New Programme in Higher Education, Research and Development (HERD) in the Western Balkans 2010-2013. Application deadline 1 July 2010
03/06/2010 //
The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has started the application process for its new programme for support to higher education and research in the Western Balkans, Higher Education, Research and Development (HERD). The aim of the programme is to contribute to economic growth and development through co-operation in higher education and research. It will be implemented over a period of four years (2010-2013).
The programme is focused on four areas: maritime sector, agriculture and energy, and development. While all countries in the Western Balkan region are eligible for support, the main priority will be given to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Kosovo. Through support to research and development, this programme aims to encourage innovation, product and process developments, and in developing closer collaboration between the business community and academia. Cooperation between institutions in BiH and Norway are an integral part of the programme.
Read more about the program here.
Funds for this project amount to NOK 32 million per annum, allocated among the four sectors. The application deadline is 1 July, 2010, at 3 pm.
Please see guidelines for the project and the application process before applying. The application form can be downloaded here.
Please note that applications should be prepared in cooperation with institutions in Norway. Decisions on the allocation of funds will be made on 1 September 2010. Approved projects should start up in 2010, and be completed by 31.12.2013.
Norwegian financing of the Research and Education sector
Norway has a long history of investment and financing of enterprise development, higher education institutions, and innovation and research projects in the Western Balkans. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided support for two long-term programmes with research and higher education in the Western Balkans, one administered through the Research Council of Norway (RCN) and Norwegian Centre for International Co-operation in Higher Education (SIU), the other an institutional collaboration administered by Noragric/University of Life Sciences (UMB).
The intention of these programs was to support institutional development and encourage development of research and science. Governance and democracy building have also been targets for these programmes, with focus on support to efforts relating to environmental protection, natural resources and marine issues. Both programs operated under two consecutive four year cycles, and were concluded in 2009 with an evaluation of the programmes.
In addition, the RCN/SIU has produced a publication, “Crossing Minds and Borders”, to mark the end of the Cooperation Programme within Higher Education and Research with Countries in the Western Balkans 2006-2009. You can download the pdf-version of the publication from http://www.siu.no/en/Programme-overview/Western-Balkans-2006-2009/Final-Conference-Sarajevo-2010/Conference-publication
The Norwegian financing experience in the Western Balkans has overall been fairly successful, and has produced visible results in several areas, such as governance and democracy building and environmental protection.