Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026 supports partnerships for international work exchange linked to sustainable development. It is an organizational grant, not a tuition scholarship for individual students. Norec funds eligible partnerships that plan exchanges involving young professionals or volunteers and projects aligned with development needs.
In 2026, the scheme has two connected phases: Concept Development for new partnerships and Project Implementation for eligible existing or recently established Norec partnerships. Norec works with partner organizations in Norway and selected countries in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, with a focus on reciprocity, youth participation, and sustainable development. For more opportunities in this category, see OpportunitiesInstitute.com.
Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026 Details:
- Host Country/Location: Norway, with exchange projects implemented in countries eligible for Norwegian development assistance and Norec partner countries.
- Host Org: Norec, the Norwegian agency supporting global partnerships and international work exchange.
- Study Levels: Not applicable as a student scholarship; the grant supports organizational partnerships and exchange participants aged 18–35.
- Eligibility scope: Legally registered organizations applying as partnerships of at least two organizations from different countries, subject to Norec’s organizational, geographic, capacity, and project requirements.
List of Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026 Programs
- Phase 1: Concept Development
- Phase 2: Project Implementation
For other international funding opportunities, visit Opportunities Institute.
Benefits of Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026:
- Phase 1 — Concept Development: New partnerships can apply for up to NOK 150,000, or the equivalent in USD at the exchange rate at application, to hold a partner meeting and develop a work-exchange project.
- Phase 1 — Total funding available: Norec lists NOK 1 million in total funds for the 2026 Phase 1 call.
- Phase 1 — Covered costs: Funding can cover per diem, accommodation, necessary visas and vaccines, and travel costs for the partner-development meeting.
- Phase 1 — Support: Norec provides guidance and training on working with an international partner and planning a successful exchange project.
- Phase 2 — Project Implementation: The 2026 call lists NOK 20 million in total funds for eligible work-exchange projects starting in January/February 2027.
- Phase 2 — Participant costs: Norec primarily funds direct costs for young professionals or volunteers aged 18–35, including salary.
- Phase 2 — Travel and living costs: Eligible grant costs include travel, insurance, taxes, and housing related to the exchange.
- Phase 2 — Work equipment: Necessary equipment for exchange participants to do their jobs can be funded.
- Phase 2 — Administrative support: Norec provides a small administrative grant for partner organizations.
- Phase 2 — Training and guidance: Norec provides guidance and training during implementation, and everyone involved in the exchange participates in training.
Available Subject Areas
Norec does not limit the grant to one academic discipline. The 2026 call says projects may address themes across the Sustainable Development Goals and identifies these thematic priorities.
- Climate
- Climate adaptation
- Gender equality
- Sexual and reproductive health and rights
- Sustainable development and institutional development
- Youth participation and international work experience
- Knowledge, skills, and organizational capacity exchange
- Other project themes aligned with Norec’s grant purpose and ODA criteria
Eligibility Criteria for Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026:
Eligibility varies by phase and partnership status. The scheme is designed for organizations, while the work-exchange participants are young professionals or volunteers aged 18–35.
- The application must be submitted by a partnership of at least two legally registered organizations from different countries.
- Eligible organization types include civil society organizations, public institutions, private sector companies, and multilateral or global organizations.
- Projects must be implemented in countries eligible for Norwegian development assistance; Norec prioritizes projects in its partner countries and countries where Norway has established development-policy cooperation.
- Each partner generally needs adequate administrative and financial capacity, a physical office, digital accounting software, the ability to receive foreign funding, and audited financial statements.
- Each organization generally needs at least three full-time salaried employees, although Norec states that exceptions may apply in specified cases.
- The partnership must meet Norec requirements concerning legal compliance, ethical standards, prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment, and anti-corruption.
- Organizations cannot have an ongoing Norec wrongdoing investigation or qualifying outstanding reimbursement claims.
- Exchange projects must normally last at least 6 months and no more than 12 months, with exceptions discussed with Norec.
- The project idea must address a specific need, align with Norec’s grant purpose, and comply with OECD/DAC criteria for Official Development Assistance.
- Norec also assesses partnership strength, reciprocity, learning goals, innovation, sustainability, participant support, risk management, cost-effectiveness, and fit with current priorities.
Examples:
- Phase 1: Concept Development: New partnerships that want to develop a work-exchange project and prepare a future Phase 2 application. The partnership submits a joint project idea.
- Phase 2: Project Implementation: Partnerships that completed Phase 1 or have an existing or recent Norec collaboration agreement. The 2026 Phase 2 call accepts eligible partnerships for projects with exchange start-up in January/February 2027.
Required Documents/Materials/Prerequisites:
- Phase 1 online application through Norec’s grant portal.
- Joint project idea and partnership information.
- Organization profile and administrative-capacity information.
- Organization financial-capacity information.
- Latest annual narrative report from each organization.
- Latest audited annual financial statements from each organization; Norec requires the audited period not to be older than 18 months for the Phase 1 application guidance.
- Certificate of registration for each organization.
- Government authorization to receive funding from abroad, if relevant.
- Project concept and budget prepared with Norec’s required templates and budget instructions.
- Phase 2 applicants must use the mandatory application templates and required-document list published by Norec.
- Phase 2 applications require application documents, including the budget and results framework, to be signed by an authorized signatory.
- Phase 1 applications and supporting documents should be submitted in Norwegian or English unless Norec approves another language in advance.
Deadline:
The Phase 2 deadline was August 15, 2026 at 23:59 CET, so that call has passed as of August 16, 2026. The currently relevant open deadline is Phase 1: September 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET, with the decision expected within three months; invited Phase 1 partnerships are expected to submit Phase 2 applications by February 1, 2027. See the Opportunities Institute homepage for updates.
How to Apply for Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026?
- Check that your partnership meets Norec’s organization, country, capacity, and project requirements.
- For Phase 1, create or prepare the partnership with at least two eligible organizations from different countries.
- Review Norec’s 2026 Phase 1 call and grant-portal instructions before entering the application.
- Gather the required organizational reports, audited financial statements, registration documents, and any relevant foreign-funding authorization.
- Complete the partnership, project idea, and budget sections jointly; select a coordinating partner for submission.
- Submit the Phase 1 application through the official Norec grant portal by September 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET.
- For eligible Phase 2 partnerships, follow Norec’s separate email submission process and use the mandatory Phase 2 templates and document list.
FAQs
Is the Norec Grant Program a scholarship for students?
No. Norec’s 2026 scheme is an organizational grant for international work-exchange partnerships. Young professionals and volunteers aged 18–35 can participate through approved exchange projects.
How much funding does Norec offer in 2026?
Phase 1 offers up to NOK 150,000 per new partnership for concept development, with NOK 1 million available in total. Phase 2 has NOK 20 million in total funds for the 2026 call.
Who can apply for the Norec grant?
Eligible applicants are partnerships of at least two legally registered organizations from different countries. Norec lists civil society organizations, public institutions, private companies, and multilateral or global organizations.
What are the 2026 Norec thematic priorities?
The 2026 priorities are climate, climate adaptation, gender equality, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. Projects can also address other Sustainable Development Goal themes that fit the grant purpose.
What is the deadline for the Norec grant in 2026?
Phase 1 closes on September 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET. The Phase 2 deadline was August 15, 2026, so Phase 2 is already closed as of August 16.
Where is the Norec application submitted?
Phase 1 applications are submitted through Norec’s online grant portal. Phase 2 applications are submitted by email to the relevant Norec program adviser or norec@norec.no.
Conclusion
Norec Grant Program Scholarship 2026 is best understood as a partnership grant rather than an individual study scholarship. The open route on August 16, 2026 is Phase 1, which offers up to NOK 150,000 for concept development and closes on September 1, 2026 at 23:59 CET.
All listings are gathered from trusted official sources. Applicants are solely responsible for confirming accuracy and eligibility before applying.
