FRIPRO — Free Investigator-Driven Research

FRIPRO — Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists

Funds experienced Norwegian researchers with flagship support for broad, high-impact research and collaboration.

FRIPRO Researcher Project for Experienced Scientists is the single largest FRIPRO subcall by total budget, with NOK 750,000,000 allocated — nearly half the entire FRIPRO programme's combined budget of NOK 1.67 billion. It funds investigator-initiated, bottom-up research projects across all scientific disciplines, led by experienced researchers at approved Norwegian research organisations. Awards range from NOK 4,000,000 to NOK 12,000,000 per project over 36 to 96 months, providing flexibility for both shorter focused studies and longer-horizon research programmes. The call is open-ended and accepts applications on a rolling basis throughout the year. Companies are excluded from participating even as partners; only approved Norwegian research organisations may apply or host the project.

Eligibility centres on the project manager being an experienced researcher — a career-stage definition detailed in the full call text — rather than an early-career scientist. The same FRIPRO-wide rules apply: a score of six or seven on every assessment criterion is required for funding consideration, and a one-year waiting period governs successive submission attempts by the same project manager. The 2024 FRIPRO success rate across all subcalls was 21 percent, reflecting sustained demand relative to available funding. There are no sector or thematic restrictions, and the call explicitly welcomes proposals from any scientific domain.

Winning applications present a scientific case of clear originality and excellence, with a research plan proportionate to the requested budget and duration. Experienced-scientist applications are expected to demonstrate independent scientific leadership and often include international collaborations or data-sharing arrangements. Budget documentation must adhere to Research Council of Norway cost eligibility guidelines, and the applicant's host institution must formally endorse and submit the application. Prospective applicants should review the full call text and budget templates at forskningsradet.no and engage their institutional grants office well before submitting.