The Board of Helse Sør-Øst RHF has resolved to allocate up to 10 million NOK from the funding pot to prioritise research projects within two thematic areas (cf. board case 033-2026). The funds will be announced in the same process as the ordinary regional research funds (see description of application processing in Helse Sør-Øst).
Governance documents
The strategic prioritisation is intended to support research in specific themes and areas that are important for the continued development of the specialist health services. The prioritisation is based on relevant governance documents for the region:
- Regional utviklingsplan 2040 Helse Sør-Øst
- Delstrategi pasientsikkerhet og kvalitetsforbedring Helse Sør-Øst
- Regional delstrategi for teknologiområdet
- Oppdragsdokument til Helse Sør-Øst RHF for 2026
At a general level, the report from the Helsepersonellkommisjonens rapport and Nasjonal helse- og samhandlingsplan have also been the basis for the prioritisation .
Specific requirements for applications in prioritised areas
Applications for research funds within the prioritised areas must be based on the aforementioned steering documents. The project's main activities must fall within one of the prioritised areas. It is not sufficient for the theme to be included merely as a subcomponent of the project.
The project leader must be employed in at least a 50% position at the applicant institution.
User involvement is mandatory for projects within prioritised areas. This means that there must be genuine user involvement throughout the project period.
Prioritised thematic areas
This year's announcement prioritises the following areas:
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Digitalisation
The project manager must specify which thematic area the application pertains to by selecting the appropriate option in the prioritisation dropdown in the application form.
Quality improvement and patient safety
The prioritisation is specifically aimed at health service research with a focus on collaboration, integrated services, and coordinated patient pathways. The research projects should contribute to developing a more coherent health and care service across levels and structures. The projects should be based on the challenges as experienced by patients, primary care services, and specialist healthcare services, and develop knowledge that can directly improve quality, patient safety, and continuity of care.
In line with the national initiative Project X, the prioritisation is particularly directed towards research that develops, tests, and evaluates new collaboration models between specialist healthcare services and primary care services. The goal is for patients to experience one cohesive health service, regardless of organisational boundaries or service levels. Project X serves as a strategic driver to realise more integrated services through practice-oriented knowledge development and broad involvement of the services.
Relevant thematic areas for research projects may include:
- Reduced waiting times through better coordination, capacity utilisation, and efficient patient pathways.
- Strengthening patient safety across levels, especially in transition phases where the risk of errors is high.
- Development of new collaboration models that provide increased continuity, clearer role clarifications, and more coherent services from the patient's perspective.
Please note: Research projects within this area must include active collaboration between health trusts/hospitals and primary care services. Genuine collaboration in the research projects is crucial to ensure that the knowledge developed contributes to strengthening coordinated patient pathways and sustainable services throughout the region.
Helse Sør-Øst has significant demographic variation, different municipal structures, and many patient groups that frequently move between levels. In the region, the Project X initiative includes integrated services for the elderly and individuals with mental health issues, aiming to contribute to seamless transitions and better-coordinated follow-up. Project X also includes the development of solutions that enable patients to live safely at home, supported by both the municipality and hospitals through digital tools, interdisciplinary teams, and early intervention.
Digitalisation
There is a need for increased digitalisation, better utilisation of health data, and implementation of new technology as a prerequisite for a sustainable and efficient health service. With increased patient volume, more complex treatment pathways, and pressure on healthcare personnel, solutions are required that enable smarter workflows, more precise patient treatment, and better resource management.
Research projects within this area should include digital solutions that can strengthen clinical practice and contribute to better services.
Particularly important is technology that:
- supports clinical decisions through the use of health data, prediction, risk models, and real-time information
- automates routine tasks and reduces manual processes
- optimises resource use, workflow, and capacity planning
- enhances quality and patient safety by reducing unwanted variation and identifying risks early
Digital solutions that utilise artificial intelligence (AI) are especially relevant. This includes both decision support, automated image and text interpretation, prioritisation tools, logistics solutions, and technology that provides healthcare personnel with better oversight and a basis for action. To ensure quality and safety, it is expected that such solutions are tested in real clinical environments, allowing for the assessment of benefits, risks, and practical implications.
The research projects must also adhere to principles of universal design. Digital solutions should be accessible and usable for all users, regardless of functional level, language skills, or technological competence. Universal design is an integral part of quality, patient safety, and equal access to digital services.
Across the priorities, there is a clear goal that the projects should contribute to efficient resource utilisation and measures that reduce the need for healthcare personnel where possible. This includes digital tools that free up time for patient-facing work, simplify information flow, strengthen coordination, and contribute to a more robust and sustainable service.
See announcement of regional research funds from Helse Sør-Øst RHF for 2027.