FoU-program innen marin bioteknologi i Nord-Norge

This scheme is the MABIT programme, described on its own site (mabit.no) as "Et næringsrettet FoU program innen marin bioteknologi i Nord-Norge" ("A business-oriented R&D programme in marine biotechnology in Northern Norway"). It provides grants (tilskudd) for research and development projects within marine biotechnology.

MABIT's own page states the programme finances projects within three focus areas: "verdiskaping fra marin biomasse og sidestrømmer" (value creation from marine biomass and side streams), "bioteknologi i akvakultur og fiskehelse" (biotechnology in aquaculture and fish health), and "marin bioprospektering" (marine bioprospecting). These three areas are transcribed here only as the source's stated scope, not as inferred categories.

On eligibility, the site states the programme is open to "Bedrifter og FoU-miljø i Nord-Norge og søkere utenfor regionen i samarbeid med nordnorske aktører" ("Businesses and R&D environments in Northern Norway and applicants outside the region in collaboration with Northern Norwegian actors"). Specifically named applicants include "Nordnorske bedrifter innenfor bioteknologi, fiskeri eller havbruk" (Northern Norwegian businesses within biotechnology, fisheries or aquaculture), industry actors outside the region collaborating with Northern Norwegian R&D environments, and R&D environments inside and outside Northern Norway partnering with northern industry actors.

On funding terms, MABIT's application page states a standard project framework of about 1 MNOK (1 million NOK), normally allocated for one year at a time, with projects typically supported for 1–1½ years and a maximum of 2 years. For industry-led projects, companies contribute roughly 50 % co-financing; for research-led projects, the site notes that "Forskningsmiljøene kan søke inntil 100 % finansiering" ("The research environments can apply for up to 100 % financing"). Companies are also encouraged to apply for SkatteFUNN for additional project costs. The max amount field records the stated 1 MNOK standard project framework; no separate minimum is published.

On the application process, the site states that "Mabit har normalt 4-5 søknadsfrister per år og kort responstid" ("MABIT normally has 4–5 application deadlines per year with short response times"), so application mode is recorded as scheduled rounds. Applications are submitted via the portal regionalforvaltning.no. Required documentation listed by MABIT includes a budget/cost plan (MABIT budsjett – kostnadsplan), a 1–2 page CV for the project leader, collaboration letters confirming partnerships, and business information for industry applicants. Reporting requirements include an annual progress report by 31 December, annual accounts by 31 January, a final report due three months after project completion, and a popular-science summary (max 200 words) for publication. The contact channel published on the site is post@mabit.no.

Register context (from the EEA/EFTA state-aid register, Stoetteordning, snapshot 2026-05-19): the scheme is registered under stoettetiltaksnummer 1000000524 with grantor Norinnova AS (organisasjonsnummer 957915035), instrument type stoetteinstrumenttype.tilskudd, an English alternate name "R&D within marine biotech in Nothern Norway", a registered validity period of 2024-05-10 to 2026-12-31, and a stated total budget of 20,000,000 NOK. EEA/EFTA legal basis: statsstoettekategori.gruppeunntattStoette under eoesprimaerrettsliggrunnlag.stoetteOmfattetAvGruppeunntaketEtterKommisjonsforordningNr651 2014.