External funding and grants applications

The Research Department can assist you in finding information about current calls for proposals and funding opportunities for your project. We can also help with reviewing applications, budgeting support, and provide advice and guidance on administrative formalities, collaboration agreements, contracts, and reporting for our employees or partners. Contact: Anne Hjelle, anne.hjelle@sus.no

Applying for Funding

Before applying for funding for your research project, you must familiarize yourself with internal guidelines for the application process and obtain the necessary internal approvals.

Approval of the project idea by your immediate supervisor is required. You must explain the project's content/goals and what you are applying for in terms of funding (from the funding source), as well as what the project will cost the hospital to implement (co-financing). The total budget consists of the amount requested from the funding source plus the hospital’s own contribution.

Calls for Proposals

Employees in Helse Vest have access to the call calendar on the intranet, see Forskning - Utlysningskalender.

National proposals

• Helse Vest RHF (site only in Norwegian)
• KLINBEFORSK (site only in Norwegian)
• Norwegian Cancer Society
• Stiftelsen Dam (site only in Norwegian)

International proposals

• Horizon Europe - European Commission
• EU4Health - European Commission
• Innovative Health Initiative - IHI
• Joint Programming Initiatives - European Commission
• ECRIN - Ecrin

The Application Process

When you have a project idea and wish to apply for project funding, as project manager you should consider the following:

• Who in research support can assist you in the process
• Anchoring the project in the relevant department/clinic/institution(s)
• Planning meeting with the project team
• Contact financial support to help set up a realistic budget (at least 2 weeks before the application deadline): grants@sus.no
• Write the application. Involve the entire project team and ensure necessary resources are available. Start early enough to obtain all approvals, support letters, and other formalities. Notify if you need help with proofreading, advice, writing support, or application portals. Contact: anne.hjelle@sus.no
• Obtain support letters internally and from partners in good time (only when required by the call)
• If co-financing is required in the application, the final budget must be approved by the line manager and Director of Research before submission
• Submit the application and required attachments in the application portal

Administrative Responsibility at SUS

At SUS, all applications for funding from external national sources, the EU, and other international sources must be approved by the administrative responsible person or project administrator. Most funding sources also require the name of, and/or confirmation that the application has been approved by, the administrative responsible person.

The CEO at SUS has institutional responsibility for the follow-up of applications and for ensuring that contracts for research funding are entered into in accordance with internal requirements and guidelines. This role is delegated from the CEO to the Director of Research and the administrative responsible person:

Administrative Responsible / Project Administrator / Authorized Representative

• Svein Skeie
• Director of Research
• Helse Stavanger HF / Stavanger University Hospital
• Email: svein.skeie@sus.no
• Phone: +47 51519828
• Date of Birth: 05.07.1959

Award of Research Funding

Funding sources vary in how they provide feedback on awards or funding of research projects. Generally, the funding source notifies the applicant/project manager and the administrative responsible person at the institution. However, it is important to remember that the project manager is responsible for following up on the grant and formalizing it internally.

Once you have received a grant letter and/or contract from the funding source, only the administrative responsible person at SUS is authorized to sign and accept the grant. This is done in consultation with the applicant/project manager and the line manager (department head) where the applicant is employed and where the project will be carried out.

If the project involves partners from other institutions, collaboration agreements must be established (see Contracts and Agreements). Some funding sources require this in advance before a contract/grant letter can be signed between the funding source and the responsible institution. All collaboration agreements must be quality assured by the Research Department and the hospital’s legal advisors.

The project must be registered in eProtocol to receive an internal ID.

Tips for the Application

Useful courses and events: The Research Council of Norway
Good tips for the application:

• Start early
• Read the call carefully
• Read the evaluation criteria carefully
• Assemble the right project team and involve them early (including users)
• Involve research support, both internally and from the funder
• Familiarize yourself with specific templates/application forms and portals
• Be relevant (remember relevance)
• Be innovative
• Write clearly and concretely

See also resources developed by Oslo University Hospital: OUH - FAQ - Proposals