Apply for Strategic Funds 2026

The NMH board has allocated 1.5 million NOK for strategic projects in 2026. As in last year’s round, you may apply for various purposes that will help put the strategy Moving music into practice.

What will be prioritized in 2026?

In this year’s allocation, we will prioritise:

• The establishment of, and activities within, R&D groups. Interdisciplinary groups and projects involving artistic/pedagogical development work within instrumental (vocal) performance are particularly encouraged.
• Dissemination and study activities that strengthen collaboration with external actors.
• Projects aimed at strengthening diversity and gender equality.
• Efforts to increase recruitment from underrepresented groups, to study programmes with low application numbers, and of students on “endangered instruments”.

The strategic resources should primarily be used for operational expenses, such as funds for gatherings with external guests, catering, travel, and so on. Secondarily, they should be allocated to hours in employees' work schedules.

Application deadline: Monday 2 March

• Application form (nettskjema.no)
• Download the budget template here (Excel-file on sharepoint.com)

Projects should ideally be completed during 2026. Projects should have a budget range of 30,000-90,000 NOK per year.

Involve Students!

The funds are intended for collaboration within NMH and/or with external partners. All staff can apply, including temporary employees with a contract at NMH for the duration of the project. We strongly encourage students to be involved in the projects.

Project Description and Budget

The project description must provide a short account of the background and aims of the project, as well as a simple budget showing how the funds are intended to be used. The description must show how the project relates to the strategy.

You must also upload brief descriptions / CVs for the project leader and any key partners. Each project leader may submit only one application.

Download the budget template for the Strategic Fund (Excel - Sharepoint - nmh.no)

The Application Must Be Anchored with Your Immediate Manager

Funds are allocated to activities or initiatives that will contribute to the development of the strategic priorities. Ordinary teaching and R\&D activities must be financed within existing frameworks.

When assessing the applications, emphasis is placed on the following criteria:

• The relevance and potential of the activity in light of NMH’s 2025–2035 strategy
• Concrete contributions to strengthening collaboration on R&D (groups)
• Active involvement of students
• Involvement and participation across academic environments internally and externally
• Planned continuation after the project period, e.g. an application for external funding
• Gender balance and diversity in the composition and perspectives of the project

Applications will be evaluated by a committee consisting of academic and administrative members, and the final allocation will be decided by the Principal and Director.

At the end of the project period, everyone who has received funding must submit a short report. Recipients must also be prepared to present the project at NMH’s shared staff events or similar occasions.