Russia – an increasingly important research partner for Norway
Norwegian researchers are seeking to acquire greater knowledge of social conditions in Russia, Norway’s neighbor to the east. The Norwegian Research Council has therefore established a social science research program on Russia and International Relations in the Northern Areas.
The establishment of the program, called NORRUSS for short, is an important step in the development of Norwegian-Russian relations. The program issued its first call for proposals in October 2010. Some NOK 10 million in research funding will be allocated in January 2011.
The primary objective of the program is to generate knowledge of relevance to Norwegian foreign policy and the expansion of international relations in the northern areas, and of relevance to Norwegian-Russian relations within trade and industry, the political sphere, the public administration and civil society, the Research Council’s web site reads.
The change in Russia’s economic and political position over the past decades has made it easier to establish research contacts and develop the knowledge base in an increasing number of areas. Collaborative projects between Norway and Russia in the fields of energy, environmental and polar research, marine technology, innovation and education make up a significant part of the Research Council’s portfolio. Russia is currently the fifth most important country for Norway in terms of bilateral cooperation funded by the Research Council.
