VISTA - an exceptional partnership
VISTA is a basic research programme funded by Statoil and conducted in close collaboration with The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters.
VISTA was established in 1985 to promote the co-operation between Statoil and academia in Norway and to strengthen the capacity and quality of science in areas of particular interest in the oil and gas industry.
Sleipner. Photo: Dag Myrestrand/StatoilThe objectives are:
- to establish efficient and multidisciplinary communication between Statoil and Norwegian basic research communities through The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters
- to stimulate and promote Norwegian scientists and basic research communities in priority areas
- to ensure efficient organization and competent human resources in basic research projects
The priority areas are:
- Exploration
- Improved recovery
- Oil and gas processing
- Environment
- Biotechnology
What does VISTA support?
VISTA supports PhD and Post Doc projects, and also VISTA Professorships. All VISTA projects are required to have a dedicated scholar and a project manager approved by VISTA and by the scholar's host institution. The project reports twice a year to VISTA. VISTA pays for salaries and covers project operation costs for PhD and Post Doc projects.
VISTA funds highly competent researchers to facilitate full-time research in their field of expertise. VISTA currently funds Professor Bjørn Ursin's professorship. Among previous VISTA Professors is Ivar Giæver, Nobel Laureate in Physics in 1973.
VISTA aims to fund approximately 20 projects on PhD and Post Doc level, in addition to VISTA Professorships, each year.
In 2008 the Academy’s secretary general, Reidun Sirevåg, and Svenn F. Utengen, chairman of the VISTA board, signed a new 5-year contract that contributes NOK 15 million annually to petroleum related basic research. Photo: Svein Erik Dahl/Samfoto) Since 1985 Statoil has contributed with more than NOK 250 million to the VISTA-programme. In 2008, Statoil and The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters signed a new 5-year contract that will contribute NOK 15 million annually for the period 2009 - 2013 to petroleum related basic research.
From 1985 - 1.1.2010 VISTA had funded a total of 222 PhD and Post Doc projects. VISTA has also funded 6 VISTA Professorships. Throughout VISTA's 25 years of operation, there have been more than 830 publications in international journals, among others in Nature and Science.
VISTA organizes two annual events; the VISTA-day at The Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, and the Scholars' day at Statoil's research center, Rotvoll, that brings together young scientists from VISTA projects.