Dear Colleagues,
The landscape of research and innovation presents numerous opportunities and challenges. Our focus is on strengthening the foundation for research funding at the faculty, enhancing new technologies through core facilities, and promoting a culture of innovation that transcends traditional boundaries. Here is an insight into some of the strategic measures and initiatives shaping our path forward in 2025.
Our External Funding Office (EEF) is actively supporting faculty researchers across many areas. Weekly updates on upcoming calls are continuously announced through "Funding Opportunities" emails to all faculty staff. A summary of this spring’s calls from the EU has just been posted on our internal website.
We are also continuing to map opportunities for access to new sources of funding. Through Oslo Science City, we hold regular meetings with representatives from the pharmaceutical industry. These and other actors are vital contact points in this long-term endeavour. The new Industry PhD call from the Research Council of Norway (NFR) could also serve as an entry point (page in Norwegian).
New Initiatives for Innovation
The faculty has taken the initiative to incorporate innovation perspectives into several proposals, even when the calls are not directly aimed at innovation activities. The background for this is that innovation is relevant to much of our research and involves far more than patents and commercialisation.
We aim to connect guidance from our research advisers at the faculty and departments with the innovation expertise from UiO Growth House. The goal is for more researchers to gain experience in embedding an innovation potential into their research projects. This work has just begun and will be operationalised throughout 2025.
We have also taken the initiative to further strengthen the interaction between UiO Growth House and the departments. We are doing this by initiating a workshop series where each department meets UiO Growth House. The purpose is to identify "what kind" of innovation is relevant for each department, how innovation activities can be strengthened, and what the particular needs of the departments are. Helsam will be the first.
SFF VI and K.G. Jebsen Processes Have Started
At the end of 2024, the faculty received over 20 proposals for SFF applications in response to the anticipated SFF VI call. We have now reached the first round of feedback to the applicants.
An internal panel of researchers experienced in previous SFFs or other large projects will provide feedback on presentations from each applicant initiative during March. The next steps in the process are outlined here.
Simultaneously, we have prepared the prequalification for applications to the Kristian Gerhard Jebsen Foundation for new centres for medical research. The application deadline is 27 February, and an international evaluation panel is ready to nominate applicants (page in Norwegian) who may submit final proposals to the foundation.
FRIPRO: Light at the End of the Tunnel?
As participants in the governance of UiO:Life Science, we helped establish a new incentive scheme for those planning to apply to FRIPRO. The scheme was immediately popular, and numerous groups took advantage of the offer. We are eagerly watching how the FRIPRO landscape will develop and wish all applicants the best of luck.
Core Facilities in the Life Sciences Building
Participants from Klinmed, IMB and NCMM are part of a broad collaboration to establish more than 10 new core facilities and technology platforms within the Life Sciences Building.
In the past six months, we have conducted a thorough assessment of the allocated spaces, the collaboration partners involved, the leading figures, and how practical and operational challenges will be resolved. With these preparations, we are ready to achieve as much clarity as possible in roles and responsibilities and clarify the operational models for these critical new platforms. Commencement in the new building will begin in autumn 2026.