Introduction
The Nordic Council of Ministers is the official body for intergovernmental cooperation among the Nordic countries, bringing governments together to develop shared policies, fund collaborative projects and address regional challenges in areas such as climate, research, innovation, culture, energy, health, digitalisation and social development.
Established in 1971, the organization involves Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden, while the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland participate extensively in Nordic cooperation and enjoy practically the same representation as the member countries.
The Nordic Council of Ministers is not a private foundation, commercial enterprise or individually owned donor. It is an intergovernmental institution financed mainly by the Nordic governments. Nevertheless, it is an important regional funding body, supporting hundreds of projects and activities each year directly and through institutions such as NordForsk, Nordic Innovation, Nordic Energy Research and Nordic Culture Point.
History and Background
The Nordic Council of Ministers was established in 1971 following several decades of growing cooperation between the Nordic governments.
Its creation followed an unsuccessful attempt to establish a Nordic economic community known as Nordek. With Denmark and Norway preparing for referendums concerning membership of the European Economic Community, Nordic governments wanted an institutional structure capable of maintaining regional cooperation even as their relationships with wider European institutions changed.
Nordic ministers had already cooperated informally in areas such as economic affairs and development assistance before 1971. The establishment of the Nordic Council of Ministers formalized this cooperation and introduced common rules governing ministerial meetings, decision-making and sectoral collaboration.
The Helsinki Treaty, originally signed in 1962, was subsequently amended to establish the Nordic Council of Ministers formally as the official intergovernmental cooperation body of the Nordic Region.
A Secretariat was established following the creation of the organization. Today, the Nordic Council of Ministers’ Secretariat is located in Copenhagen, Denmark, and coordinates day-to-day intergovernmental cooperation.
Nordic Council and Nordic Council of Ministers
The Nordic Council of Ministers should not be confused with the Nordic Council.
The Nordic Council, established in 1952, is the body for interparliamentary cooperation and consists of elected parliamentarians from across the Nordic Region.
The Nordic Council of Ministers, established in 1971, represents government-to-government cooperation and consists of ministers and senior officials responsible for specific policy areas.
Mission and Purpose
The central vision of the Nordic Council of Ministers is to make the Nordic Region the most sustainable and integrated region in the world by 2030. The Nordic prime ministers adopted this Vision 2030 framework in 2019.
Its work is organized around three broad strategic priorities.
- A green Nordic Region: Accelerating the green transition, carbon neutrality, circular economy and sustainable use of natural resources.
- A competitive Nordic Region: Supporting knowledge, innovation, research, mobility, digital integration and sustainable economic growth.
- A socially sustainable Nordic Region: Promoting inclusion, equality, welfare, democracy and strong communities.
Policy Areas
The Nordic Council of Ministers coordinates cooperation across a wide range of sectors.
Its policy areas include:
- Labour
- Education, research and languages
- Health and social affairs
- Energy
- Gender equality and LGBTI
- Fisheries, aquaculture, agriculture, food and forestry
- Culture
- Environment and climate
- Economic and fiscal policy
- Digitalisation
- Justice
- Business and industry
- Regional development
The organization has also identified cross-cutting priorities relating to societal security, new technologies, oceans, future skills, children and young people, and international cooperation.
Governance and Structure
Overall responsibility for Nordic intergovernmental cooperation rests with the Nordic prime ministers.
In practice, responsibility is delegated to the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation, known as MR-SAM, and the Nordic Committee for Co-operation, or NSK, which coordinates day-to-day intergovernmental work.
Ministerial Councils
The organization does not operate as a single permanent council of the same ministers. Instead, different councils of ministers meet according to policy area.
For example, ministers responsible for environment and climate cooperate through one ministerial council, while ministers responsible for education and research, energy, culture, labour and other areas meet through their respective councils.
Committees of senior government officials prepare issues for consideration and follow up on ministerial decisions.
Decision-Making
Decisions within the Nordic Council of Ministers must generally be unanimous.
Each member country has one vote, creating a governance model based on consensus rather than majority rule.
Representatives of the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland also participate extensively and may endorse decisions where permitted under their respective self-government arrangements.
Rotating Presidency
The Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers rotates annually among Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
The country holding the presidency develops a programme identifying its priorities and chairs relevant meetings during the year.
