Meet Uruguayan/Italian PhD student Francisco Beltran, who in 2024 received funding for a month’s exchange from KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm to Norweigan University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim. Read Francisco’s own words about his exchange experiences below, such as: 

  • What he did  
  • What he learnt  
  • His impression of the Nordics as an integrated region 
  • Advice to others who wish to apply for funding for an exchange period 

Francisco Beltran is a doctoral student at KTH Royal Institute of Technology.

Professional pastime, pizza and a pregnancy

My research stay at NTNU was an incredible experience! It was my first time working with a different research group since starting my PhD, and doing so at another university in a different country made it even more memorable. Everyone was welcoming from the start, making it easy to integrate both professionally and socially. I’ve previously lived in Uppsala for a year, and I found Trondheim to have a similar vibe. The city is surrounded by nature, making it perfect for cycling, hiking, or even kayaking along the river and sea.  

One of the things that surprised me the most was the number of university-sponsored extracurricular activities. For example, the department books a sauna by the sea once a month for everyone, creating a great opportunity to connect beyond daily work interactions. I was lucky to attend two of these sessions during my five-week stay. They also organised PhD-postdoc research seminars, where young researchers from completely different fields gave short presentations, followed by pizza and discussions, which created a relaxed but valuable networking experience. Another tradition was their weekly running sessions, which switch to skiing sessions in winter. I find this to be a true reflection of the Nordic way of life! 

Professionally, the exchange was incredibly enriching. I had the opportunity to learn from colleagues working on similar topics, share ideas, and build long-lasting collaborations. However, what made this experience truly unique was that just a few weeks before traveling, me and my partner found out we were expecting our first baby. Also, the first time we saw our baby was through an ultrasound in Trondheim. This made the entire experience even more special on a personal level. 

Francisco kayaking with his partner.

Fresh insights that benefit work in the long term

One of the biggest lessons from my exchange at NTNU was how much stepping into a new research environment can shift your perspective. Being exposed to different approaches made me rethink some of my own methods and assumptions, reinforcing the value of interdisciplinary collaboration. 

I also saw how research culture influences teamwork. At NTNU, discussions were informal yet highly engaging, with some of the most valuable insights coming from spontaneous conversations rather than formal meetings. 

Finally, I realised how important mobility is for researchers. Experiencing another academic setting firsthand expanded my network and gave me fresh insights that will benefit my work long-term. It showed me that collaboration isn’t just about emails and online meetings, it’s about being in the same space and learning through direct interaction. 

Many common challenges that would benefit from a more coordinated approach

The Nordic region is very well-integrated in terms of energy infrastructure, as well as culturally and socially. There is a strong sense of regional connection, and organisations like Nordic Energy Research and participation in EU-funded projects facilitate collaboration. However, one of the biggest challenges to deeper Nordic integration is the structure of research funding. Each Nordic country has strong national funding bodies with streamlined application processes, which is a clear advantage for researchers within each country. This, however, also makes cross-border collaboration less appealing, as national funding is often easier to secure and requires less administrative effort compared to international opportunities. 

A major issue is that many international funding programmes come with higher administrative burdens, longer approval times, and lower funding rates, often not covering 100% of project costs. This creates a real disincentive, especially for universities and research institutes that are already under financial pressure (at least in Sweden). With well-established national funding schemes available, it’s understandable why researchers often choose the simpler route rather than investing extra effort in complex international applications with uncertain outcomes. Addressing these structural differences would be key to fostering stronger cross-border collaboration. 

In my case, both my host at NTNU and I are working on very similar research questions – questions that could easily fall within a single cross-border project. However, since our research is funded separately by national bodies, we are limited in how much we can formally collaborate, share research infrastructure, computer models, and expertise. This is a missed opportunity, as many of the challenges we are addressing are common across the Nordic region and would benefit from a more coordinated approach.   

That’s why I believe having a body like Nordic Energy Research is crucial. It plays a key role in bridging this gap, supporting collaboration where national funding structures fall short. Finding the right balance between national funding autonomy and cross-border collaboration would strengthen Nordic research even further, ensuring that shared challenges are tackled collectively rather than in parallel. 

Advice for others who want to apply for Individual Exchange Support

I highly recommend applying! A research stay offers an excellent opportunity to broaden your academic perspective, establish international collaborations, and gain insights into different research approaches. Preparing a clear research plan and actively engaging with the host institution ensures a productive exchange. Also, embracing the cultural and social aspects of the experience enhances both professional and personal growth. It is additionally a great opportunity to discover a new city and its surroundings, as well as a different culture. 

Do you want to apply for Individual Exchange Support?

Nordic Energy Research’s Individual Exchange Support programme provides a unique opportunity for PhD students, postdocs, and researchers in the Nordic region to secure financial support for research that contributes to the region’s sustainable energy development.

Read more about the programme here

Apply for funding here

For any questions about the call, feel free to contact Senior Adviser Maj Dang Trong or Adviser Ditte Stiler.