Public Sector PhD Project – Doctoral Project in the Public Sector 2026
This grant funds PhD projects in Norwegian public sector agencies to drive research-based innovation and address sector-specific challenges through collaboration with universities.
Funder: Research Council of Norway
Due Dates: Rolling (open-ended, ongoing while funds remain) | Earliest project start: August 10, 2026 | Latest project start: January 4, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to NOK 715,000–852,000/year (3-year projects) or NOK 536,000–639,000/year (4-year projects); maximum 50% of total project costs; total call budget NOK 108,600,000.
Summary: Supports PhD projects in the Norwegian public sector to foster research-based innovation and long-term competence through collaboration with universities.
Key Information: Funding is non-competitive and awarded on a rolling basis to eligible applications until funds are exhausted.
Description
This grant funds doctoral projects embedded in Norwegian public sector agencies, aiming to strengthen research-based innovation and build long-term competence. The scheme is designed to foster close collaboration between public sector bodies and degree-conferring institutions (universities/university colleges), ensuring that research addresses real needs and challenges of the public sector and is integrated into the agency's development plans. The scheme is open to all public sector thematic areas, with earmarked funds available for fields such as defense capability, sustainable health and care services, labour and welfare, education, gender equality and non-discrimination, and circular economy. The program is non-competitive: all eligible applications are funded on a rolling basis as long as funding remains.