In 2026, Denmark and the Faroe Islands hold the Presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
Secretary General and Secretariat
The Secretariat in Copenhagen prepares ministerial and senior-official meetings, implements decisions, coordinates projects and develops knowledge supporting common Nordic solutions.
Karen Ellemann has served as Secretary General of the Nordic Council of Ministers since 1 January 2023.
The Secretariat’s principal functions include:
- Implementing and following up political decisions.
- Developing evidence for Nordic policy solutions.
- Coordinating ministries and institutions.
- Supporting networks and knowledge exchange.
- Administering Nordic cooperation activities.
Ownership and Institutional Status
The Nordic Council of Ministers has no private founder, shareholders or family ownership.
It is collectively supported by Nordic governments and operates under the Helsinki Treaty and associated Nordic cooperation agreements.
It should therefore be classified as an:
- Intergovernmental organization.
- Regional policy cooperation body.
- Public-sector funding mechanism.
- Research and innovation supporter.
- Administrator of Nordic collaborative programs.
It should not be classified as a private philanthropic foundation or enterprise foundation.
Funding and Grants
Official Nordic cooperation is financed primarily through tax revenues contributed by Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
A distribution formula determines how much each country contributes to the common Nordic budget. More than one-third of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ budget is directed to Nordic institutions that undertake research, innovation, culture, welfare and other collaborative activities.
The Nordic Council of Ministers publishes an annual budget, including a dedicated 2026 budget, to implement common political priorities and respond to emerging issues such as geopolitical change, digitalisation and climate challenges.
Project Funding
Approximately 500 projects and activities are launched and implemented each year within the framework of the Nordic Council of Ministers.
A central requirement is that projects provide Nordic added value. This means that cooperation between countries should produce benefits that would be difficult or less effective to achieve through purely national action.
Funded activities must also connect with the Council of Ministers’ strategic vision, political priorities and annual budget.
The organization does not accept unsolicited or spontaneous grant applications. Applicants must respond to a published call, grant scheme or funding programme.
Direct Open Calls
The Nordic Council of Ministers periodically issues direct funding calls on specific policy topics.
Examples published during 2026 include calls concerning:
- Labour-market cooperation.
- Artificial intelligence in Nordic workplaces.
- Participation and democratic engagement.
- Sustainable passenger and freight transport.
- Climate adaptation.
- Chemicals and environmental policy.
- Societal security and civil preparedness.
One 2026 call on developing methods for increased participation offered a financial framework of DKK 950,000, while another call for a legal review relating to societal security and civil preparedness offered DKK 1.5 million.
Funding amounts, eligibility requirements, project periods and eligible countries vary considerably from one call to another.
Research Grants through NordForsk
NordForsk is one of the Nordic Council of Ministers’ principal research-funding institutions.
It funds and facilitates high-quality research collaboration that produces Nordic added value. Its major funding instruments include:
- Collaborative research projects.
- Nordic Centres of Excellence.
- University cooperation.
- Research networks.
NordForsk normally launches around six funding calls each year, although the number varies.
For many programs, national research-funding organizations provide at least two-thirds of the budget, while NordForsk contributes up to one-third.
Eligibility for NordForsk Research Funding
Specific requirements vary by call, but research consortia generally need participants from at least three Nordic countries or autonomous territories.
The project owner is normally required to be a research-performing organization such as:
- A university.
- A university college.
- An established public or private research institute.
Public authorities, businesses and civil society organizations may participate as project partners where permitted by the particular call.
Nordic Innovation
Nordic Innovation is another institution operating under Nordic cooperation.
It initiates and funds activities intended to increase innovation and strengthen sustainable economic development, particularly involving small and medium-sized businesses across the Nordic Region.
Its programs support Nordic collaboration in areas such as:
- Emerging technology.
- Sustainable industry.
- Circular economy.
- Green mobility.
- Health innovation.
- Business transformation.
- Cross-border entrepreneurship.
Nordic Innovation’s 2025 work focused on new innovation programs supporting the Nordic Cooperation Programme for Sustainable Growth 2025–2030.
Nordic Energy Research
Nordic Energy Research funds collaborative energy research and helps develop evidence for Nordic energy-policy decisions.
