Five of the Research Council's key programmes in health science research have been revamped as of this year. The work programmes have been revised and the initial funding announcements for the new programme period have been published.
The following programmes have received a makeover: the Research Programme on Public Health (FOLKEHELSE), the Research Programme on Environmental Exposures and Health Outcomes (MILPAAHEL), the Research Programme on Mental Health (PSYKISKHELSE), the Research Programme on Clinical Research (KLINISKFORSKNING), and the Research Programme on Health and Care Services (HELSEOMSORG). All have been extended for a new programme period from 2011 to 2015.
The overall budget framework for the programmes is approximately NOK 180 million for 2011. The deadline for submission of grant applications under all five programmes is 8 June 2011.
Research Programme on Public Health (FOLKEHELSE)
Research activities during this programme period will mainly revolve around three thematic priority areas: health behaviour, life phases and prevention related to mental health. Relevant research topics under the first thematic area include physical activity, diet, tobacco use and accident-related behaviour, while research on life phases may address topics such as conditions for children and adolescents, education and income related to health. Social inequalities in health will be a key focus across all the thematic areas.
Research Programme on Environmental Exposures and Health Outcomes (MILPAAHEL)
Research activities during this programme period will focus on:
- substances that are hazardous to human health and the environment;
- food and water as routes of uptake of harmful substances;
- exposure to and health outcomes of nanoparticles;
- the indoor environment;
- biological mechanisms of exposure to air pollution;
- health problems caused by noise;
- the relationship between exposure to radiation and health outcomes;
- effective mechanisms involved in environmental exposures.
Research Programme on Mental Health (PSYKISKHELSE)
The primary objective of the programme is to generate knowledge that is relevant to promoting the mental health of the population. Research activities will be concentrated in specific thematic priority areas that encompass research on mental health in relation to children and adolescents and immigration, as well as research on treatment of mental health disorders, including research on comorbid substance abuse and mental health disorders. In each of these areas, it will be important to promote a cross-disciplinary approach and national and international cooperation. The programme's portfolio will include projects which give special consideration to gender perspectives and projects which employ a user perspective with emphasis on patients' and relatives' own knowledge and experience.
Research Programme on Clinical Research (KLINISKFORSKNING)
The programme gives greatest priority to projects involving multiregional, national and international clinical trials, with the exception of in the dental health services and the general practice and the primary health care services, where priority will also be given to smaller-scale studies that do not neccessarily have a multiregional, national or international aspect. No thematic limitations have been stipulated in the field of clinical research. All projects involving controlled trials on patients of preventive measures, diagnostic methods, and treatment and rehabilitation measures are of relevance, although emphasis will be placed on studies of diseases and disorders that pose considerable challenges to society in human or economic terms.
Research Programme on Health and Care Services (HELSEOMSORG)
A key task of the programme is to study how the municipal health and care services can be strengthened in cooperation with patients' family members, non-governmental organisations, local communities and the specialist health care services. Research findings will help to improve the organisation and equitable distribution of health and care services and increase the active participation of users, staff and family members, thereby enhancing the security and welfare of the population. The programme also continues the efforts in health services research, including health economics, and the focus on care services begun during the previous programme period.
Programminformationen und Ausschreibungen:
