Universities cut research spending, report shows Oslo Economics and Nifu found that Norway’s universities and colleges have reduced their research investments, confirming a downward trend highlighted in a recent Khrono analysis [2].
2025 marks first decline in research money, staff and full‑time equivalents The latest data reveal that research effort fell in total funding, number of researchers and årsverk across universities, institutes and industry, a simultaneous drop not seen before [1].
Researcher headcount drops for first time since the 1960s According to Statistics Norway, the number of researchers fell for the first time in over sixty years, breaking a long‑standing pattern of real growth except during the financial crisis and the pandemic, when declines were smaller [1].
Norway slips to 15th place in European research ranking Molvær warns that while neighbouring countries boost research, technology and innovation spending, Norway’s position fell to 15th in Europe, signalling a loss of future knowledge capacity [1].
Minister attributes cuts to reduced pandemic funding, cites limited future growth Aasland explains that extra pandemic‑era grants have ended, leaving public research financing strong but unlikely to grow significantly over the next decade; she also notes a 2024 dip in private R&D but highlights new initiatives in life sciences, quantum tech and AI [1].
New public‑private partnership announced to strengthen research Aasland points to a recent agreement linking Oslo University Hospital, SINTEF, the University of Oslo and a major Nordic pharmaceutical company as a key step to enhance collaboration and competitiveness [1].