The High North Programme

The High North Programme

The Norwegian High North CooperationProgramme in Education

with Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia

and the United States.

Programme Document 2013–2018

1.General

The Norwegian High North Cooperation Programme in Education (hereafter referred to as the High North Programme) is a five- year programme for cooperation between Norwegian institutions of higher education and similar institutions in Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia and the U.S.

The High North Programme contributes to the aims of the Government’s High North Strategy (2011-12).The High North Programme is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and administeredby the Norwegian Centre for International Cooperation in Education (SIU).

The total budget for the High North Programme is NOK 53 million from 2013-2018[1].

Norwegian higher education institutions (HEIs) are invited to apply for funds related to higher education collaboration with institutions in Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the U.S.Projects should be based in academic cooperation and endorsed by the leadership of the institutions. The programme includes activities related to all three levels of higher education (Bachelor, Master and PhD).

Higher education collaboration is the focus and priority of the call.

2.Aims and objectives

The overall goal of the High North Programme is to expand, strengthen and disseminate knowledge about or relevant to the High North.

Much of what we consider to be knowledge relating to the High North concerns topics that are cross-border in nature, such as climate change, the environment, resources, transport/logistics, economy and issues relating to indigenous peoples.

The objectives of the High North Programme are:

• toincrease and strengthen higher education cooperation about matters relevant to the High North,between institutions in Norway and in Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russia, and the U.S. This includes increasing the number of jointly developed courses, programmes and degrees as well as increasing mobility of students and faculty
• to developstrong and sustainable institutional partnerships in higher education and research
• to strengthen the connection between higher education and research collaboration related to High North issues
• to strengthen the links between higher education and the public and private sectors

3.Cooperation, commitment and responsibility

The High North Programme supports projects involving two or more institutions of higher education, minimum one Norwegian institution and one institution from one of the five countries included in the High North Programme. The Norwegian main partner should be the formal applying institution, and if support is granted, will be the contract partner to SIU.

If more than one institution in the partner countries participates, one HEI should be defined as the main partner institution. The cooperation between the participating institutions should be based on the principle of equality and must be characterized by transparency at all levels. The application should be developed jointly by the partner institutions.

A project may also involve cooperation with research institutes and non- governmental organizations, public agencies or private companies; in Norway or in the partner countries.The High North Programme funds should mainly be used for covering higher education institutions’ participation in the project, and for educational activities.

If central to the partnership; the network projects may also include one or more partner(s) from countries outside the main cooperation countries. However the main activities will have to take place in Norway or the partner countries (Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russiaor the U.S.).

Projects should contribute to strengthening the institutional cooperation between the participating institutions, and thus include educational activities beyond cooperation between individual researchers and students.

4.Eligibility

4.1Main partner institution in Norway:

Accredited Norwegian universities, specialised university institutions and university colleges as well as university colleges with individual study programmes accredited by NOKUT are eligible for participation in the High North Programme.

4.2Main partner institution outside Norway:

The main partner in the project must be a recognised/accredited higher education institutions – private and public – in Canada, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Russiaand the U.S. The main partner institution should provide education relevant to the project, and at a level comparable to what is offered at thepartner institution in Norway.

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4.3Eligible areas of support

The Programme supports projects contributing to increased knowledge about or relevant to the High North. Applications within all academic fields and disciplines are welcome, as well as multidisciplinary projects and professional studies.The High North is defined as the circumpolar arctic, including the Barents region.

5.Project categories and financial frames

Applications in the following categories will be considered for support:

• Long-term cooperation projects: between one or more institutions of higher education in the main cooperation countries and one or more institutions of higher education in Norway. The annual allocation per project will be up to NOK 500000 (maximum NOK 2000000 in total).
  

• Limited cooperation activities: Support may be given to the development of relations and cooperation between higher education institutions in Norway and the main cooperation countries through limited joint activities, such as workshops, seminars and study visits. Such activities may, but do not have to, aim for further development into a long-term collaborative project.Total allocation per project will be up to NOK 300000 per project.
  
• Support for preparatory visits: Support may be given for preparatory visits in order to develop an application with a partner in Japan or the Republic of Korea. Total allocation per preparatory visit will be up to NOK 70000.

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The program aims to announce calls for applications for long term projects in 2013 and 2014 and limited cooperation in 2014[2].

6.Measures and activities:

Projects are encouraged to be creative in exploring measures and activities that will contribute to the aims of the High North Programme. Measures and activities funded through the programme include, but are not limited to:

6.1 Development of study courses/programmes/degrees

Development and implementation of new courses (intensive or regular), study programmes and degrees are supported by the High North Programme. The establishment of joint programmes is encouraged. The courses must include students and teachers from both the Norwegian and the main partner outside Norway. The courses should preferably give ECTS points and be recognised as part of the students’ degree.

6.2Seminars and workshops

Joint seminars and workshops and similar activities involving both researchers and students from participating institutions are supported by the High North Programme.

6.3 Joint teaching and supervision

Guest lecturing and joint supervision of students at all levels.

6.4Mobility of students and staff

Mobility of students and staff is supported. Mobility of students may include internships or work practice.

6.5Publication and dissemination

Publication and dissemination of results from the projects are supported by the High North programme. Publication activities include publications of teaching materials, journal articles, etc.

6.6 Administration

The High North Programme may cover administrative overhead of seven per cent of the sub-total

Budget. Salary is not compensated.

7.Selection criteria

Projects will be selected based on the priorities of the programme and the quality of the applications. The activities of the proposed project must contribute to the aims of the programme and will be assessed based on how they respond to the following criteria:

• Relevance
• Quality of the project design and implementation
• Quality of the project team and the cooperation arrangements
• Impact

More details will be announced in the various calls for applications.

8.Application procedures

Interested institutions should submit applications to SIU, jointly prepared by the collaborating institutions. All proposals must include objectives, activities, work plans, budget requirements and reflections on the sustainability and risk factors of the project/cooperation.

The application must be submitted online in SIU's online system for applications and reporting, Espresso. The application form and guidelines will be available at the time of the call for proposals. Deadlines will be announced in the call.

9.Selection procedures

All proposals submitted within the deadline for applications will be processed as follows:

1. Document control, eligibility check and formal verification of applications

2. Assessment of each application by external expertsfor projects exceeding NOK 300000

3. SIU internal assessment of applications

4. Final selection of applications by the allocation committee

The selection of projects will be based on the selection criteria presented in part 7. Thethematic and geographic composition of the total High NorthProgrammeportfolio will be taken intoaccount.

Complaints will be handled according to SIU’s Complaint Regulations, which are found at

10.Reporting

Institutions that are granted support from the High North Programme are jointly responsible for the implementation and monitoring of activities and projects. Annual progress reports and a final report should be submitted to SIU using the online reporting facility Espresso. SIU is responsible for reporting to the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

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[1]Subject to continued funding by the Norwegian Parliament.

[2]Subject to continued funding by the Norwegian Parliament.