Research Policy
Bifröst University is committed to strengthening its research culture and strategically expanding research infrastructure as a foundation for academic excellence and societal impact. As a growing institution with strong roots in interdisciplinary scholarship, we recognise that high-quality research is essential to advancing knowledge, enriching teaching, and contributing to the social, cultural, environmental and economic challenges faced by Iceland and the wider international community. With its research activities, Bifröst University is committed to contributing to the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Bifröst University works towards embodying the defining characteristics of an international research university—one that engages actively in global academic networks, promotes collaborative and cross-disciplinary research, offers clear research career paths, and upholds rigorous standards of integrity and quality.
This policy outlines the principles, structures, and responsibilities governing research activities at Bifröst University.
1. Research Governance & Responsibility
The University’s research strategy is developed in dialogue with the academic staff. Its execution is managed by the Executive Board, particularly by the Director of Research, the Deans, the Director of Quality, and the Rector.
The Director of Research is responsible for managing the research support services, research collaborations, and gathering and maintaining data regarding the University’s research activities and performance.
Director of Research and the Chief Financial Officer supervise the financial management of research funding.
The academic Faculties, led by the Deans, execute their research according to the principles of integrity, ethics, and academic freedom informed by the University’s and the Faculties’ research strategies.
The University’s Research Centres are managed by the Director of the Centre who is responsible for overseeing that the activities of the Centre are carried out in accordance with the University’s rules and policies.
The Academic Staff, Director of Research, the Deans, and the Rector are responsible for guaranteeing that the University’s research is conducted in accordance with the University’s Code of Ethics and recognised standards of research ethics.
2. Academic Research Staff
Bifröst University grants academic employees allocated time to devote a part of their working hours to research. The ratio of research to teaching is negotiated with the supervising Dean in preparing annual work plans, and it can be increased with external research funding.
The Deans, in collaboration with the Director of Research and the Director of Human Resources, manage the framework for academic career paths, including support linked to specific career phases such as early career support, research sabbaticals and the pursuit of Doctoral degrees. The Research Management Office disseminates information and offers training related to various aspects of academic research.
The University encourages its academic employees to collaborate with each other beyond the disciplinary borders and to initiate and participate in research projects and networks. Academic staff is endorsed to foster international research collaboration of high quality. The mid- and senior-career staff members are encouraged to strengthen their supervision and academic leadership skills by actively offering supervision to graduate students and taking on leadership positions in research projects and networks.
3. Research Integrity & Ethics
All research executed in the Bifröst University must follow the principles of good scientific practice and research ethics as stated in the University’s Code of Ethics. Research shall be conducted honourably with accountability and rigor, and according to good scientific practice.
Researchers shall always respect the will and rights of participants and take into full consideration their welfare and safety. Researchers will always maintain the integrity of their research and carry it out with fairness.
4. Evaluation of Research Performance
Bifröst University participates in the Evaluation System for Public Higher Education Institutions. Each academic staff member submits an annual research output report for evaluation and receives a corresponding amount of research points. The number of research points is considered in the annual negotiations about research time and in promotion to academic positions.
5. Research and Teaching
Bifröst University endeavours to enhance students’ research competence and interest in conducting research. The University seeks to foster inquisitiveness and develop teaching methods that reinforce students’ competencies in project work, critical thinking, innovation and development.
The academic staff are encouraged to connect research with teaching and inform students about developments in relevant research fields.
The University supports students in completing their Master’s theses and aims to offer possibilities to participate in the University’s research projects. The University further aims to provide pathways for students to pursue doctoral studies in collaboration with partner universities in the European University Alliance OpenEU.
6. Collaboration, Partnerships & Internationalisation
Bifröst University strives to develop research collaborations with higher education institutions, companies and societal organizations. The University attaches great importance to societal engagement and supports staff in linking their research to contemporary economic, political, environmental and societal challenges.
The University is committed to the idea that local and domestic collaboration can be strengthened through international partnerships and encourages research staff to engage actively in international projects, research networks, and other collaborative initiatives.
7. Funding & Grant Management
External funding is essential for international research collaboration and integration of early-career researchers into research projects. Bifröst University encourages its academic staff to apply for research funding from various sources including domestic and international research funders, companies and public institutions.
The Research Management Office supports staff members in applying external funding and the Director of Research and the Deans ensure that applications comply with the University’s rules and policies.
The Research Management Office and the Financial Services manage external research funding in collaboration with the academic grant holders, including accounting, financial reporting and auditing.
The University funds research activities through its internal Research Fund. The Fund receives project funding applications two times a year and maintains an open call for Research Conferences. In addition, the Professors are issued with Research Accounts, and the University provides grants for Research sabbaticals.
8. Open Science & Data Management
The University supports academic staff in publishing their research in an open-access formats in accordance with the University’s Open Access Policy, administered by the University Library and the Research Management Office.
The Research Management Office supports the preparation of data management plans and provides guidance on secure data storage and adherence to FAIR data principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable).
9. Publication & Dissemination
Academic employees shall publish the results of their research in peer-reviewed platforms operated by reputable publishers that fulfil academic quality standards. The University Library ensures that all the University’s scientific output is accessible through open access, unless special circumstances dictate otherwise.
Bifröst University is committed to communication with the public and encourages its academic staff to bring the research-based knowledge into public discussions and popularise their research post the peer-review process. The Director of Communications supports the staff in public and media relations.
Academic staff must use their Bifröst University affiliation in all publications related to their work at the University and acknowledge external funders. They shall respect the criteria for authorship and acknowledge other contributor roles according to the established academic standards.
The University encourages researchers to explicitly reference relevant SDGs in research proposals, project design and dissemination where appropriate.
This policy shall be reviewed as necessary, but at least every four years by the Executive Board in consultation with academic staff.
Reviewed at a meeting of the University Council, 20. August 2026
Approved by Rector 16. June 2026
Approved by the Education and Research Board 11. June 2026
Valid from the 20. August 2026
This is a translation of the document Rannsóknastefna. In the event of any discrepancies between the translation and the original text, the original shall take precedence.