Research Council of Norway
Public Sector PhD Project – Doctoral Project in the Public Sector
Rolling deadline
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Catalog updated: .
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No deadline is on file for this call. Check Research Council of Norway's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The Public Sector PhD Project funds doctoral candidates embedded in Norwegian public agencies to tackle research questions arising from agency operations and strategy. The call is part of the Research Council of Norway's effort to strengthen research-based innovation in the public sector, with a rolling deadline and project durations of 36-48 months. Public agencies apply on behalf of prospective doctoral candidates; projects must be rooted in documented agency needs and incorporated into institutional development plans.
Details
| Funder | Research Council of Norway |
| Budget | NOK 109M (programme total) |
| Duration | 36-48 months |
| Consortium | Required — public agency employing the doctoral candidate and a degree-awarding research organisation |
| Frequency | Continuous |
| Career stage | Early-career opportunity |
| Eligible countries | NO |
Eligibility & scope
Recruits doctoral candidates in public agencies to strengthen research-based innovation and competence-building in the public sector, based on the agency's development needs.
Who Should Apply
- •Public sector agencies (ministries, directorates, regional/municipal bodies) in Norway
- •Doctoral candidates ready to embed research within agency operations and strategy
- •Projects addressing documented agency needs and aligned with institutional development plans
- •Agencies seeking research-driven solutions to operational, policy, or organizational challenges
Key Dates
- •Rolling deadline (open-ended submission)
- •36-48 month project duration per award
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Applications come from the public agency, not the candidate; secure buy-in from leadership and secure a placement commitment before proposing.
- ✓Ground the research question in a documented agency need (audit finding, strategic priority, service gap); vague or academically-driven topics score poorly.
- ✓The doctoral plan must clarify how the candidate will balance agency responsibilities with thesis work; outline this explicitly in the methodology section.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a Public Sector PhD Project grant?
Project duration is 36 to 48 months, set by the applicant agency within that range.
Who applies for the Public Sector PhD Project, the candidate or the agency?
The public sector agency applies on behalf of the doctoral candidate; the agency is the applicant of record.
Where can I apply for a Public Sector PhD Project grant?
The call is open to public sector agencies in Norway only, including ministries, directorates, and regional or municipal bodies.
What kind of research does the Public Sector PhD Project fund?
Research rooted in agency needs and strategic priorities, carried out by a doctoral candidate embedded within the agency to strengthen research-based innovation in the public sector.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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