NSUP Research Seed Fund Awards Eight New International Research Collaborations

NSUP Research Seed Fund Awards Eight New International Research Collaborations| 26 June 2026

The North Sea University Partnership (NSUP) is delighted to announce the successful projects funded through the inaugural NSUP Research Seed Fund, supporting eight new international research collaborations across the partnership.

The call attracted a strong number of high-quality applications from researchers across the NSUP network. Following a highly competitive assessment process involving senior academic representatives from participating institutions, eight projects have been selected for funding.

The successful projects bring together researchers from universities across the United Kingdom and Norway, alongside external partners including SINTEF and the University of Pavia. Together, the projects address some of the most pressing challenges facing the North Sea region and beyond, including energy security, climate change, sustainable resource management, defence, ocean governance, and emerging marine industries.

The funded projects include:

Towards a North Sea Integrated Energy Systems Resilience Accelerator (NESRA), bringing together researchers from Newcastle University, NTNU and the University of Oslo to strengthen the resilience of future energy systems.
Turning Strategic Defence into Strategic Development, a collaboration between Newcastle University, NTNU and SINTEF examining new models for defence industry integration and renewal between Norway and the United Kingdom.
Tracks in the Seabed, an interdisciplinary project involving Durham University, UiT, Newcastle University, the University of Oslo and NTNU, exploring cultural and legal dimensions of ocean governance in Norwegian and British marine frontiers.
North Sea 2040: From Energy System Dream to Reality, bringing together researchers from the University of Bergen, Newcastle University, Durham University and NTNU to investigate pathways towards future North Sea energy systems.
SHIELD H2 (Safe Hydrogen Infrastructure for the European North Sea), a collaboration between UiT, the University of Leeds and the University of Bergen focused on safe hydrogen infrastructure.
Integrating High-Resolution Sedimentary Architecture and Fault Dynamics, a project involving the University of Leeds, the University of Oslo and the University of Pavia, supporting secure CO₂ storage in the North Sea.
Coastal Region Circular Options for Soil & Water Management (CoSoW), a collaboration between Durham University and UiT addressing sustainable management of soil and water resources in coastal regions.
NSUP Seaweed Network, led by the University of York and NTNU in partnership with SINTEF, exploring opportunities in marine biotechnology and sustainable seaweed innovation.

Collectively, the projects demonstrate the breadth of expertise and shared research strengths across the NSUP network. They will support new collaborations, facilitate knowledge exchange, and provide foundations for future international research partnerships and external funding opportunities.

The NSUP Research Seed Fund was established to stimulate innovative, interdisciplinary research and strengthen collaboration between partner institutions. The successful projects reflect the partnership’s commitment to addressing major societal challenges through international cooperation and academic excellence.

The North Sea University Partnership congratulates all successful applicants and looks forward to following the progress and impact of these exciting collaborations over the coming months and years.

_{Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash}