Call for Applications

The FURIM Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellowship is a competitive research and innovation scholarship program designed to support exceptional high school students.

The program identifies ambitious young minds with demonstrated academic excellence, initiative, and research potential, and provides them with funding, mentorship, and access to Furim’s research and innovation ecosystem.

Each cycle, a limited number of fellows are selected to receive structured support for the development of a defined research project or a series of related projects. 

Program Vision

The FURIM Institute Forward Looking Minds Fellowship is built on one principle:

High-potential young researchers should not be limited by access.

The program aims to:

• Support academically outstanding students

• Encourage independent research and innovation

• Provide early access to research environments and professional networks

• Bridge secondary education, university study, and real-world application

• Cultivate the next generation of scientific and technological leaders

Furim believes that talent should be developed early, rigorously, and with structure.

This fellowship is designed to create measurable outcomes, not symbolic recognition.

Fellowship Focus Areas 2026

For the 2026 cycle, selected projects should fall within one of the following domains:

• Engineering & Applied Sciences

• Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Mathematics (Theoretical or Experimental)

• Sustainability & Environmental Science

• Computational Science & Modeling

• Artificial Intelligence & Data Science

Applicants must propose a clearly defined project or research objective within one of these areas.

Interdisciplinary projects are welcome if they remain technically rigorous.

Program Support

Each selected fellow will receive:

• A research grant of 25,000–50,000 NOK
  (Final amount determined based on project scope and budget proposal)

Funding may be distributed in structured phases, for example:

• Initial disbursement upon acceptance

• Mid-term review installment

• Final installment upon submission of deliverables

In addition, fellows receive:

• Structured mentorship from Furim-affiliated professionals

• Access to laboratory and technical infrastructure (as applicable)

• Access to high-performance computing resources

• Visibility within the Furim innovation ecosystem

• Opportunity to present their project at a Furim-hosted event

Fellowship support is performance-based and contingent on meeting defined milestones.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Be enrolled in a Norwegian high school (public or private)

• Be in one of the final two years of videregående or gap year before undergraduate

• Demonstrate strong academic performance (recommended minimum equivalent of 5.0+/6 Norsk Gjennomsnitt Karakter, IB 36+/45 or similar level)

• Demonstrate strong academic performance in related fields of study

• Show evidence of initiative (research, competitions, internships, technical projects, or similar)

• Propose a structured project with defined objectives in line with this year’s priorities

• Commit to completing the project within the fellowship period

• Be available for periodic mentorship meetings

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• CV

• Short project proposal (1–2 pages) and budget for the project

• Reference letters (optional but recommended)

Shortlisted applicants might be asked to prove achievements and academic performance with certificates, transcripts etc.

The program is competitive and selective.

Timeline

Applications Open: 18th of February 2026
Application Deadline: 9th of March 2026
Evaluation Period: 9–19th March 2026
Final Decisions Announced: 20th March 2026

Fellowship Period: April – December 2026

Mid-Term Review: August 2026
Final Presentation and Report: December 2026

Selection Criteria

Applications are evaluated based on:

• Academic excellence

• Clarity and feasibility of proposed project

• Technical depth and originality

• Demonstrated initiative and prior engagement

• Alignment with the Institute’s  mission and values

Shortlisted candidates may be invited for a brief interview.

Expectations of Fellows

Selected fellows are expected to:

• Submit periodic progress updates

• Maintain proper documentation of research activities

• Acknowledge Furim support in public outputs

• Present their results at the final fellowship event

Failure to meet program expectations may result in funding adjustments.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted through the official application form

The application form is used for preliminary screening.

Shortlisted candidates may be asked to submit additional documentation.