International research talent plays a crucial role in innovation, economic development and long-term national competitiveness. At the same time, recent data shows that many highly qualified foreign researchers leave Norway after completing their PhD or after only a short period in the labour market.
Commissioned by the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Research and the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, Future Place Leadership (FPL) worked alongside Menon Economics and Advokatfirmaet Lund & Co to produce the report “Foreign Research Competence in Norway – An assessment of opportunities and barriers to attracting and retaining highly qualified foreign researchers in Norway”.
In this project, Future Place Leadership was responsible for analysing Norway’s ecosystem for international talent, with a specific focus on researchers, PhD candidates and STEM master’s students. The work included:
- Mapping national, regional and local initiatives related to attraction, reception and integration
- Identifying key ecosystem actors that play a role in strengthening Norway’s position as a research and career destination and to facilitate both reception and integration
- Analysing opportunities for stronger coordination and long-term governance based on the TAM Wheel (Talent Attraction Management) – a model developed by FPL and currently used at national level in both Sweden and Finland
As part of the assignment, FPL also conducted international benchmark studies in Singapore, Canada, the Netherlands, Finland and Sweden, identifying best practices, governance models and concrete initiatives that have delivered strong results in attracting and retaining international research talent.
Key insights
Among other findings, the report highlights that:
- Foreign nationals account for a growing share of Norway’s R&D workforce, underlining the increasing importance of international talent for the country’s research and innovation capacity.
- Norway performs relatively well in attracting and educating international researchers, but faces clear challenges when it comes to long-term retention. Similar patterns can be observed in many other countries.
- International competition for experienced and leading researchers is intensifying. In recent years, many countries have committed substantial funding to attract top international researchers—particularly following significant cuts to research funding in the United States. Economic incentives have proven to be an effective policy tool in this context.
- As a result, well-functioning ecosystems for attracting, welcoming and retaining international talent are becoming increasingly critical. A coordinated and well-organised system for attraction, reception and long-term integration emerges as a key success factor.
- Norway, like several other countries, faces challenges in matching researchers with private-sector employers, limiting career opportunities for international researchers and increasing the risk of losing valuable talent for innovation. Countries with established programmes that facilitate collaboration and career pathways between academia and employers tend to be more successful in retaining international talent.
Based on the analysis, the report proposes several measures to strengthen Norway’s long-term capacity to attract, integrate and retain international research talent, and to position the country as an attractive and sustainable career destination.
Read press release from the Norwegian government:
Download the report here.
Report – International researchers in Norway
