From the left: Christer Hyggen, Minna Pikkaraisen, Kristin Skare Orgeret and Arvind Keprate. Photo: Sonja Balci, OsloMet.
158 applications for the research initiatives
The four thematic research initiatives at OsloMet have received a total of 158 project applications.
Following the deadline on 30 April for applying for funding for small projects within OsloMet’s four thematic research initiatives, a total of 158 applications have been submitted.
The distribution across the four initiatives is as follows:
- 35 applications for A Resilient Democracy
- 47 applications for Future Health and Care Services
- 49 applications for Inclusion of More Children and Young People
- 27 applications for Green Transition
Tanja Storsul, Pro-Rector for Research and Development, is pleased with the strong interest.
“I am very pleased to see that the thematic research initiatives are inspiring our academic communities. This bodes well for their contribution to developing new knowledge in key areas for the benefit of society,” says Storsul.
Satisfied initiative leaders
The academic leaders of the four thematic research initiatives are very satisfied with the response to the call.
Christer Hyggen leads the initiative on inclusion of more children and young people, and has conducted an initial overall review of the applications.
“I am impressed by the methodological innovation and academic creativity demonstrated in the applications, combined with a broad disciplinary range. The topics span from early childhood education and schools to mental health, child welfare, migration, and digital arenas for children and young people. Many projects combine perspectives through collaboration across faculties and fields of practice—just as we had hoped,” says Hyggen.
Kristin Skare Orgeret, academic leader for A Resilient Democracy, says they aim to have decisions on selected projects ready already at the beginning of June.
“It is very inspiring to see so many different approaches to the topic of a resilient democracy, with many interesting collaborations across disciplines,” she says.
The Green Transition initiative has also received a wide variety of applications, and academic leader Arvind Keprate says they aim to complete their assessments by 1 July.
“The project proposals we received span from AI-based textile sorting and climate journalism to conflict management in green transition processes and the digitalization of the water and wastewater sector. Exactly as we hoped, we are seeing good examples of collaboration across faculties and centers. Many applications bridge the gap between technical environments and social science insights as well as health sciences.”
Also, the academic leader for Future Health and Care Services, Minna Pikkarainen, points to a broad range and strong interdisciplinarity in the applications.
“The proposals range from elderly care, mental health, and rehabilitation to advanced AI, digital health technologies, and biomarker research. What stands out is how many projects combine perspectives across disciplines and sectors to address complex healthcare challenges. This is exactly what is needed to develop sustainable, person-centred health and care services for the future” she says.
Projects starting this autumn
The applications will now be evaluated by peer reviewers before the initiatives’ steering groups decide on funding allocations.
The number of projects funded within each initiative has not yet been determined, as this will depend on the size of each selected project. A total of up to NOK 8 million has been allocated to the call within each initiative.
