Written and maintained by CASRAI Editorial Board
Last updated
Stiftelsen Dam (the Dam Foundation) is one of Norway’s largest grant-making foundations for health projects and health research, and it funds that work through voluntary organisations rather than directly. The detail that trips up most outside readers is the route: an individual researcher or project leader cannot submit an application alone. An approved applicant organisation (søkerorganisasjon) submits it and carries responsibility for the project. This guide explains that model in English, the four programmes, and the order of steps on the foundation’s own site, which is published in Norwegian. Details below were checked on dam.no on 2026-10-29; amounts, deadlines and call dates change, so confirm them on the programme pages before you plan.
What Stiftelsen Dam is
Stiftelsen Dam is a Norwegian foundation that supports health projects and health research carried out through voluntary organisations. The name is an acronym for deltakelse, aktivitet og mestring (participation, activity and coping or mastery). The foundation was established on 9 March 1993 as Stiftelsen Helse og Rehabilitering, building on work begun in 1989 by the Norwegian Cancer Society (Kreftforeningen), the Norwegian Association of the Blind and Partially Sighted (Norges Blindeforbund) and the Norwegian National Association for Public Health (Nasjonalforeningen for folkehelsen). It was renamed ExtraStiftelsen Helse og Rehabilitering from 2010, and later Stiftelsen Dam.
Its money comes from the Extra game run by Norsk Tipping, the Norwegian state gaming operator. Since 1 January 2016 the foundation has received 6.4 percent of the Extra game’s profits. As of 18 January 2026 the foundation reported NOK 6.8 billion distributed to 16,365 projects.
Who can apply
The foundation’s answer to “Kan jeg få støtte?” (Can I get support?) is that it supports health projects and health research through voluntary organisations. Eligible purposes include work for greater participation and equality for people with disabilities, preventive health work, rehabilitation, habilitation, care work and public health work. Projects can address services and measures for people with disabilities, chronic or acute illness, their relatives, and information work.
The applicant organisation
Every application must go through a voluntary organisation that holds applicant rights (søkerrett) in the foundation. The organisation submits the application and is responsible for the project if it is funded. If you are not a volunteer, member or employee of such an organisation, the foundation says you can enter into a collaboration with one, and that you must make the first contact yourself.
Member organisations and Ekspress
The foundation distinguishes between applicant organisations and its member organisations (medlemsorganisasjoner). Check the Ekspress programme page for which of them can use that programme.
How an organisation gets applicant rights
According to the foundation, organisations with a democratic governance structure and health as their main activity can apply to be approved as an applicant organisation. The site has a “Bli søkerorganisasjon” (Become an applicant organisation) page and a separate set of guidelines for applications for applicant rights and membership.
How to apply, step by step
- Check fit. Read “Kan jeg få støtte?” and confirm your idea has a health purpose of the kinds listed above.
- Look at funded projects. The foundation points to the project library (Prosjektbiblioteket), which lists projects it has previously supported, so you can see whether something similar has been done.
- Find an applicant organisation. Use “Finn søkerorganisasjon” on dam.no. Contact the relevant organisations early.
- Choose the programme by size. The purpose is the same across programmes; what differs is the amount and the process. See the table below.
- The organisation creates the application in Damnett. Damnett (damnett.no) is the foundation’s application system. The organisation submits the application through this system, so agree with it who fills in the form.
The four programmes
The programme pages describe the following. Amounts and rules follow the foundation’s programme pages as checked on 2026-10-29; check each page before relying on them.
| Programme | Amount (NOK) | Process and timing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ekspress | See the programme page | See the programme page | The smallest programme; the requested amount largely decides which programme you apply to |
| Helse (Health) | 40,000 to 400,000 | No deadline; applications are processed continuously; a response within 45 days | Projects above NOK 400,000 go to Utvikling |
| Utvikling (Development) | 400,000 to 1,500,000 | Two steps: a short sketch (skissøknad), then a full application for the highest-ranked; rolling processing introduced from autumn 2025, with no deadline for sketches; normally up to 45 days per step | Smaller projects go through Helse |
| Forskning (Research) | See the programme page | One call a year, published in November; sketch deadline 15 February, extended application deadline 10 June | The foundation’s largest programme; about a third of its funds go to it |
The research programme in more detail
Forskning funds health research that serves target groups in Norway. The programme page lists the sketch deadline as 15 February and the extended application deadline as 10 June, and says the call is published once a year, in November. The page also mentions a screening form; read the programme page and its FAQ for what that step requires, and for the language the forms must be completed in.
How applications are assessed
The FAQ has a section on how applications are handled and who handles them, and a question on whether a rejection can be appealed. Read those answers on dam.no before you plan a resubmission.
Common problems
- Applying as an individual. No application is accepted without an applicant organisation. Start by finding one, not by filling in a form.
- Choosing the wrong programme. Size decides the programme. A request between NOK 40,000 and NOK 400,000 belongs in Helse; between NOK 400,000 and NOK 1.5 million, Utvikling.
- Waiting for a deadline that does not exist. Helse has no deadline, and sketches for Utvikling have none either, so these can be submitted at any time of year. Forskning is the exception, with one call a year.
- Reading only English sources. The foundation’s site is in Norwegian, so use the Norwegian labels in this guide when you search it.
How it compares with other funders
Stiftelsen Dam is a foundation funder whose route to a grant runs through eligible organisations. For the general mechanics of this kind of funding, see our guides on private foundation research funding and on how disease-focused charities fund research. For the vocabulary, see the dictionary entries for research funder, foundation grant and Funder ID. If your application describes user involvement, our entry on patient and public involvement (PPI) covers the concept.
FAQ
What does Stiftelsen Dam do?
It funds health projects and health research in Norway through voluntary organisations, using a share of Norsk Tipping’s surplus.
Can I apply to Stiftelsen Dam on my own?
No. An approved applicant organisation must submit the application and take responsibility for the project. If you are not connected to one, you contact one yourself and agree on a collaboration.
What does Dam stand for?
Deltakelse, aktivitet og mestring: participation, activity and coping (mastery).
How much can I apply for?
It depends on the programme: NOK 40,000 to 400,000 (Helse) and NOK 400,000 to 1.5 million (Utvikling). Check the Ekspress and Forskning pages for those programmes.
When is the deadline?
Helse has no deadline, and Utvikling sketches are processed on a rolling basis. Forskning has one call a year, published in November, with sketch and extended-application dates listed on the programme page. Always check the official site for the current call.
Can I appeal a rejection?
The foundation’s FAQ has a question on this. Read its answer on dam.no before deciding what to do next.
What is the application system called?
Damnett, at damnett.no.
Sources
All sources checked 2026-10-29.
- Stiftelsen Dam, dam.no (home page)
- Stiftelsen Dam, Om Stiftelsen Dam (about, history, totals as of 18 January 2026)
- Stiftelsen Dam, Kan jeg få støtte? (eligibility and applicant organisations)
- Stiftelsen Dam, Ofte stilte spørsmål (frequently asked questions)
- Stiftelsen Dam programme pages: Ekspress, Helse, Utvikling and Forskning
- Application system: Damnett
