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Internal funds

KD positions

The MN Faculty has a large number of fixed-term positions available (PhD and postdoctoral fellows) from the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research (Kunnskapsdepartementet) (KD positions). The KD positions are the MN Faculty's largest and most important strategic resource. They are used to strengthen the MN Faculty's position as an international research faculty.

Main principles for awarding KD positions

The KD positions will be used in accordance with UiO's and MN's adopted overall strategies. MN's total portfolio of KD positions (max. 20% postdoctoral fellows at each Department) will, to a limited extent, be tied to applications for external funding.

The positions can support:

  • Excellent research
  • EU challenges
  • Gender balance (more women in leading positions)

NB! In the case of individual assessment, the Faculty approval will be based on the recommendation of the Head of Department.

Horizon Europe incentives

  1. ERC winners: one KD position can, in special cases, be given to ERC winners as own contribution (more information here).
  2. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships (European Fellowship): one year of a KD position will be offered to successfully granted MSCA fellows of the European Postdoctoral Fellowship (more information here).
  3. MSCA Doctoral Networks: one KD position will be offered to an MN researcher who is successful in applying as the coordinator (project leader) of an MSCA Doctoral Network (read the guidelines below).
  4. Collaborative projects: one KD position will be offered to an MN researcher who is successful in applying as the coordinator (project leader) of a collaborative project (read the guidelines below).

Guidelines for receiving a KD position (MSCA Doctoral Networks and Collaborative projects)

This incentive has been updated in January 2025. This change of policy is not applied retroactively.

The main purpose of this incentive is to promote the project leader's scientific career, and to compensate for the negative impacts the application process may have on the recipient's scientific progress and production.

Contact the EU Team when you know you are going to apply.

  1. The project must have been awarded, and the project contract must have been signed.
  2. The PhD candidate's project must be a part of the coordinated project.
  3. The project leader (coordinator) receives the KD position. It is a prerequisite for the incentive that the coordinator has research activity at MN for the whole duration of KD position.
  4. If the project leader does not have a permanent position at UiO, the PhD project must have an explicit connection to the PL's research group, and it is recommended that three supervisors are appointed. Furthermore, the department must have approved that the (EU) project is applied for with someone in a temporary position as its coordinator, and the recipient must have a work contract extending beyond the PhD period.
  5. The project leader can receive only one KD position through this incentive during Horizon Europe.
  6. The project leader can at all times have only one KD position from this incentive.
  7. The KD position is awarded through the Faculty's annual process.

Own contribution in applications to the Research Council of Norway

KD positions are used as own contribution in applications in the following cases:

  1. SFF/SFI/FME centres: the number of positions will depend on MN's budget and will be assessed for each call. The rule of thumb is one KD position per 20 mNOK in fresh funds for MN from the Research Council of Norway.
  2. Nordic SFF and large, nationally coordinated projects: one KD position (only if MN is the host and has a female leader (chief responsible)).
  3. Joint effort in the FRIPRO call.

The start time of the position(s) must be agreed with the Department and the Faculty.

 

Project Establishment Support (MN PES funding)

The MN Faculty has funds to support work towards applying for EU funding (MN PES funding). These funds are a supplement to the central PES funding. The researchers must first apply for the central PES funding.

MN PES funding is primarily directed towards multi-partner projects (e.g. EU's collaborative projects, MSCA Doctoral Networks, ERC Synergy Grants). It is emphasized that these funds are awarded in special cases only, where the additional funding is viewed as decisive for a proposal’s quality and finalization.

Examples of activities that are supported

  1. Consulting services or similar when developing a specific multi-partner EU proposal where MN is the coordinator (beyond what is provided in central PES funding).
  2. Travel to or host meetings to discuss a project proposal or upcoming call/topic with one or more partners or participate in EU information meetings (such as brokerage events).

Guidelines for applying for MN PES funding

Send the application by e-mail to Ingse Noremsaune at the MN Faculty with the following information:

  1. Name of the call
  2. Budget
  3. Recommendation from the Head of Department

 

Research excellence funds - Collaborative projects

The coordinator (project leader) of a collaborative project can receive operational support funds for administrative tasks in connection with the implementation of the project. The funds come from UiO centrally and will be used to strengthen the Departments' administrative capacity during the operational phase of the project.

The amount depends on the total budget of the project:

Million EUR NOK per year during the project period
< 3  400,000
3-6 600,000
> 6 800,000

Guidelines

  • Up to 50 % of the funds may, if needed, be allocated to the applying department/research group.
  • The MN Faculty’s EU Team will initiate a discussion with the coordinator and the Head of Department about needs and practicalities.
  • The EU Team prepares an application to be approved by the Dean's office.
  • The allocation of funds may, if needed, be tentatively approved before the application is submitted.

 

Travel grants for research stays abroad

The MN Faculty wishes to encourage its researchers to spend a research period abroad and has provided funding for travel support. Both temporary and permanent academic staff are eligible to apply.

 

Other internal UiO-funds