NOK 274.5 billion – the largest bilateral aid programme in the entire history of Norway, named after Fridtjof Nansen, who saved Ukraine from famine a century ago. Yet the vast majority of those funds flow through government channels and international organisations. What from the Nansen Programme and Norway’s broader support ecosystem can your business, organisation, researcher, or activist actually apply to – right now?
Below is a verified selection of nine open programmes with Norwegian funding or a direct Norway–Ukraine connection: from large SME investment grants to international science prizes and youth opportunities. All deadlines verified as of 29 April 2026.
| Programmes covered 9 programmes |
Nearest deadline 1 May 2026 |
Maximum amount NOK 6,000,000 |
Target sectors Business, NGOs, research, youth |
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Business and Entrepreneurship
From large Norad investment grants to micro-grants for women entrepreneurs and regional circular economy innovation
1. Norad – Enterprise Development for Ukraine 2026 (Stage 1)
Organiser: Norad (Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation) | norad.no · Who can apply: Ukrainian, Norwegian and international companies
Part of the Nansen Support Programme, this call promotes investment-ready private sector projects in Ukraine. Total budget: up to NOK 100 million for 2026–2027, with approximately three projects expected to receive funding in 2026. Priority areas: sustainable energy, food security and agriculture, reconstruction of critical infrastructure. Grants cover up to 50% of project costs. Minimum application: NOK 5,000,000. Funding cannot exceed 20% of the applicant’s annual turnover. Eligible activities include feasibility studies, pilot production, risk financing, vocational training, and protective measures. Marketing, sales, and excessive administrative costs are not eligible.
| Grant amount: | NOK 5,000,000+ (up to 50% of project costs) |
| Deadline: | 17 June 2026, 13:00 CEST |
RIVCircular
2. RIVCircular – Circular Economy Grants (Kyiv Oblast + Norway)
Organiser: RIVCircular (EU Interreg) | rivcircular.eu · Who can apply: SMEs and startups in a consortium with partners from Innlandet or other participating regions
A programme in which Innlandet (Norway) and Kyiv Oblast (Ukraine) are two of eight participating regions. The consortium must include partners from at least two regions, one of which must be Kyiv Oblast or Innlandet. Priority topics: construction and demolition waste recycling, circular energy from local waste streams, electric vehicle battery recycling, circular textile economy, and digital circular solutions. Designed for technology-driven projects from TRL 3 to market entry. Participation of SMEs in the consortium is recommended under the call conditions.
| Grant amount: | up to EUR 600,000 per consortium |
| Deadline: | 17 September 2026, 14:00 CET |
3. Visa Everywhere Pioneers 2026 – Grant for Women Entrepreneurs
Organiser: Visa Inc. | visaeupromotions.com · Who can apply: Women entrepreneurs with refugee experience, residents of Ukraine, EU, Norway, or UK
The programme will select 30 winners in 2026. It supports women who own a registered business (minimum 51% ownership) that has been active on the market for at least 12 months. Ukraine is explicitly listed as an eligible country. In addition to the cash grant, winners receive business mentorship from Visa experts and access to language courses. Winners will be announced on 20 June 2026 – World Refugee Day.
| Grant amount: | EUR 2,000 non-repayable micro-grant + mentorship |
| Deadline: | 1 May 2026 |
NGOs, Municipalities and the Cultural Sector
The PFRU programme is co-funded by Norway as part of a seven-donor consortium and supports communities and organisations directly in Ukraine
4. PFRU – Social Service Needs Assessment Capacity (No. 19-05)
Organiser: PFRU / Chemonics | pfru.org.ua · Donors: Canada, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Estonia, Finland
What is funded
A single grant to an organisation that will help local communities independently assess social service needs and translate findings into planning and budgeting decisions. Supported activities include the development of a practical needs-assessment toolkit, training and mentorship, and a structured planning product communities can implement under wartime conditions.
Geography and conditions
Implementation geography: Dnipropetrovsk, Kharkiv, Odesa, Chernihiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Sumy and Zaporizhzhia oblasts. Duration: 9 months. One grant anticipated.
| Grant amount: | up to UAH 11,800,000 |
| Deadline: | 5 May 2026, 23:59 Kyiv time |
| Contact: | pfrukyiv@chemonics.com |
5. PFRU – Cultural Product Packages for Local Professionals (No. 18-06)
Organiser: PFRU / Chemonics | pfru.org.ua · Donors: Canada, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Estonia, Finland
What is funded
A grant for organisations that will help local cultural professionals in frontline, de-occupied, and war-affected communities regain access to cultural life. The deliverable is a set of modular plug-and-play cultural product packages for teachers, librarians, museum staff, and community activists – with methodology guides and basic equipment. Packages must be low-cost, replicable, and adaptable.
