The Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) supports excellent, fundamental and curiosity-driven research.
CAS’ primary objective is to provide its fellows with uninterrupted time to work on problems that do not have to yield short-term returns.
Each year, CAS hosts three research groups working on projects within and across the fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.
All faculty members who hold permanent research positions at CAS’ partner institutions in Norway are eligible to submit a project proposal and to assemble their international dream team of prominent researchers.
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.
The Centre accepts applications each year. All applicants must register as users on UNIFOR.
Read more about CAS at the Centre’s website.
Announcement
CAS project applications
Call for Applications for CAS Research Grant 2025/2026
The Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) invites researchers to pursue excellent, fundamental, curiosity-driven research in Oslo during the 2025/2026 academic year. Assemble your international dream team of prominent researchers and apply for a research stay at CAS.
Each year, we host three research groups working 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 must take place either before the stay at CAS or at another suitable place during the stay.
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 applicants will function as principal investigator (PI) and will assemble and lead their 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. The PIs can 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.
CAS is modelled to further daily intellectual dialogue. The agreements between the Centre and our partner institutions guarantee that PIs and group members employed in tenured academic positions at these institutions will be granted sabbatical leave with full salary during their stay at CAS.
Scholars not employed by one of the Centre’s partner institutions are normally expected to use their sabbatical leave during their stay at CAS. For researchers for whom this is not a possibility, a portion of the project’s budget may be used to cover teaching replacement costs.
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. Fellows are also expected to work full-time on topics relevant to the project while in residence at CAS.
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.
- 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).
- Help with finding kindergartens or schools (for visiting researchers bringing their children).
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 associated with CAS’ partner institutions and who have no 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 and their accompanying family members.
- Note: CAS only covers economy class tickets.
- Visits from prominent scholars for internal seminars.
- Travel expenses for family members visiting while the fellow is in residence at the Centre.
- Childcare and school expenses for visiting researchers bringing their children.
- Research assistance for conferences and seminars, limited to a maximum of two months’ work.
- 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 (as long as the Fellow for tax purposes is to be regarded as a commuter). The current monthly rates are:
- 1 bedroom: NOK 22,000
- 2 bedrooms: NOK 26,000
- 3 bedrooms: NOK 30,000
PIs who have their residence more than 40 km from CAS may apply for commuter 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 2025/2026 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 2023.
All documents must be written in English and submitted as PDF files.
Successful applicants will:
- Submit a proposal that clearly illustrates the project's potential as a contribution to excellent, fundamental research.
- Describe 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 (click here) confirming their participation.
- Note: The following CV template must be used. Download the template here >
- 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 (click here)for up to four core members whom you intend to invite to long-term stays at CAS.
- Note: Please do not submit CVs for any other group members whom you intend to invite to CAS.
- 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 work plan for the year at CAS.
- An ethical self-assessment (approximately 200 words).
- Note: Please read CAS’ guidelines for ethics in research >
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 2023. Documentation of pre-approval must be submitted as part of the project description in the application portal, or sent by email to Rune Flaten, rune.flaten@cas-nor.no.
For information about the requirements for the project while at CAS, see ‘Framework and Requirements for the Project.’
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 2024. CAS will assist PIs during the planning phase leading up to the groups’ arrival at the Centre in August 2025.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at admin@cas-nor.no.
CAS has recently revised its applications process and its application form in UNIFOR’s electronic application system. If something is unclear or missing, please let us know.
Announcement
Call for Applications - Young CAS Grant
The Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) in Oslo is currently accepting applications for the Young CAS Grant for the period of August 2024 to June 2026.
Application deadline: 9 December 2023
The Young CAS Grant is a collaborative initiative between CAS, the Young Academy of Norway (AYF) and The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (DNVA). The programme is designed to empower and support young researchers in their pursuit of project development and network expansion through residential fellowships. By providing financial support and fostering research endeavours, Young CAS Principal Investigators (PIs) gain valuable experience as research leaders. The PIs have the opportunity to invite colleagues from around the world to participate in collaborative, independent fundamental research at CAS. The support includes funding, office spaces, and administrative support.
