Evaluation of the Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF) Funding Scheme

Groundbreaking research has a tremendous effect on society, both in Norway and the rest of the world. The Norwegian Centres of Excellence (SFF) scheme has been an important contributor to such effects by providing consistent, significant and long-term support of curiosity-driven research at the highest level, which has led to great achievements. The SFF programme was initiated in 2000, and in 2019, the Research Council of Norway (RCN) invited an international Evaluation Committee (EC) to assess it. The conclusion of this evaluation is that the SFF programme has been a great success for Norway. The evaluation committee recommends in the strongest terms that it be continued as the main mechanism to support the most innovative and risky research in Norway