The Faroe Islands as a place of research
Several research projects within different fields of research are currently being conducted in the Faroe Islands. Just as Faroese researchers are working both in the Faroe Islands and abroad, researchers from overseas are looking to the Faroe Islands to become part of Faroese research projects.
The Faroe Islands holds an associate membership in the EU, a position which provides Faroese researchers the opportunity of applying for research grants through the Horizon 2020 system. The system further allows Faroese researchers and research projects to become part of a multiplex network of bigger international projects.
The Faroe Islands provides ample opportunities and facilities for research within the fields biotechnology, oceanography, fishing industry, aqua farming, geology and human performance and health.
The Faroe Islands as experimental ground
The Faroe Islands is a small country, which has certain advantages when it comes to research and experiments. With a population of less than 50.000 people, the Faroe Islands can easily be used as productive testing ground for research experiments. Travelling from one end of the country to another is fast and easy. In many ways, the Faroese institutions are less bureaucratic compared to its neighbouring countries, and as such it is easy to come in contact with relevant decision-makers.
Funding of Research and Innovation
Several Faroese institutions provide help, advice and financial support for research and innovation.
The Faroese Research Council (www.gransking.fo) is an institution that provides funding to Faroese research projects. The Research Council also administers the EU system, Horizon 2020. The Research Council can provide funding to PhD projects, as well as advice concerning Faroese partners in H2020 projects.
Research: Research in the Faroe Islands spans over several different themes and subjects. The Faroe Islands has a Research Council (www.gransking.fo), along with associate membership in the EU, which provides the opportunity to apply for research grants from the EU. Fróðskaparsetur Føroya is the university in the Faroe Islands, and the institution’s departments are all engaged in different fields of research. Fiskaaling (The Aquaculture Research Station) is a public limited company, which has research as its main area of interest. iNOVA (www.inova.fo) is a private limited company that also centres on research, and provides researchers with facilities and access to tools such as:
- Mass Spectrometry
- TA.XT Texture Analyser
- Agilent 3100 OFFGEL Fractionator
- Mini-PROTEAN Tetra Cell, GloMax Multi Detection System
- Shimadzu Prominence UFLC, ABI StepOnePlus Real-Time PCR System
- BIO-RAD MyCycler Thermal Cycler G-Storm GS-1
- Illumina NextSeq 500 Sequencing System
- Illumina MiSeq Sequenser
- ABI 3130xl Genetic Analyser
- Agilent 2100 Bioanalyzer system
- Covaris M220 Focused Ultrasonicator
- Lode Quark CPET Gas Analyzer
- Lode Excalibur Sport with Pedal Force Measurement
- 4front Woodway Treadmill
- Weba Swim Ergometer
Vinnuframi (www.vinnuframi.fo) is a foundation with the sole purpose of providing financial support to Faroese businesses and, to a certain extent, Faroese projects. The foundation funds innovations that expand the use of knowledge and enrich Faroese industry and trade. Vinnuframi provides financial support in all branches of industry and trade.
In addition, the foundation further helps SME (small medium enterprise) with applications to EU’s Horizon 2020 system. This is a bottom-up system, referred to as SME Instrument, which further means that the company itself can apply for funds through this particular system. There are no requirements of foreign partnership, or that the project has to include a research component. It is the innovative element that is central to the projects applying for funding through the SME Instrument system.
Fiskaaling
Research in the fishing industry (www.fvg.fo) is a funding system within the Faroese Ministry of Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. The purpose of this particular system is to promote practical and scientific studies and experiments, both of which can further increase the productivity of the Faroese fishing industry with regard to biological, economical and social sustainable development of ocean resources.
NORA (www.nora.fo) is Nordic co-operation, which is an intergovernmental organization under the jurisdiction of the regional policy co-operation program Nordisk Ministerråd.
The NORA co-operation includes Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and costal Norway. NORA can fund industry, research and development plans across the national borders. The only requirement is that the project applying for funding includes at least two of the NORA member states.
Nordic Innovation is a central actor when it comes to the completion of the Nordic partnering programs within trade, business and innovation. The Faroe Islands is a partner and participates on the same footing as the other Scandinavian countries. Nordic Innovation is under the jurisdiction of Nordisk Ministeråd.