Research Council of Norway
Sentre for fremragende forskning (SFF) VI – Trinn 2 (Centres of Excellence, Round VI – Stage 2)
Stage 2 (full proposal) deadline; Stage 1 closed 12 November 2025. Only the 36 invited applicants may submit to Stage 2.
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The Research Council of Norway's Centres of Excellence (SFF) Round VI funds long-term, potentially ground-breaking research through approximately 11 new centres sharing around NOK 1.76 billion over an initial five-year period, renewable for a second term. The scheme targets research teams at Norwegian institutions proposing ambitious, collaborative projects evaluated against ERC Synergy Grant standards. This round is now in Stage 2 (full proposal submission); only the 36 applicants invited from the closed Stage 1 (November 2025) may apply.
Details
| Funder | Research Council of Norway |
| Budget | ~NOK 1.76 billion total across ~11 centres |
| Deadline | 11 November 2026 |
| Duration | ~10 years (5-year centre period, renewable) |
| Application | 2-stage: Stage 1 pre-proposal (closed 12 Nov 2025, 176 submissions) → Stage 2 full proposal (deadline 11 Nov 2026, 36 invited applicants only) |
| Frequency | Every 5 years |
| Eligible countries | NO |
Eligibility & scope
Norwegian Centres of Excellence scheme funding long-term, potentially ground-breaking research. Approx. 11 new centres to share ~NOK 1.76 billion. Stage 2 is by invitation only (36 selected from 176 Stage 1 applicants). Host institutions must be Norwegian research organisations. Evaluation criteria aligned with ERC Synergy Grant standards.
Who Should Apply
- •Research teams at Norwegian academic or research institutions meeting Centres of Excellence criteria
- •Applicants invited to Stage 2 following Stage 1 pre-proposal shortlisting (36 of 176 submissions selected)
- •Collaborative teams proposing ambitious, potentially paradigm-shifting research across any discipline
- •Interdisciplinary or cross-institutional consortia with sustained funding and governance plans
Key Dates
- •Stage 2 full proposal deadline: 11 November 2026 (36 invited applicants only)
- •Stage 1 pre-proposal closed 12 November 2025; 176 submissions received, 36 invited to Stage 2
- •Funded centre period: ~5 years, renewable for a second 5-year term
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Stage 2 evaluation mirrors ERC Synergy Grant standards, emphasise scientific excellence, ambition, and the added value of the consortium structure; individual team strengths are secondary to synergy.
- ✓Governance and management robustness matter: detail the centre's organisation, decision-making structure, and resource-sharing plan; weak administration sinks competitive bids.
- ✓You are one of 36; the bar is extremely high. Ensure the research question cannot be answered by any single team or traditional institution; the centre model must be justified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can apply to SFF VI Stage 2?
Only the 36 applicants invited following Stage 1 evaluation may submit Stage 2 full proposals. Stage 1 closed on 12 November 2025 and is no longer open to new submissions.
How much funding does an SFF VI centre receive?
Approximately 11 centres will share around NOK 1.76 billion total over the initial 5-year period; exact per-centre amounts depend on the evaluation and final award decisions.
How long is an SFF VI centre funded?
The initial funding period is approximately 5 years, with the possibility of renewal for a second 5-year term pending performance review.
What are the evaluation criteria for SFF VI Stage 2?
Evaluation is aligned with ERC Synergy Grant standards, emphasising scientific excellence, ambition, and the synergy gained through the collaborative centre structure.
How often does the SFF call open?
The Centres of Excellence scheme runs every 5 years; SFF VI is the current round.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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