Guidelines for open project support
As a main rule, the principal investigator – the one who has academic responsibility for the project – should be the applicant. The applicant must hold a PhD. Applicants can only send one application in the same category.
Helse Vest grants up to NOK 1.5 million per year for up to three years in the application category Open project support.
The progress in the projects must be documented through yearly accounting reports and academic reports.
Who can apply – requirements at the time of application
The applicant must be employed (min. 20%) by a health trust in the region or by a private, non-profit institution that has an agreement with Helse Vest.
If the employment requirement is not met, people who are employed by universities and colleges in the region, as well as private substance abuse centres and rehabilitation institutions with an agreement with Helse Vest, can still apply if an agreement of support with a health trust or a private, non-profit institution is attached, please see Who can apply for research funding for more information.
If the applicant is retiring during the project period, a statement clarifying who will continue the project must be attached to the application.
What can be applied for
Funds can be applied to cover expenses for personnel, operations and equipment.
If equipment costs are applied for, the applicant must give information about which research groups will be able to use the equipment. Ownership of equipment must be agreed upon, and maintenance must be ensured by procuring multi-year service packages upon acquisition.
If the equipment in question is already located at a nearby institution, in geographic proximity or access to the equipment exists through national agreements, the applicant must justify the need to duplicate the equipment. Equipment purchased with Helse Vest research funds must be available for use by all interested parties by express agreement.
More on personnel
Funding can be applied to cover the cost of support staff such as laboratory technicians and research nurses, etc.
Funding can be applied to cover the cost of payroll compensation for clinicians in hospitals (fixed salary/basic salary) for up to 6 months (for the total project period). It should be established that other sabbatical alternatives have been used or are not available.
Applications for PhD fellowships or postdoctoral fellowships connected to the project must be submitted with a separate application, please see the guidelines for each fellowship. Operational costs for candidates must be covered from other funding streams (refer to the guidelines for scholarships), and the category "open project support" shall not be used soley for operational costs for scholarships.
It is not possible to apply for research fellowships/research positions.
If funds are awarded
Personnel financed by Helse Vest research funds are to be employed by the applicant institution (the health trust or the private, non-profit institution).
If changes occur in the applicant's employment situation during the project period (cf. Who can apply for research funds from Helse Vest), the applicant institution has the final word on whether the project's association is also to be changed or if a new project manager must be appointed.
Project description and other attachments
Two attachements must be uploaded: