It can be ideas for new or significantly improved products, services, processes, organizational forms, etc. which can be used to add value to society.?
The University of Oslo has dedicated NOK 5 million in 2024 for early phase support for innovation projects that have a potential for value creation within all research areas at UiO.?
Before you apply, read this call text carefully?
Eligibility and requirements
- This call is aimed at applicants (faculty/staff, clinicians, postdocs, and PhD candidates) who (i) are employed at the University of Oslo (UiO), with a minimum 20% position (and searchable on UiO employee pages) and (ii) have an innovative idea that can contribute to solving an important societal need, but need funding to further develop the idea. This can include ideas for new or significantly improved products, services, processes, organizational forms etc. that can add value to society.?
- The application including a detailed cost budget must be acknowledged by the head of the department/centre.?
- The project manager is employed at UiO for the entire project period.?
- The applicant is responsible for entering a collaboration agreement with external institutions expected to contribute to the project. It is important that UiO always has rights for further research on the results.?
- This call is aimed at technologies or services that have not yet been registered DOFI or project at UiO’s technology transfer office Inven2 As. Rejection of DOFI or commercialization projects may apply.?
- Active projects in SPARK Norway or SPARK Social Innovation can only apply in their final year.???
Applications that do not meet these requirements will not be considered.
Available funding
The University of Oslo (UiO) has allocated NOK 5 million in 2024 for early-stage innovation projects with potential for value creation in all fields of study at UiO.
- Idea and concept phase – funding up to NOK 50 000?. A total of up to 20 projects will be granted.?
- Test and further development phase – funding up to NOK 400 000?. A total of up to 10 projects will be granted.
What is funded??
- Personnel and indirect costs: Salary expenses only for activities absolutely necessary for idea development. The potential buyout of permanent staff requires specific justification.?
- Consulting services: Costs related to the purchase of services from subcontractors or other development services, and if necessary external R&D and consulting services.?
- Materials and equipment: Costs related to the purchase of materials and equipment for the production of prototypes, necessary equipment for laboratory tests and more that cannot be rented elsewhere at UiO (including “Leiested”) or externally.?
- Other costs: All costs that do not fit under the above categories must be specified and must be directly linked to the project's development goals in order to be covered by the innovation funds.?
What is?not? funded??
- Basic research, development or marketing of existing products and services, or development costs for companies?
- Further development or implementation of existing technology/methods for Norwegian conditions?
- Patent costs?
- Development of marketing material, website, logo and profiling products?
- Travel and workshop expenses?
Selection criteria
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Innovation potential – degree of innovation and to what extent your solution is significantly new and better than existing solutions (products, services, processes, organizational form, etc.)?
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Social benefit – utility value for users of the new solution (products, services, processes, organizational form, etc.). Contribution to sustainable solutions for current and/or future societal challenges.??
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Feasibility – ability to execute in the form of team composition, project plan, budget, financing and strategy for utilization (only applicable for applications for test and development grant)?
The final recommendation will consider all fields of study at UiO based on approved applications. In addition, the recommendation should also have a good balance between commercial/non-commercial utilization.?
How to apply?
- Download the relevant Word template for project description and fill out. Some of the points may not apply to your project; you may leave those open.? ?
- Fill out the online application form and submit your application by 2 September.? You upload your project description as a PDF document in the form.? ?
- ?A review panel consisting of external and internal participants with a background in innovation will evaluate the applications and the results will be announced at the end of October 2024. ?
- All applicants will be offered follow-up from the UiO Growth House.