Research in the Faroe Islands

A thriving and growing culture

Research landscape

There is a thriving and growing research culture in the Faroe Islands, with several institutes, laboratories, museums and private companies working on original research projects.

International collaboration is essential to the quality of Faroese research and innovation. Faroese researchers participate in many international networks, and the Faroese research and innovation landscape is to a large extent anchored in international partnerships.

higher education sector

Education and research

The Faroe Islands have one university - The University of the Faroe Islands.

The University of the Faroe Islands

The University of the Faroe Islands - Fróðskaparsetur Føroya - is a research and education institution.

Research is conducted in a number of fields that are being taught at the university. The university collaborates closely with other research institutions and with private companies in certain research areas. The university also collaborates with several universities in neighbouring countries.

The university has five faculties.

Faculty of Faroese Language and Literature

The Faculty of Faroese Language and Literature conducts research on Faroese language and literature and lectures in these fields.

The faculty offers BA and MA degrees in Faroese. Subject to special regulations, candidates may also study for a Ph.D. in linguistics or literature.

Faculty of Education

The Faculty of Education offers degrees and professional qualifications for school teachers and social educators. The faculty conducts and promotes research in education and didactics.

Faculty of History and Social Sciences

The Faculty of History and Social Sciences offers degrees and conducts research in the areas of history, politics, economics, and ethnology.

Faculty of Health Sciences

The Faculty of Health Sciences educates nurses and arranges training for nurses and nursing staff.

Faculty of Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology offers higher education and conducts research in geophysics, information technology and biology.

research institutes

Health, biology and environment

There are several governmental research institutes in the Faroe Islands. The institutes mainly conduct research in marine, natural and medical sciences.

Some of the institutes also have specific tasks assigned by the government, e.g. to make proposals concerning the exploitation of fish stocks and recommendations on health related issues.

Most institutes have substantial collaboration with international research institutes on joint research projects. A growing part of the research is financed by national and international research foundations.

Medicine, Public Health and Genetics

The Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health

The Department of Occupational Medicine and Public Health (in Faroese) - Deildin fyri Arbeiðs- og Almannaheilsu - has considerable experience in Faroese and international medical research.

The department has presented research results which have generated great international interest.

The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands

The National Hospital of the Faroe Islands - Landssjúkrahúsið - has in recent years been involved in a growing number of research projects. Several projects have been initiated in collaboration with the Genetic Biobank with participation of both foreign and local researchers.

The Genetic Biobank

The Genetic Biobank - Ílegusavnið - is a governmental institution with a mandate to organize, develop and administer a Tissue Registry (biobank), a Diagnosis Registry and a Genealogy Registry.

The Biobank processes applications for permission to access and study the information contained in these registries.

Marine Biology

Faroe Marine Research Institute

Faroe Marine Research Institute - Havstovan - conducts research on marine climate and ecosystems in Faroese waters with the emphasis on commercially exploited fish stocks. Fisheries technology and methods are also studied.

The institute conducts regular research cruises with its research vessel, Magnus Heinason.

The institute cooperates with a number of research groups in other countries and participates in Faroese, Nordic and European funded projects.

Aquaculture Research Station of the Faroes

Aquaculture Research Station of the Faroes - Fiskaaling - is a limited company, owned by the Faroese government.

The company conducts, develops and provides advice within the farming of water-based animals and plants and within bio-technology. It also conducts commercial activities within this field of activities.

The research station cooperates with Faroese and international research environments as well as with the aquaculture industry.

Earth and Environmental Sciences

The Faroese Geological Survey

The Faroese Geological Survey - Jarðfeingi - is the national geological survey of the Faroe Islands. It conducts research and geological mapping onshore as well as offshore, and all relevant data is stored in the national geological archive.

The directorate is responsible for all administrative tasks relating to petroleum exploration and exploitation activities as well as electrical energy in the Faroe Islands.

The Environment Agency

The Environment Agency - Umhvørvisstovan - conducts research on pollution in animals, humans, nature and urban areas. The institute maintains an environmental specimen bank with various biological items suitable for further research.

The institute also conducts targeted research, i.e. impact and environmental status assessments, upon agreement with the government, municipalities, the Danish environmental agency and other stakeholders.

The Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority

The Faroese Food and Veterinary Authority - Heilsufrøðiliga Starvsstovan - carries out statutory control and laboratory checks within the food and veterinary fields and undertakes research and development in connection with these tasks.

The institute participates in Faroese, Nordic and international research programmes related to fish disease and food hygiene.

The Agricultural Agency

The Agricultural Agency - Búnaðarstovan - carries out statutory control and tests within the agricultural field and undertakes research and development in connection with these tasks.

The agency participates in several international research programmes.

National Heritage

The National Museum

The National Museum - Tjóðsavn Føroya - collects, catalogues and exhibits archaeological and biological specimens.

The museum participates in several international research programmes.

The specific focus areas of the research in the biological field are Faroese ecosystems and biodiversity, whales and seals, climate change, nature in the north and bird ringing.

The National Archives

The National Archives (in Faroese) - Landsskjalasavnið - conducts research in administrative and political history and in urbanization and demography.

The institute collects and preserves documents of historical value or of administrative and legal importance to citizens and authorities.

The institute also prepares the Genealogy Registry which is part of the Genetic Biobank.

The institute participates in Nordic and Arctic research programmes.

industrial sector

Private research programmes

The industry participates in several research projects conducted by governmental research institutes. A few private companies have research programmes of their own.

Research Park iNOVA

Research Park iNOVA is a scientific environment in Tórshavn providing access to modern laboratories, high-end instruments, offices and event location for private companies and public institutions.

The research park was created as a part of a coordinated effort by the government and an array of the largest private enterprises on the islands to improve the scientific infrastructure of the Faroe Islands.