About Us
On Monday 2 December 2024, representatives from four UK, and four Norwegian universities joined forces together in London to sign a ‘Letter of Intent’. The partnership is coordinated and led by the University of Bergen and Durham University, for the Norwegian and UK sides respectively.
Four key priority topics have been identified by the new consortium to reinforce these connections, aligning with research and innovation priorities identified by governments on both sides
Our four key priority areas:
- North Sea: energy, green transition, marine research, and other relevant topics – The NSUP partnership opens up exciting opportunities for UK–Norway collaboration on North Sea challenges, from clean energy and the green transition to marine science and other shared priorities.
- Cultural Heritage – The NSUP partnership creates opportunities to work together to advance interdisciplinary research and education on cultural heritage, safeguarding shared histories and promoting innovative, cross-cultural dialogue.
- The Arctic – Through the NSUP partnership, we offer an outstanding platform for interdisciplinary research and education on Arctic issues, bringing together expertise from across disciplines and borders.
- Health – Through our partnerships, we foster high-calibre interdisciplinary research aimed at understanding and addressing critical health challenges on a global scale.
Links between the North of England and Norway have existed over centuries through shipping, trade, and culture. The four topics identified by the new consortium reinforce these connections, aligning with research and innovation priorities identified by governments on both sides.
This NSUP initiative also builds on a joint declaration between the UK and Norway. This was signed in May 2022 to acknowledge the crucial role of science and innovation in underpinning the economies of both countries. As well as outlining bilateral strategic cooperation on defence and security, the declaration covers climate and environment, research and innovation, and education and culture.
On 16 December 2024 during a meeting between UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, both leaders welcomed this new collaboration, marking a significant step forward in strengthening research, innovation, and academic ties between the two countries: PM meeting with Prime Minister Støre of Norway: 16 December 2024 – GOV.UK