At BIO, we have gradually become accustomed to operating within tight financial constraints. The 2026 state budget does not signal that this will change anytime soon. As expected, it is a budget characterized by moderation. For the university and college sector, the proposed overall allocation will result in a modest real growth of 0.1 percent. For research and development, NOK 51.3 billion has been allocated, which represents a somewhat more noticeable real increase of 1.8 percent (forskerforum). The budget that has been presented will be negotiated in Stortinget before it is finalized in December, and of course, we can hope for positive changes for our sector.
Although there is an increase in the number of study places, unfortunately none at our institute, the phasing out of temporary COVID-related study places continues. This means we must find room for new initiatives within existing frameworks, a challenge that requires clear priorities. This reinforces the need for strategic prioritization and long-term planning. We must ensure that our academic environments remain competitive while contributing to national priorities. There are also signals of greater emphasis on credit production and completion, and a need for internal changes in the course portfolio, such as fewer categories. This may influence how we prioritize our educational portfolio going forward.
We must continue to develop attractive study programs and ensure high completion rates. We have been strong in this area for many years, and all the initiatives and development plans I see within BIO show that we continue with undiminished strength. At the same time, we must be clear about which academic priorities we will advance. The Department of Biological Sciences plays a key role in society across a broad spectrum of fields—and that responsibility does not diminish in a tight budget year.
Revenue from BOA (externally funded projects) is especially important for our income, and here BIO stands out as particularly strong. Our institute accounts for around 10% of UiB’s total BOA activity. On average, 2–3 new applications are submitted each week, and we often succeed in the tough competition for external funding. This is extremely important for us, and I am pleased to see high activity on the application front combined with excellent results. At the same time, we must continue working on developing new, high-quality applications so that we maintain and strengthen our existing level. We must use the current situation to think long-term, collaborate across disciplines, and be proactive where we have strengths. This is how we ensure quality and relevance—even when resources are tight.