Allocation from the Icelandic Research Fund for the financial year 2021

15.1.2021

The Icelandic Research Fund is the leading competitive fund in Iceland. The fund grants projects in all areas of science, from grants to doctoral students to excellence grants. Grants of excellence are awarded for major projects that excel in their field and have an international connection. In recent years, financial contributions to the fund have been around ISK 2.5 billion, but in accordance with the Science and Technology Policy Council's policy approved last year, funding was increased to ISK 3.7 billion in 2021.

The number of new projects and the total amount of allocations have never been higher. Grants for new projects amount to ISK 1.3 billion this year, but since the projects are generally for three years, the total cost will be around ISK 4 billion in the years 2021-2023. In addition to grants for new projects, almost ISK 2 billion will be paid to projects of previous allocations. The Research Fund will also support the participation of Icelandic parties in internationally funded projects.

Below is an overview of the breakdown between types of grants. Further analysis is found on the Research Fund's website. Amounts may change as a result of contract negotiations and information published may include typos.

Grants of excellence (all expert panels)

A total of 31 applications for excellence grants were received and 9 were funded, or 29%.

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Kristín Jónsdóttir, Corentin Caudron, Thomas Lecocq	Icelandic Meteorological Office	Seismic tremor for real-time tracking of Natural Hazards in Iceland	34.285
Slawomir Marcin Koziel	Reykjavik University-Department of Engineering	Design-Oriented Computationally-Efficient Forward and Inverse Surrogate Modelling of High- Frequency Structures	47.455
Bjarni Bessason, Rajesh Rupakhety, Sigurður Erlingsson	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Seismic risk in Iceland	47.003
Hans Tómas Björnsson	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Role of Epigenetics in Disease Determined through Analysis of Machinery Disruption	54.679
Eiríkur Steingrímsson	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	The role of MITF in phenotype switching in melanoma	36.769
Sigurður Yngvi Kristinsson	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Early Detection and Intervention in Smoldering Multiple Myeloma: population-based screening and treatment	50.670
Viðar Örn Eðvarðsson, Runólfur Pálsson	Landspitali University Hospital	Adenine Phosphoribosyltransferase Deficiency: Mechanisms of Kidney Injury and Treatment Individualization	49.281
Valdimar Hafstein	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Symbiotic Living: Human-Microbial Relations in Everyday Life	50.415
Árni Daníel Júlíusson,Ramona Harrison	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Power, Wealth and Pandemic in Two Valleys: Svarfaðardalur, Hörgárdalur and their hinterlands ca. AD 870–1500	42.116

Project grants

A total of 194 applications for project grants were received and 38 were funded, or 20%.

Physical Sciences and Mathematics (23%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Pavel Bessarab	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Stability of topological magnetic textures beyond skyrmions	19.883
Friðrik Magnus	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Amorphous multilayer magnets for spintronics	18.750
Benjamín Ragnar Sveinbjörnsson	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Brush polymers with cyclic and/or divalent side chains	18.750
Sveinn Ólafsson	Science Institute-University of Iceland	2D Rydberg matter of Hydrogen	18.353
Gianluca Levi	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Ultrafast Charge and Energy Transfer in Sunlight Conversion	15.550
Olgeir Sigmarsson	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Hekla magma system	14.260

Engineering and technical science (19%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Mohammad Adnan Hamdaqa	Reykjavik University-Department of Computer Science	A Framework for Building Secure and Reliable Proof-Carrying Blockchain Applications	18.135
Antonios Achilleos, Anna Ingólfsdóttir,Luca Aceto	Reykjavik University-Department of Computer Science	Mode(l)s of Verification and Monitorability	17.908
Jón Tómas Guðmundsson	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Electron power absorption and plasma chemistry in capacitively coupled discharge	16.925
Páll Melsted	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Efficient algorithms for single cell RNA-Seq	16.298
Magnús Már Halldórsson	Reykjavik University-Department of Computer Science	Constrained Distributed Symmetry Breaking	13.085
Kamilla Rún Jóhannsdóttir	Reykjavík University-Department of Psychology	A reliable real-time fatigue risk management framework for ATC	4.388