CAS will select two Young CAS projects for the period of August 2024 to June 2026. The applicant will serve as the PI of the project.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Young CAS Grant, applicants must:
- Have completed a PhD and be below the age of 40 at the application deadline. Extensions will be granted for leaves of absence, compulsory military or civilian service, and sick leave. There are no age limits for other project participants.
- Maintain a full-time academic position* at one of our partner institutions throughout the entire period. The position does not have to be permanent, and you may change affiliation between partner institutions.
- While project leadership experience is preferred, it is not mandatory.
*An academic position pertains research and/or teaching at the college or university level.
Are you currently employed in a temporary position?
Applicants in temporary positions are also eligible to apply for the Young CAS Grant. Even if your employment circumstances for the second year of the program are uncertain, you can still apply. However, funding for the second year necessitates employment at one of our partner institutions when the second year begins. In this scenario, a letter of support from your new institution’s head of section is required.
Project Focus
Young CAS Grant projects should be blue-sky and curiosity-driven, challenge given truths and demonstrate the potential to advance the research frontier of the relevant field(s). Researchers from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. However, please note that laboratory-based research cannot be conducted at CAS. Projects involving laboratory work, fieldwork, or data collection are welcomed if they aim to develop the theoretical aspects of the research.
Successful applications should clearly outline how the Young CAS Grant, through its gatherings and networking opportunities, will contribute to achieving project’s objectives and enhancing the applicant’s career.
What does CAS offer?
- Assistance in planning and organising the three workshops in year one.
- Five well-equipped office spaces for the research stay at CAS during the second year.
- Well-equipped seminar rooms with video conferencing equipment. CAS is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and elevators.
- IT and library services during the research stay.
- Pleasant accommodations within walking distance of the Centre for researchers not based in the Oslo area.
Two-year programme
Young CAS PIs will receive a grant of up to NOK 750,000 over two years, distributed as follows:
First year: Organise three intensive workshops with a budget of up to NOK 250,000
Second year: Convene a core group at CAS for a two-month research stay, with a budget of up to NOK 500,000.
CAS will provide administrative support to the PI throughout the two years.
For a comprehensive breakdown of budget inclusions, please refer to the “What can the funding cover?” section below.
Detailed two-year programme
The programme is structured as follows:
Year 1
- The first workhop, lasting three to five days, will take place in the autumn semester of 2024 at CAS’ premises.
- The second workshop, lasting three to five days, is ideally held at the PI’s home institution sometime in between workshop #1 and #3.
The third and final workshop in spring 2025 will involve a three to five-day return to CAS, with the possibility of hosting a dinner at The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters (DNVA).
Year 2
The research stay in year 2 is designed to resemble a CAS Research Grant project. The Young CAS PIs gather a core group of collaborators at CAS for two-month period, fostering concentrated work on the research project.
The core group, which includes four to five participants (including the PI), should preferably consist of scholars who participated in the first year’s gatherings.
Each participant should stay for a minimum of four weeks, which may be split into two periods (please note that stays shorter than one month increase accommodation costs). The PI must be present to lead the group during the entire two-month period.
What can the funding cover?
The grant covers the following expenses:
- Travel and accommodation for project workshops and the two-month research stay at CAS. As a Young CAS PI based outside of the Oslo area, your accommodation expenses will be covered by CAS. Therefore, this cost does not need to be included in the project budget. CAS will arrange apartments for participants not residing in the Oslo area and staying for longer than 10 days. The current monthly rates are:
1 bedroom: NOK 22,000
2 bedrooms: NOK 26,000
3 bedrooms: NOK 30,000
Researchers with shorter stays will be accommodated in hotels, which currently cost NOK 1600/night for a single room.
