Requirements for project managers
All applications for regional research funding from Helse Sør-Øst RHF must be submitted through a host institution, which means a health enterprise, private charitable hospital, or a private institution eligible to apply for funding in Helse Sør-Øst (see list below).
The project manager (applicant) must:
- hold a doctorate
- be employed in at least a 20% position at the host institution from the time of application and throughout the entire project period
- have their main position at either the host institution or another institution in the region (in the health sector or other sectors)
The requirement for at least a 20% position at the host institution applies to both temporary and permanent positions. Project leaders who hold temporary positions at the host institution from the time of application until the project starts may apply for funding for their own research grant for the entire project period.
For the allocation of targeted research funding to priority areas and strategic research funding to non-university hospitals, it is required that the project manager holds at least a 50% position at the host institution.
Restrictions for project managers
Each project manager may only submit one application for regional research funding.
Additionally, Helse Sør-Øst RHF has set an upper annual limit for the allocation amount per project manager. For 2027, this limit is 4.5 million NOK. The limit applies collectively to both ongoing and new research projects, regardless of the application category.
From 2027 onwards, the payment schedule for all new research projects will commence on 1 January in the first project year, even if some projects start later in the year. The annual allocation amount per project manager is calculated based on the payment schedule for the projects. The payment schedule for each project is not affected by any extensions of the project period.
This means that:
- In the categories PhD grants and researcher fellowships (early career), research projects will have a payment schedule of either three full calendar years (100% position) or six full calendar years (50% position).
- In the category open project support, all research projects will have a payment schedule of up to three full calendar years.
External project manager
If the formal requirements for the project manager are met, an application may be submitted with an external project manager for projects at one of the two non-university hospitals in the region with the lowest research activity, Sykehuset Telemark HF and Sunnaas sykehus HF, or a private charitable institution eligible to apply for regional research funding. This arrangement applies only to the categories PhD grants and researcher fellowships (early career).
The rights and obligations of the project manager in the project must, in such cases, be specified in a written agreement between the project manager's institution and the host institution.
External projects do not count towards the annual quota per project manager but fall under the institutional quota. Project manager for external projects that commenced in the last three years (2024, 2025, or 2026) may not submit a new application as an external project leader in this call.
Upper age limit for project manager
Individuals over 70 years old (born in 1956 or earlier) are not eligible to apply but may have a role as a project participant.
It is permitted to be a project manager for ongoing projects until the age of 72. If the project manager turns 72 during the project period, the application must include a confirmation from the host institution that the project manager's responsibilities will be transferred to another person when this occurs. Please use the template for such confirmation.
List of Host Institutions
Health Enterprises:
Akershus universitetssykehus HF
Oslo universitetssykehus HF
Sunnaas sykehus HF
Sykehusapotekene HF
Sykehuset i Vestfold HF
Sykehuset Innlandet HF
Sykehuset Telemark HF
Sykehuset Østfold HF
Sørlandet sykehus HF
Vestre Viken HF
Charitable private hospitals:
Betanien Hospital
Diakonhjemmet Sykehus
Lovisenberg Diakonale Sykehus
Martina Hansens Hospital
Revmatismesykehuset
Charitable private institutions:
Beitostølen helsesportsenter
Capio Anoreksi Senter
CatoSenteret
Frambu senter for sjeldne diagnoser
Modum Bad
Rehabiliteringssenteret AiR
Skjelfoss Psykiatriske Senter
Tyrilistiftelsen
Unicare Rehabilitering, enhetene i Helse Sør-Øst