Call for proposals – Helse Vest Research Funding 2027

The research funds serve as an incentive and financial contribution to promote high-quality research, and to build research competence through the allocation of PhD and researcher fellowships.
The Regional Liaison Committee for Research and Innovation, which awards the funds, encourages regional collaboration in research projects that apply for funding.

Application Categories and Guidelines

Aims and criteria describe who can apply for research funding from Helse Vest. For more information on who is eligible to apply, including access to the endorsement form that must be used in the application process for 2027 funding, see the information under “Who can apply for Helse Vest Research Funds.”

The following application categories are open for this call:

• PhD fellowships
• Research fellowships 
• Grants for clinical studies (20 per cent)
• Open Project support
• Fellowships for Research stays abroad
• For previously awarded postdoctoral fellowships:  extension of postdoctoral fellowships for research stays abroad

Guidelines have been developed for all application categories. Please note that there are different requirements for applicants across the various categories. Applicants must familiarize themselves with the requirements and recommendations outlined in the guidelines.

For more information on who can apply, including access to the anchoring form required for the 2027 application process, please refer to Who can apply for Helse Vest research funds.

New in the call for 2027

• A new application category, Research Fellowships, replaces the previous categories Postdoctoral Fellowships and Clinical Researcher Fellowships. See the guidelines for this application category for more information.
• For the application category Open Project Support, changes have been made regarding what can be applied for and how many years the budget can span. In addition, a requirement has been introduced for management anchoring of planned regional collaboration (letter of intent). See the guidelines for this application category for more information.
• For the application category Fellowships for Research Stays Abroad, it is now possible to apply twice a year – in April and September. The prioritization criteria and application requirements are described in more detail in the guidelines for these fellowships.

Assessment of applications

Applications to Helse Vest are assessed based on scientific quality and impact for the health services. The two criteria are equally important, meaning that high impact for the health services or high quality alone is not sufficient to be awarded funding. Read more in Aims and Criteria.

Some categories will also be assessed based on specific criteria:

• Open Project Support
• Grants for clinical studies (20 percent)

User involvement

User involvement in research projects is required. Applicants must describe any user involvement in the project or explain why this is not applicable.

Application requirements

Two PDF attachments must accompany the electronic application:

1. Project description– A template is provided. All main points in the template are mandatory, while some subpoints are advisory and may not apply to all projects/categories. Note: there is  for "Fellowships for clinical studies (20 percent)."
2. Other attachments (one PDF file)– Required attachments vary by category. Please refer to the relevant guidelines and instructions in the application form.

Applications that do not meet the requirements may be rejected. A list of common reasons for rejection is available.

Funding Decision

The allocation of Helse Vest research funds 2027 will be decided at the meeting of the Regional Liaison Committee (Samarbeidsorganet) on November 25, 2026. The results will be announced on Helse Vest's website shortly after the meeting.

Contact the Regional Competence Center for Clinical Research if you have questions.