National network for competence on Russia (RUSSNETT 2025)

By fostering closer cooperation and dialogue between academia, civil society, and government, the network seeks to ensure the long-term sustainability and robustness of Russia-related expertise in Norway – particularly in a time of significant changes.

Through expanded activities and a clearer national and Nordic anchoring, the network will serve as a platform for knowledge exchange and professional development, promoting synergies across disciplines and sectors.

Key activities include:

• Thematic seminars and roundtable discussions
• Knowledge notes
• Secondment and exchange schemes
• Research workshops with Nordic participation

The network is coordinated by the Norwegian Institute of International Affairs (NUPI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who fund the project.

This project builds on the previous Research Council-funded Russia Network (RUSSNETT), which primarily functioned as a research network composed of leading institutions in the field. This research network continues as a core component of the new national initiative. Its board remains in place and includes representatives from the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research (NIBR), the Norwegian Defence Research Establishment (FFI), the Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI), the Norwegian Institute for Defence Studies (IFS), Nord University, the Norwegian University of Life Sciences (NMBU), the University of Bergen, the University of Oslo, and UiT The Arctic University of Norway.

Read more about the project's activity in 2026: National network for competence on Russia (RUSSNETT 2026)

Read more about the network’s launch: NUPI: Nytt nasjonalt nettverk skal styrke kunnskapen om Russland.

Stay informed – subscribe to the newsletter: The Russia Network Newsletter.

Read our latest newsletters: Newsletters archive