Centre for Advanced Study at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
The Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters is an independent foundation that furthers excellent, fundamental, curiosity-driven research. The Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) was founded by the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters and is located at its premises. CAS’ primary objective is to further excellent research by providing its fellows with uninterrupted time for research. Since its opening in 1992, the Centre has hosted more than a thousand researchers.
Group-based Research
Each year, CAS hosts three research groups working on projects within and across the fields of the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. All faculty members who hold permanent research positions at CAS’ partner institutions in Norway are eligible to submit a project proposal and assemble and lead the corresponding research group at CAS.
Project leaders can invite researchers from around the world at any stage of their careers to participate in the project -- whether for an entire year or for a few months. CAS projects often include Ph.D. candidates and/or postdoctoral fellows, which promotes career development and mentorship. Each year, 40 to 45 researchers from 10 to 15 countries participate in CAS projects.
Following an application process that includes an international peer review, the CAS Board of Directors selects three projects for a one-year residency. Project leaders are then given two years to plan for their stay at CAS.
Funding and Partnerships
CAS is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research. Each CAS project receives a roughly NOK 3.5 million grant, which is managed by each project’s leader(s).
CAS is also indirectly funded through its partnerships with Norwegian universities and university colleges. The partnerships, which last for five years and may be renewed, are structured to benefit CAS, the institutions, and the researchers themselves:
(i) Faculty members who hold permanent research positions at CAS’ partner institutions are granted extra sabbatical leave by their home institution during their stay
(ii) Partner institutions earn publication points for research published during or after a stay at CAS
Researchers who are not employed by any of CAS’ partner institutions often use their sabbatical to participate in a CAS project. However, group leaders can also set aside some of their budget to cover the teaching replacement costs for fellows who would otherwise be unable to participate in the project.
