Student Involvement in Research

On this page you will find information about how you, as a student, can get involved in research. As a student, you can apply for funding to engage in research during your studies.

Student research is about more than research-based teaching. It is about actively involving students in research, as co-creators of knowledge, as bridge-builders between academia and practice, and as the researchers and innovators of the future. 

In a time when society faces major transitions and an increasing need for new knowledge, we cannot wait for research results to slowly find their way into practice. Students represent a unique and partly underutilised resource in this work. When students participate actively in research projects, research-based knowledge can be put into use more quickly, to the benefit of working life, education, and society as a whole. 

Are you a bachelor's or master's student? 

As a student at HVL, you can apply for financial support to participate in and carry out a research project under academic supervision, anchored at HVL. The criteria for applying for funding can be found in the link below. 

The next deadline to apply for seed funding is 1 October 2026.

The Student Research Award

Purpose 

The prize is intended to recognise students who have distinguished themselves through particularly high quality in research and development (R&D) work, and who through their work have contributed to academic development, new knowledge, or innovation. 

Criteria for the award 

Nominated candidates are assessed according to the following criteria: 

Academic quality 

The work meets a high scientific or academic standard, demonstrates sound methodological execution, and shows originality and innovative thinking. 

Relevance 

For example: contribution to academic development, societal relevance or practical application, as well as potential for further research or implementation. 

Dissemination 

Academic dissemination through, for example, presentations at conferences, publication, or other forms of dissemination. 

Who can be nominated? 

  • Students at bachelor's, master's, or continuing education level 
  • Individual work or group projects may be nominated 

Nomination process 

Who can nominate? 

  • Academic staff 
  • Supervisors 
  • Study programme leaders 
  • Students may also nominate themselves with support from a supervisor 

External Funding

Why is student research important? 

National guidelines are clear. Higher education must be research based and built on relevant research and development work. HK-dir and the Norwegian Association of Higher Education Institutions point to the integration of research and education as a central quality objective. 

But the ambition reaches further than this. We are moving from an ideal of research-based-teaching toward research-integrated education, where students do not just learn about research, but actively participate in it. 

Student involvement in research: 

  • strengthens critical thinking and analytical skills 
  • provides deeper academic understanding 
  • increases motivation and learning outcomes 
  • develops competencies attractive for future employees  

At the same time, student involvement has an important societal function: Students who participate in research bring new knowledge directly into the field of practice. They can serve as catalysts for the implementation of research results and contribute to faster integration and innovation. 

Research at the faculties 

Are you a student interested in connecting with research? Check out the research groups at your faculty below and get in touch with relevant research environments. 

If you are unsure about the opportunities available to you, please contact the StudentFORSK team. 

The Establishment of StudentFORSK 

  • StudentFORSK is HVL's team that actively works to promote student involvement in research at HVL. The team works to strengthen the role of students as active participants in knowledge development, not only as recipients of research-based teaching, but as co-researchers in real research processes. 
  • StudentFORSK was established on the initiative of the Pro-Rector for Education and the Pro-Rector for Research. The mandate was approved on 23 February 2025. 
  • The background for the establishment was the need for more systematic facilitation, better incentive structures, and stronger institutional anchoring of student involvement in research across academic environments and campuses. 
  • The main objective of the work is to develop proposals for incentives and structures that make it easier and more attractive to involve students in HVL's research. 

What have we worked on so far? 

StudentFORSK has so far: 

  • Mapped attitudes and experiences related to student involvement in research at HVL 
  • Gathered perspectives on incentives and barriers to participation 
  • Identified good examples and existing initiatives at the faculties 
  • Developed proposals for concrete measures and possible implementation 
  • Established a structure for further work and anchoring within the Pro-Rector lines 

The work has highlighted both the engagement and the potential that exists among students and staff, but also the need for incentives, better systems and infrastructure. 

What will we continue to work on? 

StudentFORSK will: 

Plan and carry out annual dissemination activities focused on student involvement in research 

We plan and carry out events on student involvement in research where staff, students, and the field of practice are engaged. Examples may include events during the annual Researchers' Days in September. 

Visibility and sharing 

  • Share good examples, methods, and tools for student-active research 
  • Build this website as a resource and meeting place 
  • Spread knowledge through digital channels, conferences, meetings, and possibly research articles 

Follow-up and implementation 

  • Follow up on initiatives 
  • Report regularly to the Pro-Rectors on progress and needs 
  • Work on the infrastructure surrounding student involvement 

Incentives and instruments 

  • Develop proposals for criteria for the announcement of small research grants at the faculty level 
  • Propose structures that lower the threshold for participation 

Point of contact 

StudentFORSK serves as a point of contact for questions and initiatives related to student involvement in research at HVL. 

Our ambition 

Our ambition is to contribute to an institutional culture where students, from early in their studies, see themselves as active participants in knowledge development. 

We want closer interaction between students and staff, where collaboration on research strengthens learning, innovation, and societal contribution alike. 

Through systematic work, StudentFORSK will help develop a more holistic and sustainable practice for student involvement in research at HVL, in line with both national guidelines and the institution's own strategic objectives. 

Contact us 

  • Are you curious about how you can get involved in research? Get in touch with us at StudentFORSK@hvl.no or contact: 
  • Ann-Katrin Grotle, Associate Professor Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences 
  • Elisabeth Grov Beisland, Associate Professor Department of Health and Caring Sciences 

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