Research Council targets innovation and sustainability in 2016

The Research Council of Norway has announced that it intends to increase its investment by NOK 1.1bn (~€125m) as part of its contribution to the national research budget for 2016.

The Research Council has said it is targeting sustainability, increasing innovation and competitiveness, and encouraging collaboration with international research groups in its proposals. The organisation is particularly emphasising a move towards an environmentally friendly and economical society, which is expected to collectively benefit from a third of the budget increase.

Speaking about the Research Council plans, director general Arvid Hallén said it was important to address the grand challenges facing society. He commented: “Innovative solutions for a sustainable society begin with the best knowledge available from world-class research groups and from companies that invest in research-based innovation. Norway must invest, in particular, in areas where we have specific advantages, where new solutions are urgently needed and where Norwegian research groups have the potential to make their mark internationally.”

Hallén said that whilst the 2015 national budget proposals were “commendable”, more money needed to be invested in climate change research, as well as alternative energy supplies, marine research, health, ICT and participation in Horizon 2020, amongst others.

“In the 2015 budget,” Hallén added, “the government has focused on instruments to promote high quality in research, broad-based mobilisation of the private sector, and the internationalisation of research. These are indeed areas in need of increased support, but we also need a stronger national focus on thematic areas that are vital for Norway and where we can achieve a leading international role.

“The Research Council provides the government with key input on how to accomplish this, and our recommendations are firmly based on our close contact with the research community and trade and industry.”