It connects policymakers with universities, researchers and industry actors working on the regional energy transition.
Funding may support:
- Energy-system research.
- Renewable energy.
- Energy efficiency.
- Electricity markets.
- Energy security.
- Knowledge exchange.
- Researcher mobility.
- Conferences and networks.
Current funding mechanisms include individual exchange support and networking and event support.
As a general rule, many Nordic Energy Research project consortia must include organizations from at least three Nordic countries or autonomous territories.
Cultural Grants
The Nordic Council of Ministers finances numerous art and cultural programs through specialized institutions and strategic partners.
Nordic Culture Point administers funding supporting:
- Cultural and artistic projects.
- Children and young people.
- Nordic language and cultural knowledge.
- Civil society collaboration.
- Cultural mobility.
- Networking between artists and cultural professionals.
Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture
The Nordic-Baltic Mobility Programme for Culture promotes collaboration between artists and cultural professionals in the Nordic and Baltic countries.
Funding may support:
- Travel and mobility.
- Artist residencies.
- Collaborative projects.
- Professional networking.
- Knowledge exchange.
Demos
Demos supports civil society organizations seeking to develop cross-border Nordic cooperation.
The program finances meetings, networks and collaborative activities intended to strengthen civil society participation and influence.
A recent funding round had an overall financial framework of €50,000 and was restricted to eligible civil society organizations.
Nordic Culture Fund
The Nordic Culture Fund promotes artistic and cultural collaboration within the Nordic Region and between Nordic organizations and partners elsewhere in the world.
Its funding can support:
- Professional collaborations.
- Research visits.
- Network development.
- Artistic projects.
- Development and scaling of cultural initiatives.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Vision 2030
Vision 2030 is the overarching policy framework guiding Nordic cooperation.
It aims to create a region that is simultaneously:
- Green.
- Competitive.
- Socially sustainable.
- Highly integrated.
Research, funding calls, institutional programs and policy cooperation are increasingly evaluated according to their contribution to this vision.
NordForsk Research Programmes
NordForsk develops major cross-border research initiatives with national research councils.
Current and recent research topics include:
- Artificial intelligence.
- Food security.
- Raw materials.
- Societal security.
- Sustainable forests.
- Arctic development.
- Health.
- Children and young people.
- Research infrastructure.
Green Transition
Environmental and climate cooperation is a major element of Nordic funding.
Projects address topics such as:
- Climate adaptation.
- Carbon neutrality.
- Sustainable transport.
- Circular economy.
- Biodiversity.
- Chemicals.
- Renewable energy.
- Sustainable consumption.
- Bioeconomy.
Innovation and Sustainable Growth
Nordic Innovation works with companies and organizations to develop solutions that can operate across national boundaries.
The objective is to use the combined Nordic market, knowledge base and innovation ecosystem to accelerate technologies and business models that support regional competitiveness and sustainability.
Energy Cooperation
Nordic Energy Research supports a shared approach to energy security and the green energy transition.
The broader Nordic energy agenda includes:
- Secure energy supply.
- Integrated electricity markets.
- Renewable technologies.
- Research and innovation.
- Energy-system resilience.
Culture and Mobility
Cultural programs support artists, writers, cultural organizations and young people throughout the Nordic and Baltic regions.
The Council of Ministers’ cultural funding structure includes Nordic Culture Point, the Nordic Culture Fund, Nordic cultural houses and institutes, and partnerships supporting Sámi arts and culture.
Civil Society Cooperation
Civil society funding seeks to strengthen democratic participation and cross-border relationships.
Programmes such as Demos and other Nordic cooperation initiatives provide organizations with opportunities to establish networks, exchange knowledge and address shared societal challenges.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
Scale of Nordic Project Funding
With around 500 projects and activities launched annually, the Nordic Council of Ministers operates a wide-ranging regional funding ecosystem rather than a single central grant programme.
Funding reaches universities, research institutes, governments, businesses, cultural institutions, artists, civil society organizations and other partners through different institutions and calls.
NordForsk Research Impact
NordForsk reported significant research activity during 2025.
During the year it:
- Opened eight new calls.
- Made funding decisions across seven initiatives.
- Allocated approximately NOK 1.15 billion to new research projects.
