1. Research program on mental health: http://goo.gl/VV02Ep There is a need to intensify Norwegian research on mental health. Knowledge about causal relationships, prevention and treatment is lacking in several areas. The primary objective of the PSYKISKHELSE programme is to generate knowledge that is relevant to promoting the mental health of the population. Research activities are concentrated in three specific thematic priority areas during this programme period.
These thematic priority areas are: research on the mental health of children and adolescents; research on transcultural factors and mental health; and treatment research, including research on comorbid substance abuse and mental health disorders. In each of these areas, it will be important to promote a cross-disciplinary approach and national and international cooperation. Projects included in the programme's portfolio must adequately incorporate gender perspectives and employ a user perspective with emphasis on patients' and relatives' own knowledge and experience.
Funding under the programme will primarily be channelled via investigator-drivenprojects, but the programme board may also decide to initiate projects in specific areas where a need for research has been identified. Conferences and other dissemination activities within the scope of the programme will also be organised.
2. Program on alcohol and drug research: http://goo.gl/BQOe2X The primary objective of the RUSMIDDEL programme is to generate more knowledge relating to patterns of alcohol and drug use and overall use of these substances, the causes of alcohol and drug problems, and how to prevent and treat these problems. Focus is placed on social as well as psychological and biological perspectives.
The programme's secondary objectives are:
To increase knowledge about alcohol use, consumption patterns and alcohol-related problems;
To further advance clinically relevant alcohol and drug research, by providing continued funding to the Norwegian Centre for Addiction Research (SERAF), among other measures;
To increase knowledge about doping and new illegal substances and problems linked to these;
To increase knowledge about addiction as a phenomenon and about gambling addiction;
To enhance knowledge about preventive measures that work and expand the knowledge base for developing preventive measures and treatment programmes as well as an effective drug and alcohol policy;
To increase the proportion of projects involving international partners;
To provide co-funding to a collaborative project with the US National Institutes of Health (NIH).
The programme's thematic priority areas are:
Alcohol and alcohol-related problems;
Continued support for clinically relevant alcohol and drug research;
Gambling-related problems and doping;
Drug policy.
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Katie Murphy
Staff Assistant
National Council of University Research Administrators
Washington, DC
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