The result of the announcement of the funds the University of Oslo (UiO) has earmarked for early-phase support for innovation projects is ready.
11 projects receive up to NOK 400,000 each for the test and further development phase, while 12 projects receive NOK 50,000 each for the idea and concept phase. UiO received in total 39 applications.
As usual most projects are within life sciences and health, with projects related to, among other things, the treatment of various types of cancer and neurological diseases; heart and bile diseases, and drug-resistant fungi. In addition, projects related to waste, battery technology, and language have received support, among others.
Researchers from five faculties – Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Medicine, Educational Sciences, Social Sciences and Dentistry – have been awarded funding.
See the overview of projects that have been granted funding at the bottom of the article.
– It is with great pleasure that I congratulate all the researchers who have been awarded innovation funding from the University of Oslo. The many strong applications and grants are proof of the excellent work being carried out at UiO and of our ambitions to promote socially beneficial solutions through research and innovation, says Jens Petter Berg, Vice-Rector for life science and health research at UiO.
He adds that it is encouraging to see that the projects receiving support span across many different fields, from life sciences and health to technology and social sciences. This demonstrates the breadth and depth of expertise at UiO, as well as how our research can contribute genuine value and benefit to many different parts of society.
The application process has been managed by the internal innovation unit at UiO, the UiO Growth House.
– We see that more experienced researchers have discovered the benefit of applying for the smallest amount of funding to get started with the work of exploring the innovation potential in their projects. Through a relatively small amount of economic support and guidance from the UiO Growth House, they can get a good start on the innovation process, says senior innovation adviser Ivar Bergland, who is project leader for the application process.
Director in the UiO Growth House Hilde Nebb adds that the Growth House sees this as a sign that working on innovation culture pays off and reaches broadly.
All applicants are now offered follow-up from the UiO Growth House in the form of guidance that can help them further with the innovation idea.
– I hope that this funding will help further strengthening our innovation culture and encourage collaboration among researchers across disciplines. I urge all project leaders to take advantage of the advisory services offered by the UiO Growth House. Their expertise can be crucial in the realization of ideas, says vice-rector Berg.
The projects that have been granted support in 2025
Sorted alphabetically by the first name of the project leader.
Abbreviations
- MED – The Faculty of Medicine
- MN – The Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
- OD – The Faculty of Dentistry
- SV – The Faculty of Social Sciences
- UV – The Faculty of Educational Sciences
The test and further development phase – 11 projects up to NOK 400,000 each
Title of project, project leader, Faculty, Department/Centre
- Preclinical development and in vivo validation of a novel protein synthesis inhibitor
Carmen Herrera, MN, Department of Biosciences - BIO-PFAS: Modular non GMO bacterial treatment for PFAS loaded waste
Eric de Muinck, MN, Department of Pharmacy - Treating immune-mediated bile duct disease in vitro
Henry Hoyle, MED, Institute of Clinical Medicine - Light-activated nanoparticles for targeting small RNAs to specific neuron populations – a novel therapy for neurodegenerative diseases
Joel Glover, MED, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences - Development of drugs that overcome antifungal drug resistance
Jorrit Enserink, MN, Department of Biosciences - New anticancer drugs
Nikolina Sekulic, MED, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences - A Novel Pump for HFpEF Therapy
Ole Jakob Elle, MN, Department of informatics - Computational Lead Optimization of CDK12/13 Inhibitors
Osman Gani, MN, Department of Pharmacy - Design and Integration of MOF-Based Membranes with Enhanced Conductivity and Durability
Petra ?gota Szilágyi, MN, Department of Chemistry - Constructing Anti-Perovskite Analogue for Cathode InnovaTIon (CAPACITI)
Tian Dai, MN, Department of Chemistry - A+ Words
Tone Hermansen, SV, Department of Psychology
The idea and concept phase – 12 projects of NOK 50,000 each
Title of project, project leader, Faculty, Department/Centre
- prepAIr: Presentation and Response Engine for PhD defenses with AIbased Role-play
Anders Verket, OD, Institute of Clinical Dentistry - Developing an AI Tool to Recognize Normal Heart Sounds in Preschoolers
Anja Br?nd, MED, Institute of Health and Society - Serum biomarkers to assess response to chemotherapy in pancreatic cancer
Caroline Sophie Verbeke, MED, Institute of Clinical Medicine, - Iron binding as blocker of cellular P-uptake and growth
Dag Hessen, MN, Department of Biosciences - Developing a new therapeutic avenue for dementia
Hua Hu, MED, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences - Probabilistic Plume Modeling for Secure Norwegian CO? Storage
Iman Oraki Kohshour, MN, Department of Geosciences - School language
- Junyi Yang, UV, Department of Special Needs Education
- realTSS – Real Time Tracking Sample System from Laboratory to Publication
Karen Utheim, MED, Institute of Clinical Medicine - Targeting the mineralocorticoid receptor to restore adipocyte function in lipodystrophies
Philippe Collas, MED, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences - immUnity
Puneet Rawat, MED, Institutt for Institute of Clinical Medicine - A New Method for Neuroprotection and Alzheimer Therapy
Rafal Ciosk, MN, Department of Biosciences - lueStroll: A Scientifically-Informed Brain Health Improvement through Movement and Healthy Environments
Vegard Skirbekk, SV, Department of Psychology