From 26 to 28 August 2025, a delegation from the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) carried out a working visit to the Research Council of Norway (RCN) to gain insights into its operations, exchange best practices, and align on a shared vision for future cooperation. The visit marked a key milestone in reinforcing the strategic partnership between the two organizations.

The programme of the visit included a detailed study of the organisation of competitive procedures in Norway, particularly the administrative and legal aspects of their implementation, as well as modern IT solutions for grant programmes management. Special attention was given to approaches to research funding, to ensuring transparency and efficiency of competitive mechanisms, as well as to the strategic priorities for the development of research defined by the RCN.

During the three-day visit, the NRFU delegation held a series of working meetings with representatives of various structural units, the management and advisers of the RCN, as well as with representatives of the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research, leading research institutions and research centres which provided an opportunity to gain insights into the practical experience of implementing research and innovation projects.

These discussions enabled the Ukrainian delegation to gain valuable knowledge about the functioning of the Norwegian system of research support while also presenting its own experience. They laid the foundation for deepening the partnership through the exchange of best practices and the alignment of joint approaches to research funding.

Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding

A key highlight of the visit was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Research Foundation of Ukraine (NRFU) and the Research Council of Norway (RCN). This document formalizes the shared intentions of the two institutions to develop a long-term partnership and establishes a framework for systemic cooperation between the research communities of both countries.

Olga Polotska, Executive Director of the NRFU, and Mari Sundli Tveit, Executive Director of the Research Council of Norway

The Memorandum provides for the creation of favourable conditions to deepen research cooperation, support equal partnership between Ukrainian and Norwegian researchers, and promote the exchange of experience and best practices in the field of research and innovation funding. Particular emphasis was placed on the development of joint research initiatives and the creation of opportunities for the active integration of Ukrainian researchers into international projects. The signing of this document opens new perspectives for enhancing international partnership and lays the groundwork for the organisation of joint calls.

As part of the visit, an Annex to the Memorandum was also signed, which regulates the participation of the NRFU in the review of applications submitted to the ‘Recruit a Researcher from Ukraine for an Ongoing Researcher Project’ initiative. This mechanism serves as an additional tool for integrating Ukrainian researchers into the European Research Area (ERA).

The ‘Recruit a Researcher from Ukraine for an Ongoing Researcher Project’ Initiative

One of the key topics of discussion during the visit was the ‘Recruit a Researcher from Ukraine for an Ongoing Researcher Project’ initiative. The scheme creates opportunities for Ukrainian researchers to join ongoing research projects in Norway, expand their competencies, and integrate into international research groups. The ‘Recruit a Researcher from Ukraine for an Ongoing Researcher Project’ initiative covers all thematic areas and aims to:

• maintain and develop Ukrainian research during the war;
• involve Ukrainian researchers in ongoing projects of Norwegian researchers;
• increase international network between the research communities of both countries.

The initiative has been developed in close coordination with the National Research Foundation of Ukraine considering the current needs of the Ukrainian research community and focusing on practical support for researchers who continue their work despite the war. During the working meetings, the parties finalised key procedural details, discussed the mechanisms for the participation of Ukrainian researchers, and agreed on the procedures for interaction between the NRFU and the RCN in the framework of the implementation of the initiative.

Development of the Joint RCN–NRFU Call

One of the key topics of the working visit was the discussion of a joint RCN-NRFU call fpr proposals which will become a crucial step in advancing bilateral research cooperation. Under this call, the Norwegian side has allocated NOK 30 million which will provide funding for Ukrainian researchers and open new opportunities for the implementation of joint research projects.

As part of the preparation for the call, a high-level meeting was held with the participation of the RCN department directly responsible for the thematic area of the upcoming call, representatives of the Scientific Council and Supervisory Board, and the Directorate of the NRFU. During the meeting, the parties discussed the main priorities and areas of the call, organisational aspects, key principles for the selection of applications, as well as mechanisms for supporting participants and coordinating interaction between the institutions.

The implementation of the call will contribute to deepening the strategic partnership between Ukraine and Norway and open new perspectives for supporting Ukrainian researchers and fostering international cooperation.

Findings and Future Perspectives

The working visit to Norway was an important milestone in building a strategic partnership between the NRFU and the RCN. The meetings, discussions, and joint activities not only confirmed the mutual interest of both parties in further cooperation but also laid a solid foundation for its development at the institutional, programmatic, and expert levels.

The exchange of experience with the RCN in areas such as competitive selection, project administration, legal and financial support, and international cooperation has become a valuable resource for the institutional development of the NRFU. The knowledge gained and ideas developed during the visit will serve as a basis for improving grant management practices in Ukraine, enhancing transparency and increasing the efficiency of their implementation.

Particular attention during the visit was given to the development of the joint RCN-NRFU call, which will open new opportunities for Ukrainian researchers, contribute to the implementation of joint research projects, and strengthen international research cooperation, as well as to the discussion of the terms and conditions of the ‘Recruit a Researcher from Ukraine for an Ongoing Researcher Project’ initiative. Both of these initiatives not only deepen the institutional partnership but also demonstrate the practical readiness of the RCN and the NRFU to jointly create conditions for the development of research despite global challenges. Their implementation is of key importance for the further expansion of bilateral cooperation and the integration of Ukraine into the ERA.

The National Research Foundation of Ukraine expresses sincere gratitude to the counterparts from the Research Council of Norway for their warm welcome, comprehensive programme, productive meetings, and financial support of the visit. The high level of trust, mutual respect, and partnership solidarity demonstrated during the visit creates a strong basis for long-term and effective cooperation in support of the sustainable development of research in both countries.