What Nordlandsforskning does

Nordlandsforskning AS is a private Norwegian social science research institute headquartered in Bodø and operating since 1979. It is the only social science research institute in Norway with both ownership and head office located in the north of Norway, and conducts applied research across welfare society, public planning and administration, labor and digital transformation, climate, nature and energy transition, and maritime and coastal communities. Its methodology is built on social science research techniques — qualitative methods (interviews, case studies), quantitative analysis, follow-up research (følgeforskning), policy analysis, and action research — rather than on proprietary software or AI products. Outputs consist of research reports, academic publications, evaluation studies, and policy recommendations that are made available through the institute's website, newsletter, and media relations.

The institute serves Norwegian public-sector clients almost exclusively. Named commissioning bodies include Barne-, ungdoms-, og familiedirektoratet (Bufdir), Husbanken, Statsforvalteren i Nordland, Arbeids- og inkluderingsdepartementet, and Statsforvalteren i Møre og Romsdal, alongside Norwegian municipalities and a small number of non-profit housing foundations such as Sortland Boligstiftelse. It has also taken on international research leadership, most recently heading a new European project on future food systems (April 2026). The institute is small, with 11–50 staff, and holds Miljøfyrtårn (Environmental Lighthouse) certification. Leadership consists of Managing Director André Wallann Larsen and communications advisor Tarjei Abelsen.

Revenue is generated through commissioned research contracts awarded via tender processes and ongoing relationships with government agencies, county governors, municipalities, and public institutions. Projects are typically multi-year engagements with defined deliverables, funded by entities such as the Norwegian Research Council, directorates, and ministerial departments. Recent strategic activity includes the establishment of MEA – Forskningssenter for hav- og kystsamfunn (a marine and coastal communities research center) with a 12.4 million NOK budget framework in July 2026, deepening of the OsloMet-NOVA partnership around the BOVEL housing and welfare research center, and an active build-out of an AI-policy research vertical on algorithmic management and municipal AI adoption.

Name

Nordlandsforskning

Legal name

Nordlandsforskning AS

Website

https://nordlandsforskning.no

Company type

Private

Founded year

1979

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Nordlandsforskning is a private Norwegian social science research institute founded in 1979 and headquartered in Bodø, the only such institute with both ownership and head office in northern Norway. It conducts commissioned applied research for Norwegian government agencies, municipalities, and public institutions across welfare, coastal communities, digital transformation, and climate topics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Bodø

HQ country

Norway

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Commissioned Research Contracts: Nordlandsforskning generates revenue through commissioned research contracts with government agencies, municipalities, and public institutions. Projects are funded by Statsforvalteren, Husbanken, Barne-, ungdoms-, og familiedirektoratet, and other Norwegian public sector bodies. The institute has operated as a socially useful research institute since 1979.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Nordlandsforskning conducts commissioned social science research for Norwegian government agencies, municipalities, and public institutions. The institute produces applied research reports, evaluations, and follow-up research (følgeforskning) across welfare society, public planning, labor and digital transformation, climate and energy transition, and maritime and coastal communities. Revenue is generated through research contracts awarded via tenders and direct commissioning from public sector bodies.

Product overview

Nordlandsforskning is a social science research institute based in Bodø, Norway, founded in 1979. It operates as a knowledge-producing organization rather than a product company, conducting applied research across multiple domains including welfare society, public planning and administration, labor and digital transformation, climate, nature and energy transition, and maritime and coastal communities. The institute produces research reports, academic publications, and evaluation studies for government agencies, municipalities, and research councils.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• MEA – Forskningssenter for hav- og kystsamfunn (MEA Research Center for Marine and Coastal Communities)
• Senter for bolig- og velferdsforskning (BOVEL – Center for Housing and Welfare Research)
• Commissioned Social Science Research
• Følgeforskning (Follow-up Research)
• Labor and Digital Transformation Research
• Organizational Restructuring Evaluation

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• OsloMet-NOVAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration between Nordlandsforskning (contract partner) and OsloMet-NOVA for the Senter for bolig- og velferdsforskning (BOVEL) housing research center. Partners jointly conduct housing and welfare research projects.
• Digipro HelseminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigipro Helse was responsible for operation and professional development in the 'Bærekraftige og digitale storkjøkken' project conducted in Salten region municipalities.
• Statsforvalteren i Møre og RomsdalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNordlandsforskning conducted evaluation research of the organizational restructuring at Statsforvalteren i Møre og Romsdal from 2024.
• Miljøfyrtårn (Environmental Lighthouse)minorOthersNordlandsforskning displays the Miljøfyrtårn (Environmental Lighthouse) certification badge on their website, indicating environmental certification.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• NORCE Norwegian Research Centre: NORCE is one of Norway's largest broad-based research centers with substantial social-science and public-policy research — comparable as a Norwegian commissioned-research provider but operating at much larger scale and thematic breadth than Nordlandsforskning.
• SINTEF: SINTEF is Norway's largest independent research organization with social-science and policy units — comparable in operating as a Norwegian commissioned research provider, but at vastly greater scale and thematic breadth.
• NTNU: NTNU hosts substantial social-science research departments and applied research centers that compete for the same Norwegian public-sector commissions — comparable in research domain but as a much larger university-based incumbent.

Direct peers

• Nordregio: Nordregio is a Nordic intergovernmental research center for regional development and planning — comparable in its regional development, public-sector, and applied social-science research focus, though serving the wider Nordic level rather than Norway alone.
• Vista Analyse: Vista Analyse is an Oslo-based Norwegian research consultancy producing economic, social, and policy analysis for ministries and agencies — comparable in size, methodology, and its commissioned-research-for-government business model.
• Fafo: Fafo is an Oslo-based Norwegian applied social research institute focused on labour, welfare, and public policy research — closely comparable to Nordlandsforskning in mission, methodology (commissioned research for government), and customer base.
• Møreforsking: Møreforsking is a regional Norwegian applied research institute in Møre og Romsdal — directly comparable to Nordlandsforskning as a regionally anchored, multi-disciplinary social-science research outfit serving public commissioners.
• Telemarksforsking: Telemarksforsking is a regional Norwegian applied research institute — comparable as a regionally based social-science research organization that commissions and delivers applied research for Norwegian municipalities and agencies.
• NIFU (Nordisk institutt for studier av innovasjon, forskning og utdanning): NIFU is a Norwegian social-science research institute conducting studies on innovation, research policy, and higher education for government agencies — directly comparable in being a non-university applied research institute serving Norwegian public-sector commissioners.
• Samfunnsøkonomisk analyse: Samfunnsøkonomisk analyse is a small Oslo-based Norwegian research consultancy delivering economic and social analyses for government clients — comparable in size, professional-services model, and Norwegian public-sector customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Nforsk
• Facebookfacebook.com/nordlandsforskning
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nordlandsforskning

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Nordlandsforskning