The Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s strategy emphasises that the institute shall increase its participation in European research collaboration. In particular, focus is directed towards stronger participation in the EU’s Framework Programmes for research and development.

Great attention is also paid to the development of the European Research Area (ERA). The EU co-ordinator, along with the Norwegian Institute of Public Health’s steering committee for the EU/EEA, is responsible for implementing and following up the institute’s EU strategy.

European research cooperation is undergoing significant development. In Horizon 2020, which is the successor to the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme, the EU’s research policy will be directed more towards the development of the European Research Area (ERA) and the realisation of the “fifth freedom”; the free movement of researchers, knowledge and technology.

In addition, the aim is to achieve mutual coordination of the EU’s and the Member States’ research activities, programmes and policies. The Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and the Norwegian Research Council support these initiatives. International cooperation will become an important prerequisite in the future for the financing of research projects by the Norwegian Research Council, as well as becoming a standard part of graduate education. 

• The European Research Area: New Perspectives, Green paper 04.04.2007. “Inventing our future together” (pdf) 
• Research Council of Norway’s International strategy 2010 – 2020 
• Norway’s reflections on the EU’s 8th Framework Programme (pdf)