- CAS will cover the cost of venues for the workshops, except for the second workshop held at the PI’s home institution. CAS will also provide office spaces and seminar rooms for the research stay in year 2. Thus, these costs should not be included in your budget draft.
- Food expenses:
- Daily lunches for the project participants during workshops and the research stay.
- Occasional dinner outings, adhering to CAS’ fixed rated for restaurant outings.
- Participants staying in a hotel for shorter periods can have their dinner expenses covered, but the amount must be agreed upon in advance. CAS does not provide a per diem allowance. Moreover, only food meals purchased in restaurants can be reimbursed, as we cannot refund grocery shopping. - Buyouts for documentable teaching replacements costs necessitated by participants’ stays at CAS in the second year. The budget must include estimated costs for buyouts, including the name of the scholar, and the period for the buyout. As the PI, you will keep your salary from your home institution and will, therefore, not require any buyout. Please note that overhead costs are not covered by the grant.
Support for researchers with families:
Recognizing the challenges of a 2-month stay for researchers with families, CAS will cover housing expenses for PIs with families. For other participants, housing expenses will be covered by the project budget, and their family members are welcome if the budget allows. Childcare support can also be provided, and CAS can assist in exploring options if and when the need arises.
The application must include:
- A description (3-4 pages) of the research project, including clear hypotheses/research questions and objectives. The project will be evaluated by a panel of generalists and must be written so that researchers from other subject areas can assess it. The focus should be on what will be accomplished during the fellowship. If you or members of your research group already serve as PIs of other projects with external funding, explain how these can complement the Young CAS project, how the different projects will be coordinated, and how CAS funding would provide added value.
- A plan (1 page) for implementing the work during the project period. The plan should show how you will organize and lead the project to achieve its objectives, and how the workshops and research stay will contribute to their realization. The plan should also explain how the stay will benefit your professional development and research. Neither the workshops nor the research stay should be used to write applications. However, it will be considered an advantage if the project can be developed with the aim of applying for funding from other research funding bodies such as the Research Council of Norway and Horizon Europe.
- A list of 3-5 researchers who will belong to the ‘core group’. The list should include the participants’ academic titles and institutional affiliations. However, a letter of intent from the participants is not necessary.
- A budget draft following the above guidelines. The budget draft must include information about the number of participants and an overview of the costs associated with travel, accommodations, and meals for each gathering in year 1 and the research stay in year 2. The potential buyouts during the research stay must also be included. Please provide necessary explanations of the expenses. Download budget draft template here >
- A brief ethical self-assessment (no more than half a page) certifying that you are familiar with the relevant ethical guidelines. Please read our guidelines for ethics in research >
- A CV including a publication list. The CV should not exceed four pages. Download template here >
- A letter of support* for the period of January 2024 to December 2025 from the head of section at your home institution. As noted above, you can still apply even if you do not know where you will be employed during the second year of the programme. The letter of support shall serve as a formal confirmation that: 1) You will keep your salary and be exempt from other obligations during the periods of absence due to your Young CAS Grant activities and 2) Your home institution will host the second gathering during the first year.
If the research 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 obtained before the start of the project. In the application, you must confirm that the necessary pre-approval will be obtained.
How to apply?
The application must be submitted electronically in UNIFOR’s electronic application system >
All documents should be written in English and saved and uploaded as PDF files. Required templates are available on the application portal.
The applications should be submitted by 00:00 on the specified date. Late submissions cannot be processed as the UNIFOR system closes after the deadline.
The selection process
A selection committee, consisting of representatives from CAS, the board of directors, and the Young Academy of Norway (AYF), will present a shortlist to the CAS board of directors, which will ultimately select the two Young CAS Grants in January/February 2024.
The selection is based on scientific quality, the applicant’s merits and the project’s alignment with CAS’ mission and criteria in this call.
Applications that do not meet the formal criteria will be rejected.
Inquiries can be directed to adviser Julie Ellinor Frølich Dalseth >