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Statistics about

Research and development in the higher education sector

The statistics measures resources spent on research and development (R&D) in the higher education sector. It includes R&D expenditure, R&D personnel, and R&D full-time equivalents (FTE) in addition to funding, type of R&D, field of R&D and thematic and technology areas.

Updated: 31 October 2024
Next update: Not yet determined

Selected figures from this statistics

  • Research and development (R&D) in the higher education sector
    Research and development (R&D) in the higher education sector
    20232022 - 2023
    NOK milionChange in fixed prices, per cent
    Type of cost
    Labour costs16 470-5
    Other current costs10 073-5
    Current costs, total26 543-5
    Land and buildings2 5034
    Instruments and equipment530-16
    Capital expenditures, total3 0330
    Total costs29 576-4
    Explanation of symbols
  • Funding of R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million)
    Funding of R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million)
    201320152017201920212023
    Funding, total16 00118 70923 32226 33526 90429 576
    General university funds (GUF)10 88012 99216 69918 12518 43519 361
    Industry660586529618561640
    The Research Council of Norway2 4712 7823 3513 9073 9474 534
    Ministries etc1 0531 1481 2191 5871 4391 831
    Other national sources4986397811 0901 4241 743
    EU3234095386798311 154
    Abroad, not specified117152205329267313
    Explanation of symbols
  • Current R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million), by field of R&D and year
    Current R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million), by field of R&D and year
    201320152017201920212023
    Total15 07017 24121 10023 64524 31826 543
    Humanities and the arts1 5331 5171 7581 9681 9392 284
    Social sciences3 5024 2695 4576 1826 6347 174
    Natural sciences2 6972 9813 6314 3204 2704 269
    Engineering and technology1 8571 8862 5922 8323 0373 219
    Medical and health sciences5 2366 2327 2647 9337 9068 969
    Agricultural sciences245356399410531627
    Explanation of symbols
  • R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million), by institution and type of cost
    R&D expenditure in the higher education sector (NOK million), by institution and type of cost
    2023
    Total costsLabour costsOther current costsInstruments and equipmentLand and buildings
    Total29 57616 47010 0735302 503
    Norwegian University of Science and Technology5 7223 0721 705140805
    University of Oslo5 8362 8341 4731771 351
    University of Bergen2 7241 4761 1653845
    UiT - The Arctic University of Norway1 7711 0026875923
    Norwegian University of Life Sciences1 1475814552486
    Oslo Metropolitan University1 103601470229
    University of Stavanger9125912812515
    Western Norway University of Applied Sciences648363266118
    University of South-Eastern Norway757445286520
    University of Agder6163212551129
    Nord University637345252831
    BI Norwegian Business School46125121000
    Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences49931517248
    NHH Norwegian School of Economics28918010810
    Other higher education institutions1 724897787931
    University Hospitals4 7303 1971 4982510
    Explanation of symbols
  • R&D full-time equivalents in the higher education sector, by type of personnel
    R&D full-time equivalents in the higher education sector, by type of personnel
    20212023Two-year change, per cent
    Total full-time equivalents (FTE)17 44117 409-0.2
    Full-time equivalents (FTE), researchers14 11013 993-0.8
    Full-time equivalents (FTE), technical/administrative personnel3 3323 4162.5
    The table was corrected on 19 May 2023.
    Explanation of symbols
  • Researchers and academic personnel, head count in the higher education sector, by sex, last 5 years
    Researchers and academic personnel, head count in the higher education sector, by sex, last 5 years
    201820192020202120222023
    Both sexes27 84328 82129 60830 71531 11731 134
    Males13 99014 34314 68014 97814 93514 741
    Females13 85314 47814 92815 73716 18216 393
    Female share, per cent505050515253
    Explanation of symbols

About the statistics

The information under «About the statistics» was last updated 3 October 2023.

Research and experimental development (R&D) comprise creative and systematic work undertaken in order to increase the stock of knowledge – including knowledge of humankind, culture and society – and to devise new applications of available knowledge.

It can be difficult to distinguish R&D from other related activities. In the higher education sector, it is particularly challenging to draw the line between education, teaching, and specialized medical treatment, for example at university hospitals. Important criteria that must be met for the activity to be considered R&D are that it contains something new, is creative, has uncertainty related to the result, is systematic and can be transferred and / or reproduced.

Definition of the main variables

Type of R&D

  • Basic research is experimental or theoretical work undertaken primarily to acquire new knowledge of the underlying foundations of phenomena and observable facts, without any particular application or use in view.
  • Applied research is original investigation undertaken in order to acquire new knowledge. It is, however, directed primarily towards a specific, practical aim or objective.
  • Experimental development is systematic work, drawing on knowledge gained from research and practical experience and producing additional knowledge, which is directed to producing new products or processes or to improving existing products or processes.

Sources of funding

  • General university funds (GUF)
  • Business enterprise sector
  • Norwegian Research Council
  • Ministries etc.
    • Ministries
    • County municipalities and municipalities
  • Other national sources
  • EU institutions
  • Other foreign sources

The R&D activity in the higher education sector is divided into the following fields of R&D:

  • Humanities and the arts
  • Social sciences
  • Natural sciences
  • Engineering and technology
  • Medicine and health sciences
  • Agriculture sciences

R&D personnel

All personnel directly involved in research and development (R&D), both researchers and technical and other support staff.

R&D full-time equivalent (FTE)

The work performed by the R&D personnel during one year is converted into full-time equivalents.

Not relevant

Contact

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