- Supported research covering artificial intelligence, sustainable forestry, research infrastructure and other regional priorities.
A major Nordic and North American Arctic research initiative allocated more than NOK 330 million to nine projects examining issues such as oceans, freshwater, biodiversity, tourism and mineral resources.
Scientific and Societal Research Results
NordForsk’s 2025 impact reporting covered 125 active projects.
Those projects cumulatively reported:
- 2,911 research publications.
- 2,894 dissemination activities.
- 511 collaborations and partnerships.
- 216 awards and recognitions.
- 214 examples of securing further funding.
- 195 documented influences on policy, healthcare, professional practice or the public.
These figures demonstrate how Nordic research funding can generate both academic outputs and wider societal impact.
Research on Societal Security
One NordForsk call launched in 2025 made up to NOK 86 million in Nordic funding available for research into antagonistic threats and societal security in the Nordic and Baltic region.
Individual projects could seek up to approximately NOK 12.3 million in Nordic funding.
The initiative illustrates how collaborative Nordic research funding responds to emerging geopolitical and security challenges.
Sustainable Forest Research
NordForsk’s Sustainable Futures of Forests initiative offered a total budget of NOK 80 million for approximately seven Nordic-Baltic research projects.
The projects address biodiversity, economic use of forests, ecosystem services, climate change and the future sustainability of forest landscapes.
Natural Science and Engineering Networks
Another NordForsk initiative provided up to NOK 30 million for as many as 15 research networks in natural science and related engineering fields.
Individual networks could seek up to NOK 2 million to develop new research directions and strengthen Nordic scientific collaboration.
Energy Research
Nordic Energy Research has funded joint projects examining energy transition challenges requiring regional solutions.
For example, one Baltic-Nordic energy research call provided NOK 8.2 million for approximately three projects, with individual projects eligible for up to NOK 2.72 million over two years.
Cultural Cooperation
Nordic cultural funding supports artists and institutions through mobility, networks, residencies, translations and collaborative projects.
These mechanisms help cultural actors work across national borders and strengthen shared Nordic and Nordic-Baltic cultural networks.
Understanding the Nordic Council of Ministers as a Donor
The Nordic Council of Ministers is a significant public funder, but applicants should understand its decentralized structure.
Funding may be administered by:
- The Nordic Council of Ministers Secretariat.
- NordForsk.
- Nordic Innovation.
- Nordic Energy Research.
- Nordic Culture Point.
- Nordic Culture Fund.
- National agencies acting as administrative bodies.
- Other Nordic institutions and programme partners.
Applicants should therefore identify the specific programme relevant to their sector rather than submitting a general proposal to the Council of Ministers.
The organization explicitly states that it does not accept spontaneous funding applications.
Who Can Receive Nordic Funding?
Eligibility varies substantially by programme.
Potential applicants may include:
- Universities.
- Research institutes.
- Civil society organizations.
- Cultural organizations.
- Artists and cultural professionals.
- Businesses and startups.
- Government agencies.
- Public-sector bodies.
- Networks and partnerships.
Most programmes require a clear cross-border dimension and demonstrable Nordic added value.
Some programs also include Baltic countries or international partners, while others are limited strictly to Nordic institutions.
Conclusion
The Nordic Council of Ministers has been the principal institution for formal intergovernmental cooperation among the Nordic governments since 1971.
Its purpose is not only to coordinate policy but also to finance joint solutions to challenges that can be addressed more effectively through regional cooperation.
The organization operates through ministerial councils, senior-official committees, a Copenhagen-based Secretariat and a network of specialized Nordic institutions. Decisions are generally based on consensus, while the annual presidency rotates among the five Nordic countries.
Funding comes primarily from the Nordic governments and supports hundreds of projects annually in research, innovation, culture, energy, climate, labour, welfare, digitalisation and civil society.
Institutions such as NordForsk, Nordic Innovation, Nordic Energy Research and Nordic Culture Point make the Nordic Council of Ministers particularly relevant to researchers, universities, companies, cultural actors and nonprofit organizations seeking cross-border funding.
Its overarching Vision 2030—to make the Nordic Region the world’s most sustainable and integrated region—provides the strategic foundation for these investments and for the wider role of Nordic cooperation in research, innovation and society.
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