Natural and environmental sciences (21%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Isabel Pilar Catalan Barrio	Agricultural University of Iceland	Herbivores in the tundra: linking diversity and function	20.546
Ingibjörg Svala Jónsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Trapped in a degraded state? Tundra ecosystem responses to grazing-cessation	19.938
Filipa Isabel Pereira Samarra	University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres	The role of ecosystem stability for the ecological specialisation of marine top predators	19.770
Tómas Grétar Gunnarsson	University of Iceland's Institute of Research Centres	Ecological and evolutionary drivers of migratory behaviour in birds	18.363
Anna Guðrún Þórhallsdóttir, Jón Guðmundsson	Holar University	The effects of long-term grazing exclusion on carbon sequestration and soil carbon storage in grasslands	12.251

Life sciences (18%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Pétur Heidarsson	Science Institute-University of Iceland	Extremely disordered chromatin remodeling proteins: A single-molecule approach to mechanistic detail	20.523
Georgios Kararigas	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Role of CXCR4 in pressure overload-induced myocardial hypertrophy	19.888
Sigríður Rut Franzdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Pontin and Reptin in neuronal proteostasis	18.750
Petur Henry Petersen	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Transcriptional regulation of neuronal activity	18.750
Erna Magnúsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	A Rhox - code for mouse primordial germ cells	18.663
Sara Sigurbjörnsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	A zebrafish model for analysis of the role of Smoothened in osteoarthritis	15.306

Clinical studies and public health (20%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Reproductive mood disorders in women – etiology and impact	17.884
Emma Marie Swift, Helga Zoéga	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	The Birth-SAGA study: an epidemiological approach to uncovering determinants of negative birth experiences	17.848
Birna Baldursdóttir	Reykjavík University-Department of Psychology	Effect of School Based Ambient Bright White Light Intervention on Adolescents´ Circadian Activity Rhythms and Sleep	17.615
Magnús Gottfreðsson	Landspitali University Hospital	Improving the etiologic diagnosis of community-acquired pneumonia requiring hospitalization	14.852

Social and Educational Sciences (19%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Guðrún Valgerður Stefánsdóttir, Sigurður Gylfi Magnússon	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Bíbí in Berlin. Disability Studies and Microhistory – A New Academic Approach	19.081
Þórhildur Halldórsdóttir, Inga Dóra Sigfúsdóttir	Reykjavík University-Department of Psychology	Coronavirus: Impact on adolescent mental health problems & harmful behaviors	18.833
Thomas Brorsen Smidt, Guðbjörg Ottósdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Queer Refugees in Queer Utopias: Inclusions and Exclusions	18.738
Silja Bára Ómarsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Liberalizing Abortion Rights amidst Global Backlash: Cases from Iceland and Ireland	18.350
Guðrún Ragnarsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Education	Upper secondary education and the COVID-19 ban on gatherings: Crisis, challenges, and adaptability	17.289
Ásta Jóhannsdóttir, Kristín Björnsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Education	Disability in the Time of Pandemic	17.285
Valdimar Sigurðsson	Reykjavik University-Department of Business Administration	Consumer Behaviour Analysis and Sustainable Healthy Food Promotion	7.284

Humanities and the Arts (21%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Margrét Eggertsdóttir	The Arni Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies	The sacred and the profane. Comparative studies in the reception and transmission of popular and religious literature in late pre-modern Iceland.	18.750
Irma Jóhanna Erlingsdóttir, Ásdís Rósa Magnúsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	The French Wave in Icelandic Theatre: 1960-2000	17.866
Einar Freyr Sigurðsson, Jim Wood	The Arni Magnusson Institute for Icelandic Studies	Syncretism: A window into the interface of syntax and morphology	16.749
Árni Heimir Ingólfsson	Iceland University of the Arts	Exiled Musicians from Nazi Germany and Austria and Their Role in the Development of Musical Life in Iceland, 1935–1974	8.813

Postdoctoral fellowships

A total of 75 applications for Postdoctoral fellowships were received and 17 were funded, or around 23%.

Physical Sciences and Mathematics (21%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Muhammad Taha Sultan	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Tunable photodetectors for application in spectrometers	9.705
Kasper Elm Heintz	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Fast Radio Bursts: An Enigma and a Tool	9.538
Helgi Sigurðsson	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Polaritonic Neuromorphic Computing	8.865
Hera Guðlaugsdóttir	University of Iceland-Science Institute	The long-term climate impact after major high-latitude and equatorial volcanic eruptions	8.113

Engineering and technical science (20%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Anna Bergljót Gunnarsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Electrochemical ammonia production by electrode-electrolyte engineering	10.000
Atefe Darzi	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Quantification of the Reliability of an Operational Bayesian Earthquake Forecasting System for Iceland	9.870