Requirements and timeline
An inclusive, trauma-informed approach is required throughout. Implementation period: June 2026 – June 2027. National scope. One grant anticipated.
| Grant amount: | up to GBP 90,000 (~UAH 5,250,000) | 8–9 months |
| Deadline: | 20 May 2026, 12:00 Kyiv time |
| Contact: | pfrukyiv@chemonics.com |
Research and Academia
Two prestigious Norwegian academic prizes with open nomination windows – for humanities scholars, legal researchers and social scientists
6. The Holberg Prize – International Academic Prize
Organiser: Holberg Prize Foundation, Bergen, Norway | holbergprize.org · Who can apply: Researchers from any country; humanities, social sciences, law, theology
About the prize
One of the most significant international academic prizes in the humanities, social sciences, and legal fields. Awarded for an outstanding, internationally influential scholarly contribution. There are no nationality restrictions: any researcher from any country can be nominated, including Ukrainian scholars or those studying Ukraine. Self-nominations are not accepted.
How to nominate
Any academic holding a position at a university, academy, or research institution may nominate a candidate. Required materials: nomination letter 1,000–3,000 characters, candidate CV and publication list, names of three potential referees. All nominations are strictly confidential. The 2027 laureate will be announced in March, with the ceremony in Bergen in June 2027.
| Prize value: | NOK 6,000,000 (~EUR 540,000) |
| Deadline: | 15 June 2026 |
7. Nils Klim Prize – For Early-Career Scholars in the Nordic Space
Organiser: Holberg Prize Foundation | holbergprize.org/nils-klim-prize · Who can apply: Researchers under 40, Nordic citizens or those with primary affiliation at a Nordic institution
The early-career companion to the Holberg Prize. Key eligibility note for Ukrainians: the prize is open to citizens of Nordic countries (Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Iceland) or to researchers whose primary place of work is a Nordic academic institution. This means Ukrainian scholars currently employed at Norwegian or other Nordic universities are eligible. Fields: humanities, social sciences, law, theology. Time spent on parental or sick leave may be deducted from the age calculation. The 2027 laureate will be announced in March 2027.
| Prize value: | NOK 500,000 (~EUR 45,000) |
| Eligibility note: | Nordic citizen or primary affiliation with a Nordic institution; under 40 |
| Deadline: | 15 June 2026 |
Youth, Culture and Personal Development
A youth leadership summit in Norway and a nature photography competition – both open to Ukrainians
8. ASEF Young Leaders Summit 2026 – Tromsø, Norway
Organiser: Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) | asef.org · Who can apply: Young people aged 18–30, leaders of youth organisations; Ukraine is eligible
An annual youth forum connecting young leaders from Asian and European countries with international decision-makers. The theme for 2026 is “Anticipatory Leadership for a Human-Centred Future”. The programme has two phases: an online training phase (9 June – 30 July 2026) and an in-person phase in Tromsø, Norway (August – November 2026). Accommodation, meals, and travel costs are covered for selected participants. There are no registration or participation fees.
| Funding: | Accommodation, meals and travel fully covered; participation free of charge |
| Deadline: | 12 May 2026 |
9. EEA Photo Competition “Resilient by Nature” – EUR 1,000
Organiser: European Environment Agency | eea.europa.eu · Who can apply: EU citizens, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein; Ukraine eligible under association agreements
The annual European Environment Agency photography competition. The 2026 theme is “Resilient by Nature” – capturing the connection between humans and their environment. Three categories: Harmony, Disruption, Renewal. Up to five photographs may be submitted. Public vote runs from 14 to 27 September 2026. Winners in each category receive EUR 1,000; the Public Choice and Youth Prize (ages 18–24) carry a EUR 500 award. The competition opens on 18 May 2026.
| Prize amount: | EUR 1,000 (category winner) / EUR 500 (Public Choice and Youth Prize) |
| Deadline: | 10 August 2026, 23:59 CEST (competition opens 18 May) |
Summary Table: Norwegian–Ukrainian Grants 2026
| Programme | Amount | Deadline | For whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa Everywhere Pioneers | EUR 2,000 | 1 May 2026 | Women entrepreneurs with refugee experience |
| PFRU – Social Services | up to UAH 11,800,000 | 5 May 2026 | NGOs, universities, municipalities |
| ASEF Young Leaders Summit | Costs covered | 12 May 2026 | Youth 18–30, organisation leaders |
| PFRU – Cultural Products | up to GBP 90,000 | 20 May 2026 | NGOs, museums, cultural organisations |
| Holberg Prize | NOK 6,000,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Researchers from any country (nomination) |
| Norad Enterprise Development | NOK 5,000,000+ | 17 Jun 2026 | SMEs in energy, agri, infrastructure |
| Nils Klim Prize | NOK 500,000 | 15 Jun 2026 | Under 40, Nordic affiliation |
| EEA Photo Competition | EUR 1,000 | 10 Aug 2026 | Individuals; Ukrainians eligible |
| RIVCircular | up to EUR 600,000 | 17 Sep 2026 | SMEs in Kyiv Oblast + Norwegian/regional partner |
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