The Norwegian research policy presently features three structural priority areas. Firstly, internationalisation is to be a general perspective in research policy, and international participation will be given weight when channelling resources to research. Secondly, pure research will continue to be a main priority, but more weight than before will be given to quality, rather than capacity expansion. Research within mathematics, natural sciences and technology will be strengthened. Thirdly, priority is to be given to research-based innovation. In addition, four thematic priority areas have been identified: energy and environment, food, the seas and health. It is also a political priority to increase investment in the technological fields of information and communication technology (ICT), biotechnology and materials technology and nanotechnology.
The goals of the national research policy are determined by the Storting and the Government, who are also responsible for defining the main priorities and overall financial frameworks. The Ministry of Education and Research has administrative responsibility for coordinating research policy, and administers around half of all public research funds. Where research is organised at sector level, each ministry is partly responsible for funding research within its sphere of responsibility. The Ministry of Trade and Industry is the second-largest contributor to the research sector.
The Research Council of Norway has primary responsibility for developing and implementing national research strategy, and for identifying priority areas for pure and applied research. Approximately one-third of all public allocations to research are channelled through the Research Council, which also serves as an advisory body to the Government on all research-related matters.
Research activities in Norway are carried out by universities and university colleges, public and private research institutions, and in the industrial sector.
By the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research