Nordic Centre of Excellence

The aim is to promote Nordic cooperation between outstanding researchers and research institutions, through strategic initiatives within areas of priority when this adds value to research in the Nordic countries. The intention is that the best research contribution that the Nordic region can offer, should be made visible and thus have increased influence in Europe and in the international research world in a broader sense.

A Nordic Centre of Excellence may be physical or virtual, in the shape of networks. They are established within research areas which have high priority in the Nordic countries. Through increased use of Nordic research infrastructure and cooperation across country borders researchers are given the opportunity to develop their potential to reach the international peak. Within the NCoE opportunities are created for young researchers to be established in excellent research environments.

Priority is given to research judged to have considerable potential to result in long-term knowledge based progress. An NCoE is usually built on cooperation between at least three countries within one topic or field. Participants are researchers receiving national or international basic funding, and who receive contribution to build an NCoE through NordForsk.