Nordic research on critical and emerging technologies
NordForsk has several initiatives supporting the development and responsible use of critical and emerging technologies in the Nordics, such as artificial intelligence, disruptive technologies, and quantum technologies.
Quantum technologies
NordForsk joins international collaboration on a G7-Nordic call for proposals for research projects on quantum technologies and announces funding for Nordic participation in 12 international projects. The call deadline is 24.09.2026.
NordForsk has establish a Nordic working group on quantum science and technology. The group brings together representatives from NordForsk, Nordic Innovation, Nordic Energy Research, national research funding agencies, national innovation funding agencies, as well as a representative from the Nordic Council of Ministers secretariat. The group is mandated to propose concrete Nordic activities in quantum research and innovation, including joint calls for proposals.
Nordic Quantum Technology Research Co-operation
This report assesses Nordic quantum collaboration across research, infrastructure, and innovation, outlining joint steps for funders and performers.
Disruptive technologies
NordForsk has joined the International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges which supports interdisciplinary and transformative research aimed at harnessing disruptive technology.
The intention is to fund Nordic participation in 12 research projects under this call.
The deadline has passed for submitting a Letters of Intent to apply (LOI) to the competition. Based on evaluation selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal. Notice of funding decisions will be sent out in March 2027.
17 projects on the responsible use of artificial intelligence
NordForsk has funded 17 projects with the aim to make the most of the potentials and mitiage the risks and harmful consequences of the use of artificial intelligence in the Nordic-Baltic region.
The funded projects tackle areas such as large language models and generative AI, AI in education, AI in the energy and maritime sectors, AI governance and digital services, AI in health and welfare, and AI in workplaces.
- Applications: 200
- Funded projects: 17
- Researchers: 163
- Institutions: 47
- Countries: 9
A Nordic initiative for research and innovation on responsible and ethical use of Artificial Intelligence
A NORDHORCS discussion paper
Other initiatives
Nordic Tier-1 (NT1)
The Nordic Tier-1 (NT1) is an operational activity that provides research computing and data storage for the global high-energy physics community.
Nordic University Cooperation on Edge Intelligence (NUEI)
NUEI focuses on edge intelligence, a Nordic area of growth and a key technology enabler in many industrial domains and sustainability.
Unconventional Computing using Ionic Gated Spintronic Nano-oscillators (CoSIGN)
The CoSIGN project brings together leading Nordic research groups to develop a new class of computing devices based on spintronics, a technology that uses the quantum property of electron spin, alongside its charge, to perform calculations. Spintronic devices promise major gains in speed, energy efficiency, and data storage, while operating at room temperature and integrating seamlessly with existing electronics.
Unconventional Computing Nordic Research Network (UniCoRN)
Inspired by natural systems that perform complex tasks with minimal energy, the UniCoRN network focuses on unconventional computing paradigms that tightly couple algorithms with their physical realization.
Featured articles
Call for proposals: Quantum Technologies
NordForsk joins international collaboration on a G7-Nordic call for proposals for research projects on quantum technologies and announces funding for Nordic participation in 12 international projects.
Call for proposals: Disruptive Technologies
The deadline has passed for submitting a LOI to the competition International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges. Based on evaluation selected applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.
New research projects to make the most of the potentials and mitigate the risks of AI in the Nordics and Baltics
The technological development of Artificial Intelligence is rapidly evolving, and its implementation is developing in unpredictable patterns. Seventeen new research projects have received funding to support the ethical use of AI.
Understanding Edge Intelligence through Nordic expertise
Nordic university co-operation works towards the decentralisation of the artificial intelligence network systems in the Nordic countries to ensure better privacy and resilience of smart devices.
