Biobanks, ocean monitoring, wind energy, and micro- and nanotechnology are being given a powerful boost in terms of research equipment. Four national research facilities were recently granted allocations totalling NOK 210 million.
The HUNT biobank
The following research facilities have received funding:
NOK 18 million for remote ocean monitoring
Six small remote-controlled vessels, which can best be described as underwater model aeroplanes, will monitor the North Atlantic Ocean and generate basic data for use in marine research, climate research and ecosystem research, among other applications.
Applicant institution: University of Bergen
New equipment to enhance Norway’s position in the wind turbine industry
Chr. Michelsen Research (CMR) in Bergen will invest the NOK 45 million the institute received from the Research Council in constructing a floating test turbine to measure and test individual components for offshore wind turbines. The equipment will provide a foundation for technology development in Norway and pave the way for industrial export opportunities.
Applicant institutions: Chr. Michelsen Research AS (CMR), SINTEF
NOK 80 million to upgrade biobanks
Norway’s numerous biobanks will be consolidated into a unified nationwide research infrastructure. Investments will also be made in enormous deep-freeze storage facilities for storage at temperatures of -20°C and -80°C, automated storage and retrieval systems for biological samples, and modern analysis tools.
Applicant institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), University of Tromsø, University of Oslo, University of Bergen, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Central Norway Regional Health Authority, Northern Norway Regional Health Authority, Western Norway Regional Health Authority, South-Eastern Norway Regional Health Authority
Future-oriented nanotechnology equipment
Research in the field of micro- and nanotechnology – spearheaded by the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) – has received NOK 65 million from the Research Council to modernise scientific equipment and establish national research infrastructure within this strategically important field. Read more
Applicant institutions: Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), SINTEF, University of Oslo, Vestfold University College
The equipment will be made available to all the relevant research groups and industries in Norway – not only to the groups located at the institutions in Bergen and Trondheim that will house the actual equipment.
Major 10-year initiative
The national initiative for financing of research infrastructure has been launched for a 10-year period (2008-2017) and is funded from the yield of NOK 7.3 billion of the Fund for Research and Innovation. Research in a number of crucial areas of society will benefit from a major leap in funding for investment in equipment.
In addition to the NOK 210 million in funding that has just been awarded, some NOK 270 million has already been allocated for electronic infrastructure, advanced scientific equipment, and scientific databases and collections. A call for proposals for distribution of an additional NOK 400 million will be issued closer to the summer.
Increased potential for international cooperation
The national research infrastructure initiative also seeks to increase the potential for participation in top-level international research cooperation. The aim is to enhance the Norwegian research community’s international reputation as a provider of outstanding research infrastructure.