Nordic Centres of Excellence in research

Internationally competitive research is only possible through long-term work and support. A Nordic Centre of Excellence (NCoE) Programme is originally initiated to increase the quality, efficiency, competitiveness and visibility of Nordic research through enhanced collaboration between Nordic countries. A NCoE Programme is based on existing research groups in the Nordic countries, not on creation of new units or institutions. Basic funding of the NCoEs is expected to come from national sources and the Nordic support thus should supplement this national funding.

Objectives of the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme
The main objective of a NCoE Programme is to create added value through Nordic cooperation and further increase the scientific quality of Nordic research. Enhancement of scientific co-operation between the Nordic countries is of primary importance. The joint Nordic values of Culture, Society and Economy form an excellent basis for enhanced co-operation, and vice versa; research provides a good means to further strengthen the common Nordic values. The production of scientific knowledge relevant to the unique Nordic conditions is an important aim.

The Nordic countries host several outstanding scientists and research groups in many fields of research, but since these "hot spots of research" are scattered in many countries, the international visibility of this research is not always as high as it deserves. Therefore, it is of crucial importance to bring excellent Nordic researchers and research groups together to form more visible (virtual, not physical) centres or "networks". This will make the Nordic region more attractive to top researchers and post docs from countries outside the region as well.

The NCoE Programme is a very competitive and visible way to introduce the best of Nordic science to the European research arena. Experience in Nordic research co-operation can be a significant advantage when competing or collaborating with other European research units in the European Research Area (ERA). The Nordic Centres of Excellence will qualify the participants and place them in an advantageous position for future funding through the Seventh Framework Programme.

The objectives of a Nordic Centre of Excellence Programme are:

Main features of the Nordic Centres of Excellence Programme
The Nordic Centres of Excellence are selected for a five-year period based on open competition. The most important selection criterion is excellent scientific quality (in an international context) of the research of the NCoE candidate in its own field, and the potential to further develop it on the Nordic arena. In addition to the research and management/operation plan and the scientific merits of the senior researchers of the NCoE, the research environment and researcher training activities are taken into consideration.

The selection of the NCoEs is based on a thorough peer-review process carried out by high-level non-Nordic experts. The secretariat functions of the Programme are provided by the NordForsk Secretariat. Within the limited budget of the present NCoE Programme, a maximum of 3 NCoEs will be selected.

Structure of Nordic Virtual Centres of Excellence
Virtual Centres of Excellence, which will serve to achieve maximal cohesiveness of Nordic research groups, are favoured. The centres will be networks of existing research units representing at least three different Nordic countries. The centres can promote Nordic science in an efficient way by increasing its visibility through strengthening intra-Nordic contacts and staff mobility between the very best Nordic research units. A centre with research units situated in different Nordic countries should have well organised joint management and co-ordination. Each research unit in the network should
show very high or excellent scientific quality, and, as a whole, the virtual centre should be of excellent scientific quality. The network may also share key infrastructures.

The operation of the NCoEs thus defined, co-Nordic support may only be allocated to: