SFI status awarded to "Centre of Cardiological Innovation" - hosted by Oslo UH and led by Thor Edvardsen
The Research Council of Norway has awarded "Centre for Research-based Innovation" (SFI) status to seven new centres. Among these is the new "Centre of Cardiological Innovation", hosted by Oslo University Hospital and led by Thor Edvardsen (photo) at the Division of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Diseases.
The Centre for Cardiological Innovation aims to be a world leader in research on ultrasound-based diagnosis. At the same time the research will generate considerable financial gain for the participating companies.
"There are already 14 centres that have been granted SFI status under the Research Council scheme. These have recently undergone a mid-term evaluation, with extremely positive results. Experience thus far indicates that the centre schemes provide an excellent means of bringing together cutting-edge expertise in a small country such as Norway. The centres are attractive as partners for international research collaboration and help to put Norway on the world map" states Arvid Hallén, Director General of the Research Council.
The seven new centres will each receive up to NOK 10 million a year for a period of up to eight years. This means an added investment in research-based innovation of up to NOK 560 million.
In total the allocations from the Research Council to the centres will now amount to over NOK 200 million a year.
"This investment in the Centres for Research-based Innovation (SFI) scheme indicates the high level of priority given by the Government and the Research Council to long-term research that strengthens trade and industry and that also meets fundamental social challenges" says Minister of Research and Higher Education Tora Aasland.
"The SFI centres ensure that our best research groups are working in close contact with companies from industry. One of the main tasks of the centres is training for doctoral students who are conducting research on issues relevant to industrys needs. Long-term investment in knowledge-intensive companies will generate a more robust and competitive industrial sector" states Minister of Trade and Industry Trond Giske.
In case of the Centre of Cardiological Innovation the host institution Oslo University Hospital has Simula Research Laboratory as research partner and GE Vingmed Ultrasound AS, CardioSolv LLC, Biosense Webster Ltd and Kalkulo AS as company partners.
Links:
From the web pages of the Research Council of Norway:
Centres targeting the future
Centres for Research-based Innovation (SFI) home page
In Norwegian: Sju nye SFI: Sentre som sikrer fremtiden