Apply for research funding

Employees of Polyfon’s cluster participants are welcome to apply for research funding. Researchers, peer support workers and managers may apply, and collaborative applications are encouraged.

The knowledge cluster aims to promote practice relevance and user involvement in research. Applications from employees in municipalities and healthcare organisations are therefore just as welcome as applications from staff at academic institutions.

Collaboration with external partners is highly encouraged. However, the project leader must be employed by one of Polyfon’s cluster participants.

You may apply for:

• funding for project expenses and/or the buy-out of time for an individual or group within the cluster
• funding to engage external expertise
• funding to employ student research assistants

You may also wish to review the overview of projects that have previously received funding.

Research funding from Polyfon can be seen in conjunction with the cluster’s other support schemes for collaboration and development, including development grants, dissemination grants, and Polyfon’s summer scholarship programme for students.

The scientific review committee assesses applications according to the following guidelines:

• Polyfon works within the field of music therapy and music and health.
• Public health-related projects in settings such as kindergartens, schools and local communities are as welcome as projects connected to healthcare practice.
• The cluster has an interdisciplinary focus. Applicants do not need to come from the field of music therapy, but they are expected to have considered relevant collaboration opportunities and to base their project proposal on available literature, including research in music therapy and music and health.
• Project quality is a key criterion. Applications are also assessed in light of the cluster’s vision, values, objectives and strategic priorities.
• Funding is intended to serve as seed funding. Applications should indicate potential for further academic development. Pilot projects that may provide a foundation for larger externally funded projects are particularly encouraged.
• Applications must demonstrate how user involvement will be facilitated wherever possible. In public health-related projects, participation may be realised through citizen science.
• Where relevant, applicants are encouraged to establish links with master’s or PhD projects.
• Priority will be given to applications that foster collaboration between two or more cluster participants.
• Applications must be formally and academically anchored within the relevant cluster participant organisation(s) and approved by the appropriate level of management.

Applications must be submitted via the online application form.

The application must include:

• a project summary (50–200 words). If funding is awarded, this summary will be published on Polyfon’s website
• details of the project leader (name, position, telephone number and email address)
• the responsible cluster participant and any collaborators within or outside the cluster
• details of the applicant’s immediate manager (name, telephone number and email address)
• the project title
• a project proposal (maximum 1,600 words) clearly presenting the background, research question(s), theoretical framework, methodology and ethical considerations. Where appropriate, the proposal may be structured using the IMRAD format
• literature and references (no word limit)
• a description of the project’s seed-funding potential (maximum 100 words)
• a timeline for implementation (maximum 100 words)
• the amount requested, own contribution, and budget details/funding plan
• dissemination plans (maximum 100 words)
• information on whether funding is being sought for a project that has previously received support from Polyfon. If so, the application must explain:
  • the current status of the project and what work remains
  • how previous funding has been used
  • why additional funding is required

In addition, applicants must upload an email from their immediate manager confirming approval of the application. See Economy and organisational anchoring for further information.

Funding requests must be between NOK 20,000 and NOK 200,000. For the autumn 2026 call, a total of NOK 400,000 is available for distribution.

Applicants are normally expected to provide an in-kind contribution at least equivalent to the amount requested. Such contributions may include allocated research time or paid leave for project work.

Where two or more cluster participants collaborate on a project, the in-kind contribution may be shared between them. In such cases, the application must clearly demonstrate organisational anchoring within each participating organisation and specify the contribution made by each partner.

Applications must be approved by the management of the relevant cluster participant. As part of the online application process, applicants must upload an email confirming that the specific application has been approved and that the cluster participant accepts responsibility for ensuring that any issues relating to data protection, research ethics approval, data processing agreements and similar requirements are appropriately addressed.

If funding is awarded, the grant will be paid to the applicant’s cluster participant organisation, which will be responsible for administering the funds.

Project leaders are encouraged to keep Polyfon informed about publications arising from projects that have received funding, and to share findings and experiences at relevant seminars and future Polyfon conferences.

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