Call for Applications for CAS Research Grant

The application deadline has expired. Next call will be announced in June 2025.

Each year, we host three research groups engaging in research within and across the following fields:

• Humanities/Theology
• Social sciences/Law
• Natural sciences/Medicine/Mathematics

The research groups stay at CAS, situated at the stately premises of The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in Oslo, for one academic year. Each project receives a grant of roughly NOK 3.2 million.

There are no laboratory facilities at CAS. However, projects involving laboratory work, field work and data collection are welcome to apply to develop the theoretical aspects of their research. Laboratory work, field work and data collection can take place either before the stay at CAS or at another suitable place during the stay as long as the residential requirements for the PIs are met.

Researchers who have ongoing laboratory activities at their home institutions during their stay at CAS, should consider carefully how these can be handled on the day-to-day basis by one or more junior researchers as part of their training. These younger researchers may then in turn be included as part of the research environment established at CAS if this is in accordance with the overall plan for the stay at CAS.

Who may apply?

Only faculty members who hold permanent, full-time, tenured academic positions at CAS' partner institutions in Norway are eligible to apply. The applicant will function as principal investigator (PI) and will assemble and lead the research group at CAS. In order to share leadership responsibilities, it is advisable to have a co-PI. The co-PI must also hold a permanent, full-time, tenured academic position at one of CAS' partner institutions. 

Please note that the application needs to be supported by your head of department. Our agreements with our partner institutions ensures that PIs and group members employed in tenured academic positions will be granted paid leave during their stay at CAS but this only applies if their teaching and tutoring obligations can be met while they are away. 

In addition to members from Norway, the PIs are expected to invite prominent researchers from around the world to participate in their projects. PIs are encouraged to include Ph.D. candidates or postdoctoral fellows for career development and mentorship. 

Scholars not employed at our partner will typically use their sabbatical leave during their stay at CAS. If this is not possible, a portion of the project’s budget may be used to cover teaching replacement costs. One exception is the fellow supported by Riksbankens Jubileumsfond (RJ), through the RJ-fellowship. If a CRG group receives an RJ fellow all costs pertaining to that extra fellow will be covered by the Nordic Fellowship Program and the partner agreement between CAS and RJ. An RJ fellow will thus substantially increase the research capacity of the corresponding CRG group without affecting its budget from CAS. We therefore encourage PIs in the humanities and social sciences to include an RJ fellow in their project proposal.

Residential requirements

The project participants’ stay at CAS vary from a few months to an entire year. PIs must be based at CAS for the duration of the academic year, which runs from 15 August to 30 June. If the project has two PIs, they may during shorter periods of the academic year alternate leadership responsibility if their family situation, laboratory work requirements or central elements of the project make this necessary. The absent PI must participate remotely during such periods. 

While in residence at CAS all fellows are expected to participate full time in the activities of the project. 

What we offer: a generous service platform and a unique research infrastructure

CAS provides a unique research infrastructure, an extensive service platform and an inspiring, collegial atmosphere. This includes:

• Five office spaces in well-equipped offices for single or double occupancy. (In the case of an RJ fellow the group will have six spaces.)
• Well-equipped seminar rooms with video conferencing equipment. 
• IT and library services.
• Assistance with conference and workshop planning.
• Subsidised lunch in the Centre’s Turret room for all fellows. 

• Pleasant accommodations within walking distance of the Centre (for researchers not based in the Oslo area).

   

What does the funding cover?

The current budget frame for each project is NOK 3,200,000. The funds can cover:

• Teaching replacement costs for scholars not employed by CAS’ partner institutions who cannot take sabbatical leave.  
  • Note: CAS does not pay overhead, but it is possible to cover an administration fee.
• Conferences, seminars and workshops organised as part of the group’s accomplishments during the stay at CAS.
• Travel and accommodation expenses for visiting fellows.*  
  • Note: CAS only covers economy class tickets.
• Visits from prominent scholars for internal seminars.
• Other expenses, which may include social expenses, special equipment and supplies. 

* CAS rents apartments in the vicinity of the Centre for fellows who live more than 40 km from CAS. The current monthly rate is NOK 26,000.

PIs who have their residence more than 40 km from CAS may apply for accommodation in Oslo provided by the Centre. Please contact CAS for more information. CAS’ operating budget will cover any such costs, and they therefore do not need to be included in the project budget.

How to apply

Applicants for the academic year of 2026/2027 must submit a complete application through the application portal UNIFOR. Required templates are available in the application portal. 

The deadline for submitting applications is 18 October 2024.

All documents must be written in English and submitted as PDF files.

Successful applicants will:

Submit a proposal that clearly formulates:

• the specific visions and research goals of the project
• the project's potential as a contribution to excellent fundamental research
• the implementation of the research plan that shows how the research at CAS will be led and organised to achieve the objectives of the project.

The application must contain:

• A full project description written for specialists in your field (max. 10 A4 pages).
• A CV (for each PI). Each project can have a maximum of two PIs. The PI not submitting the application must sign a letter of intent confirming their participation.
  • Note: The following CV template must be used. Download the template here >
  • Download letter of intent for co-PI > (We have been made aware that the template incorrectly stated that the academic year in question was 2025/2026. If you have used the old template this will not influence the selection process.)
• A letter of support from the head of each PI’s department (max. one A4 page).
  • Note: At minimum, the letter must confirm that you will keep your salary, and that you will be released from other duties during your period as a PI at CAS. We also advise that the letter include a short description of how the project will strengthen and generate value to the research environment at your home institution, even after the year at CAS has concluded.
• A short CV (max. one A4 page) and a signed letter of intent for up to four core members whom you intend to invite to long-term stays at CAS. If in addition you apply for the RJ-fellowship please note that an RJ fellow must (i) have an academic position in the humanities and/or social sciences at a Swedish higher education and research institution and (ii) belong to the core group of a planned CRG project for the entire academic year.
  • Note: Please do not submit CVs for any other group members whom you intend to invite to CAS.
  • Download letter of intent for fellows > (We have been made aware that the template incorrectly stated that the academic year in question was 2025/2026. If you have used the old template this will not influence the selection process.)
• A short list of other colleagues involved in the project, describing their background, merits and how they will contribute to the project.
• A preliminary budget. 
  • Note: The following budget template must be used. Download the template here >

In the relevant fields in the application form in the portal, you must fill out the following:

• A project abstract (approximately 100 words). 
• Primary and secondary objectives of the project (approximately 100 words). 
• A description of how a year at CAS will benefit the project (approximately 300 words). 
• A detailed plan of activities and cooperations for the year at CAS. 
• An ethical self-assessment (approximately 200 words). 
  • Note: Please read CAS’ guidelines for ethics in research >
• Three suggestions for referees for your project.
  • Note: Your suggestions for referees must conform to CAS’ guidelines for possible conflicts of interest >

We encourage all applicants to have all documents, attachments and texts finalised and converted to the right format before registering their application in the portal.

Other requirements:

If the project requires pre-approval from the Norwegian Data Protection Authority, the Regional Committees for Medical and Health Research Ethics, or a similar body, this must be secured by 21 November 2024. Documentation of pre-approval must be submitted as part of the project description in the application portal, or sent by email to senior adviser Rune Flaten >

For information about the requirements for the project while at CAS, download PDF of Framework and Requirements >

The selection process

Applications that meet our requirements, standard and format will be subject to international peer review.

The Board of Directors will make the final selection in June 2025. CAS will assist PIs during the planning phase leading up to the groups’ arrival at the Centre in August 2026.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@cas-nor.no >