# New Research Centres for Environment-friendly Energy

**Funder:** Research Council of Norway
**Budget:** NOK 60,000,000–120,000,000
**Deadline:** 23 September 2026
**Eligible countries:** NO
**Official call:** https://www.forskningsradet.no/en/call-for-proposals/2026/new-research-centres-environment-friendly-energy/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Establishes up to three new Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME Society) focused on social science and humanistic perspectives for the energy transition. Approved Norwegian research organisations eligible.

## Summary

The Research Council of Norway is establishing up to three new Centres for Environment-friendly Energy Research (FME Society) with budgets of NOK 60-120 million, focusing on social science and humanistic perspectives for the energy transition. The call targets approved Norwegian research organisations seeking to establish or strengthen multi-disciplinary centres bridging engineering, policy, and social dimensions of decarbonisation.

## Who should apply

- Approved Norwegian research organisations (universities, institutes, or consortium partners)
- Centres with multi-disciplinary teams linking engineering, social science, and humanistic scholarship
- Research groups addressing social acceptance, policy, behavioural, or ethical dimensions of energy transition
- Organisations with proven track record in cross-sector collaboration and stakeholder engagement

## Key dates

- Application deadline: 23 September 2026
- Up to three new centres will be funded in this call
- Centre duration and reporting structure to be confirmed in full call text

## Tips for applicants

- FME Society explicitly prioritises social science and humanistic research, frame your centre's value proposition around non-technical innovation, not lab infrastructure.
- Consortium strength matters: include letters from industry, policy, and civil-society partners showing commitment to co-production of knowledge.
- The call is rare; visit the Research Council of Norway website immediately to access the full call text and any pre-application guidance, as details on centre duration and governance are not yet public.

## Frequently asked questions

### What is the budget for the FME Society centre call?

NOK 60-120 million per centre; up to three centres will be funded.

### Who can apply for the FME Society centre call?

Approved Norwegian research organisations, typically universities or research institutes, may apply individually or as consortia.

### What research focus does the FME Society call emphasise?

Social science and humanistic perspectives on the energy transition, including policy, social acceptance, behaviour, and ethics, not fundamental physics or engineering alone.

### When is the FME Society call deadline?

23 September 2026.

---

Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/research-council-of-norway-new-research-centres-for-environment-friendly-ener-2026-09) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md).