Guidelines for Grants for Clinical Studies (20 percent)

Page in Norwegian

These grants are targeted towards integrating research into clinical practice and are aimed at recruiting clinical staff to participate in ongoing clinical studies. The grants are aimed towards healthcare professionals who have completed their PhD degree but have no or limited research experience beyond this. This initiative is aimed at increasing interest and competence in clinical studies and thereby serving as a long-term recruitment measure for clinical research in the region.

Who Can Apply – Requirements at the Time of Application

• The applicant must be employed by a health trust or a private, non-profit institution in the region, and hold a clinical or paraclinical position (at least 50 percent).
• The applicant must have obtained a PhD but have no or limited research experience beyond this.
• The relevant employment must be clearly stated in the applicant's CV.
• The grant cannot be transferred to others.
• The applicant cannot submit multiple applications in the same application category.

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. Applications for Clinical Study Grants (20 percent) are also assessed based on the regional profile of the project in question, and the impact for the department during and after the grant period. Provided the applications otherwise meet the criteria, distribution of the grants in terms of geography and academic field may be considered. 

What Can Be Applied For

• The application must be linked to one or more ongoing research projects at the department where the applicant is employed.
• The projects must already be funded, and the grants should primarily be used for competence building for the applicant.
• Grants can be applied for up to 3 years.
• The rate follows the rate for postdoctoral grants and should be used for salary with social costs.
• Running costs cannot be applied for.

If Funds Are Awarded

• Upon accepting the grant, 20 percent of the clinical position of the applicant will be converted to a research position for the duration of the funding period.
• If there are changes in the applicant's employment relationship after allocation and during the project period, the grant will be terminated.
• Researchers who receive Helse Vest's research funds must complete a course in user involvement. Employees in the health trusts will receive a course certificate if they complete the course through the learning portal (Læringsportalen).

Project Overview and Other Attachments

Two attachments must be uploaded with the application: