure prioritized for funding. Allocated funds will be redistributed after three (3) years if investments have not been made by then. The faculty shall allocate equivalent amounts for the same year.
The operating costs of an infrastructure must, in principle, be covered by the projects utilizing the infrastructure. Therefore, the operation of the infrastructure must be planned within a business model where projects using the infrastructure contribute to financing operating costs. The business model must include a plan for how the infrastructure's capacity can be utilized by making the technology available to users both within and outside UiT. The project must be developed in accordance with UiT's policy for research infrastructure, a governing document that ensures ownership of research infrastructures is within frameworks that enable appropriate and responsible operation.
E-Infrastructure (Pilot 2025)
UiT Talent Infrastructure is primarily designed for investments in new or upgrading existing research infrastructures, where the funds are used for technology acquisition and where operating costs are covered by the projects utilizing the infrastructure. Allocated funds cannot normally be used for housing or operating an infrastructure, nor for building renovations or investments in technical equipment for facilities.
E-Infrastructure can be critical for enabling collaboration across physical boundaries and disciplines and may be necessary to conduct and enrich studies with data. The Research Council of Norway defines e-infrastructure as digital resources and services for research and innovation, including HPC, storage systems and databases, network resources for data transfer, and tools supporting processes, analysis, simulation, and visualization.
Occasionally, applications are submitted to UiT Talent for funding to establish e-infrastructures that are not fully developed and are therefore at a lower Technology Readiness Level (TRL) than other infrastructures for which funding is sought. Such projects have not been funded so far, as they have been at a low TRL level (<6), making them project proposals for infrastructure development. It is challenging making investments in immature technologies within the same funding mechanism as for mature technologies, as this involves comparing very different types of projects.
For projects involving self-developed technology and complex solutions, both the EU and the Research Council of Norway expect documentation that no available solutions exist in the market and that there are otherwise strong reasons for self-development. A focus on developing and establishing e-infrastructures must be assessed against national priorities and investments in research infrastructure, where UiT participates as a user/partner. Similarly, membership and ambitions for the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC) should be considered as an arena e-infrastructure. A development pathway for an e-infrastructure from a low TRL level must have priority within the international research community, with a broad range of user and funding partners.
Both the Research Council of Norway and the EU use TRL levels to assess maturity, with a scale from 1 to 9, where the most mature technology has a TRL level of 9. Different EU calls target different maturity levels – some expect project proposals for technologies with low TRL levels, while others require higher levels. For the Research Council of Norway's INFRA 2025, the method/technology underlying the proposal must have been demonstrated to function in a relevant environment (Technology Readiness Level 6 according to the EU definition).
For an e-infrastructure proposal to be prioritized and ranked under UiT Talent Infrastructure, it must be demonstrated that a solution at a TRL level higher than six will be in place within a two-year period. For all technologies included in a research infrastructure with a TRL level equal to or higher than six, funding can be sought for operational costs or housing expenses for a limited period.
Evaluation of Project Proposals
Proposals are expected to be developed in accordance with the evaluation criteria used by the Research Council of Norway for project proposals under the INFRA 2025 call. For the internal prioritization and ranking conducted by the FSU, UiT's policy for research infrastructure (link forthcoming) will form the basis for evaluating otherwise qualified project proposals.
Project proposals will be assessed considering the purpose of the call and based on the following criteria:
Research and Innovation
Impact and Effects
Implementation
National Importance
Collaboration and Division of Labour
Societal Benefits
Execution and Organization
For a more detailed description, refer to the Research Council of Norway's INFRA 2025 programme and UiT's policy for research infrastructure.
Sist oppdatert: 22.09.2025abrakadabra
Sist oppdatert: 15.08.2025