Natural and environmental sciences (13%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Camilo André Ferreira Carneiro	University of Iceland-Institute of Research Centres	How can trophic interactions alleviate environmental change effects in the sub-Arctic?	9.595

Life sciences (67%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Jorgelina Ramos	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Age-dependent and sex-specific mechanisms of musculoskeletal physiology	9.873
Andrea Garcia Llorca	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Mitf mutations with impaired autophagy and retinal disease	9.705

Clinical studies and public health (20%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Þórir Einarsson Long	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Monoclonal gammopathy and kidney disease	8.715

Social and Educational Sciences (27%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Marco Solimene	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Houses in Bosnia and Shacks in a Roman Camp. Multi-sited House- and Home-making Practices Among Bosnian Roma Refugees	9.836
Jón Gunnar Ólafsson	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Media, Democracy and Fake News in Iceland	9.705
Inga María Ólafsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Mapping and tracking visual object representations through development	9.705

Humanities and the Arts (21%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Skafti Ingimarsson	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Communist Lives: Approaching the Icelandic Communist Movement from a Biographical Perspective. The Role of Einar Olgeirsson.	10.615
Valgerður Pálmadóttir	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Women bringing societies to a standstill Icelandic womens strikes and their international influences	9.575
Caroline R. Batten	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Whole Holy Healthy Body and Self in Medieval Scandinavia	9.534
Hjalti Snær Ægisson	Other	The Bessastaðir Translations	7.455

Doctoral fellowships

A total of 102 application for Doctoral fellowships were received and 18 were funded, or around 18%.

Physical Sciences and Mathematics (31%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Rohit Goswami	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Magnetic interactions of itinerant electrons modelled using Bayesian machine learning	6.650
Mohammad Hussein Ali Badarneh	University of Iceland-Science Institute	Energy-efficient control of spin textures	6.480
Yorick Leonard Adrian Schmerwitz	University of Iceland-Science Institute	Energy Transfer in Semiconductor Quantum Dots Studied Using Nonadiabatic Dynamics and Reaction Path Calculations	6.355
Helga Kristín Torfadóttir	University of Iceland-Science Institute	The petrological architecture of the plumbing system below Oraefajokull volcano, Iceland.	6.480

Engineering and technical science (13%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Michelangelo Diamanti	Reykjavik University-Department of Computer Science	Agora: Unified Framework for Crowd Simulation Research	6.625
Bjarni Örn Kristinsson	Reykjavik University-Department of Engineering	Systems Analysis of the Interaction Between Air Transportation and Economic Activity: The Analysis of Iceland in a Global Context	6.625

Natural and environmental sciences (60%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Stephen John Hurling	Agricultural University of Iceland	Distribution, population dynamics and conservation status of Iceland's nocturnal seabirds	6.660
Quentin Jean Baptiste Horta-Lacueva	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Mechanisms of reproductive isolation between sympatric morphs of Arctic Charr	6.615
Tatiana Marie Joséphine Marchon	University of Iceland-School of Engineering and Natural Sciences	Ecological and social drivers of acoustic communication in killer whales (Orcinus orca)	6.333

Lifesciences (14%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Marta Sorokina Alexdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Health Sciences	Tracking trophoblasts in human placental development and preeclampsia	6.800

Social and Educational Sciences (17%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Paola Cardenas	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Social support, Acculturation, and Mental Health of Children and Young Adults who Seek Asylum in Iceland	6.625
Daði Rafnsson	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	The 5Cs as a behavioural analysis and intervention method in elite soccer	6.625
Eva Hrönn Árelíusd. Jörgensen	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Anthropological Study on the Experiences of Icelandic Adolescents of the COVID-19 Pandemic	6.480
Anna Kristina Regina Söderström	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Reading is succeeding: culture of reading in contemporary Iceland	6.330

Humanities and the Arts (19%)

Principal investigator	Project accounting	Title	ISK (thousand)
Nikola Machácková	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	A Study in Textual Transmission: Egils rímur and the “Younger Egla”	6.825
Alexandra Louise Tyas	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	Community underwater archaeology: A collaborative archaeology project in Iceland	6.675
Jonas Koesling	University of Iceland-School of Humanities	The Sea in Early Icelandic Culture: An Eco-Cognitive Study of Human–Sea Relations in Mediæval Iceland	6.638
Ólöf G. Sigfúsdóttir	University of Iceland-School of Social Sciences	Rethinking Research in Museums	6.615

The information published may include typos.

Amounts may change as a result of contract negotiations.