Research funds accounts
Each employee is responsible for ensuring that their spending does not exceed the allocated amount. Overspending of funds during the current period will result in a reduction of funds in the next period, that corresponds to the amount overspent.
Research administration can assist by supplying accounting reports as needed. All travel and reimbursement claims should be submitted promptly after the expenses are incurred. Only the expenses that are registered by the end of November/beginning of December will be included in the current year's account. Expenses registered later than this will be included in the account for the following year.
Financial framework for discretionary research funds
Permanent academic staff
Permanent staff manage have discretionary funds in the amount of NOK 120.000 at their disposal during a four-year period (2024 to 2027).
Postdoctoral fellows and doctoral research fellows
Postdoctoral fellows and doctoral research fellows at ISS have discretionary research funds in the amount of NOK 100.000 at their disposal during their employment period. Most project staff have (personal) discretionary research funds in their project budgets and most expenses must therefore be registered with the project's sub-project number. Only expenses that can't be charged to the project's operating costs will be covered by the Department's research funds. If you are unsure about where to charge an expense, please contact your research advisor. Postdoctoral fellows and doctoral research fellows are responsible for the distribution of funds during their appointment/project period.
Emeriti
Emeriti are not entitled to discretionary research funds.
Research mobility: Particularly extensive fieldwork and/or overseas stays
All employees can also apply for additional support for particularly extensive fieldwork and/or stays abroad. It is a prerequisite that support is applied for also from other sources and the application must include a budget and an explanation of other funding sources, including own discretionary research funds.
Applications are assessed on an ongoing basis. If there is a need for prioritization among applicants, applicants without project funds or other funding opportunities will be given priority.
The maximum expansion of discretionary research funds is NOK 50.000.
Contact person: Administrative head of department
Use of discretionary research funds
Discretionary research funds can be used for
Discretionary research funds may be used for all research-related purposes, including but not limited to:
- Professional travel
In keeping with the guidelines for sustainability at ISS, it should always be considered whether digital participation can be an alternative to physical attendance.
Professional travel typically refers to travel to conferences, courses, workshops and academic meetings that are not held in Oslo. These are classified as business trips (tjenestereiser) for travel reimbursement purposes. Data collection and field work are considered professional travel and can be paid for with discretionary research funds, however these trips are NOT classified as business trips for travel reimbursement purposes. More information regarding travel reimbursement. - Scientific assistance/research support
For example help with the completion of (editing, layout, reference lists, etc.) of books and notes, etc., as well as work on data collection and registration. Routine for hiring a research assistant. - Proofreading and translations
Please consider using GPT UiO or other digital tools. - Academic literature
Books related to the employee's research area. - Courses
For example, language courses, professional courses, computer courses - Subscriptions to academic journals
- Publishing costs
- Fees for membership in academic organisations
- Hosting/restaurant visits
Only in exceptional cases shall discretionary research funds be used for hosting/restaurant visits, and then only in connection with guest visits/network-building/professional contexts. Hosting shall be ordered through the Purchasing Section and in accordance with the Guidelines for Hosting and Representation at the UiO. - Certain types of IT-equipment
Contact the administrative head of department with a justification for the purchase. Approved equipment will be purchased by the local IT department. All equipment must at all times have UiO's current operating setup. - Software outside of UiO's software agreements
Discretionary research funds CANNOT be used for
- Office supplies - check the office supply storage (HH 283B). If you don't find what you need there it can by ordered from UiO's supplier.
- Mobile phone
- Mobile phone or broadband subscription plans
- Furniture or lighting
- Scanner/multi-function printer
- Camera, videocamera
Use of discretionary research funds for salary/honorarium and invoiced purchases
- All activities that involve pay/remuneration to individual persons shall be agreed with the administrative head of department /research administration to ensure that the person in question receives an employment contract BEFORE the work commences.
- Invoices for services provided by individuals/companies will only be processed by the UiO's procurement system.