Young CAS Grant 2027 to 2029

The Young CAS Grant 2027 to 2029 is an international research opportunity for early career researchers who want to lead an ambitious, interdisciplinary research project while developing their academic leadership experience and international research networks. The programme is offered by the Centre for Advanced Study at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters in collaboration with the Young Academy of Norway.

The Young CAS Grant is designed for researchers who have completed a PhD and are building their research careers. Successful applicants become Principal Investigators of their own projects and assemble an international team of researchers to work together through workshops and a residential research period at the Centre for Advanced Study in Oslo, Norway.

For the 2027 to 2029 programme period, CAS will select two Young CAS projects. Each selected project will receive funding of up to NOK 750,000 over two years. The grant supports three intensive workshops and a two month research stay at CAS, providing researchers with time, facilities and an international environment for developing research at the frontier of their fields.

About the Young CAS Grant

The Young CAS Grant gives early career researchers the opportunity to move beyond their individual research projects and take responsibility for leading an international research group. Applicants are expected to identify a research question or set of hypotheses that can challenge established assumptions and contribute to advancing knowledge in their field.

The programme combines workshops, residential research and international collaboration. During the first year, the Principal Investigator will organise two workshops, one at CAS and one at their home institution. During the second year, the research group will spend two months at CAS for concentrated research activity, followed by a final workshop at CAS.

Researchers can come from any discipline. Laboratory based research cannot be conducted at CAS, although projects involving laboratory work, fieldwork or data collection may be considered when the proposed work develops theoretical aspects of the research.

Grant Benefits

• Funding of up to NOK 750,000 per project over two years

• Up to NOK 250,000 for three intensive workshops

• Up to NOK 500,000 for the two month research stay

• Travel and accommodation support

• Food expenses associated with gatherings and the research stay

• Documentable teaching replacement costs for fellows

• Three offices with four equipped workspaces during the research stay

• Access to seminar rooms with video conferencing facilities

• IT and library services

• Accommodation within walking distance of CAS for researchers not based in the Oslo area

• Assistance with planning and organising the three workshops

• Opportunities to build international research networks

• Experience leading an international research team

• Paid leave arrangements through eligible partner institutions during CAS activities

Programme Structure

Year One: August 2027 to June 2028

The Principal Investigator will organise two workshops. One workshop will take place at CAS, while the second will be held at the applicant’s home institution. The home institution workshop is intended to maintain connections with local research activities and provide wider benefits to the applicant’s research community.

Year Two: August 2028 to June 2029

The research group will gather at CAS for a two month research stay focused on intensive collaborative research. The third and final workshop will also be held at CAS, with the possibility of hosting one day and dinner at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.

The Principal Investigator must be present throughout the entire two month research stay and should lead the group during the period.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must have completed a PhD

• Applicants must be below 40 years of age on the application deadline

• Statutory leave, compulsory military or civilian service, and qualifying periods of continuous sick leave may result in age extensions

• Applicants must hold a full time academic position at one of CAS’s Norwegian partner institutions at the application deadline and throughout the project period

• The position does not have to be permanent

• Applicants in temporary positions may apply if their contract covers at least the first year of the programme

• Applicants must obtain support from the head of their department or section

• Project leadership experience is preferred but is not mandatory

• Researchers from all academic disciplines are encouraged to apply

• The proposed research must align with CAS’s mission of excellent, curiosity driven basic research

• Laboratory research cannot be conducted at CAS

Research Areas

Applicants should demonstrate:

• Clear hypotheses or research questions

• Strong theoretical or conceptual foundations

• Appropriate methodology

• Awareness of significant existing research

• Potential to make a meaningful contribution to the research field

• Clearly defined expected outcomes

• A strong reason for using the Young CAS research environment

• Potential for international collaboration

Required Application Materials

• Project description of no more than four pages, excluding references

• Approximately 400 words at the beginning of the project description written for readers outside the applicant’s specific field

• Research questions or hypotheses

• Project purpose and objectives

• Theoretical framework and methodology

• Overview of important existing research

• Explanation of the project’s contribution to the research frontier

• Expected project outcomes

• Explanation of the added value of joining the Young CAS Grant

• One page implementation plan

• List of 3 to 6 researchers proposed as fellows

• Academic titles, areas of expertise and institutional affiliations of proposed researchers

• Brief explanation of the composition of the research group

• Budget draft with explanations of expenses

• Ethical self assessment of no more than half a page

• CV including publication list, limited to four pages

• Letter of support from the head of section at the applicant’s home institution

The letter of support must confirm the applicant’s salary and exemption from other obligations during Young CAS activities. It must also confirm that the home institution will host the second gathering during the first year.

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated by a panel of generalists and subsequently considered by the CAS selection committee and Board of Directors.

Selection is based on:

• Scientific quality

• Applicant’s academic merits

• Alignment with the mission of CAS

• Strength and clarity of the proposed research

• Relevance of the project to the Young CAS programme

• Quality of the research questions and theoretical framework

• Methodological strength

• Potential contribution to the research frontier

• Feasibility of the proposed research activities

• Value of the workshops and residential research period

Applications that do not meet the formal eligibility requirements will not proceed to selection. The two Young CAS Grant projects for the 2027 to 2029 period are expected to be selected in February 2027.

How to Apply

1. Review the Young CAS Grant eligibility requirements and confirm that you hold a full time academic position at an eligible CAS partner institution.
2. Develop a research project that aligns with CAS’s mission of excellent, curiosity driven basic research.
3. Prepare the project description within the four page limit and include the required accessible introduction for readers outside your field.
4. Prepare the one page project implementation plan.
5. Identify 3 to 6 researchers who could participate as fellows and provide the requested information about their expertise and institutions.
6. Prepare the budget draft using the required template.
7. Complete the ethical self assessment.
8. Prepare a CV including your publication list and keep it within the four page limit.
9. Obtain the required letter of support from the head of section at your home institution.
10. Save all application documents in English as PDF files.
11. Submit the complete application electronically through the UNIFOR application system.
12. Submit the application by 23:59 on 19 November 2026. Late applications cannot be processed because the electronic system closes after the deadline.