NTNU 2035 - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
Strategy 2026–2035
Health for a better world is the Faculty’s vision and contributes to the realisation of NTNU’s overarching vision: Knowledge for a Better World. NTNU’s core values guide all staff and students, influencing our thinking and behaviour. The Faculty’s strategy supports NTNU’s overall goals and values.
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences (MH) is responsible for research, innovation, education, and dissemination within the field of medicine and health. We aim to develop high-quality knowledge, competence, and value creation in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
MH is Norway’s largest educational institution in medicine and health, graduating nearly 2,000 candidates annually. Our activities span the four cities of Trondheim, Gjøvik, Ålesund, and Levanger. Approximately 1,700 individuals are employed at the Faculty, many in joint positions with the healthcare services. In 2025, the Faculty’s total budget was close to NOK 1.6 billion, of which approximately NOK 650 million came from external funding.
We offer a wide range of study programmes from bachelor’s to master’s and PhD levels, as well as continuing and further education. These include programmes in medicine, nursing, physiotherapy, social education, radiography, paramedicine, occupational therapy, audiology, midwifery, and public health nursing. Around 6,500 students are enrolled at the Faculty.
Our research encompass a broad portfolio, including several centres of excellence and research infrastructures, such as the Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) and its biobank. In 2014, two of our researchers, May-Britt Moser and Edvard Moser, were awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery of the brain’s navigation system.
The Faculty is organised into eight departments:
- Department of Health Sciences in Ålesund (IHA)
- Department of Health Sciences in Gjøvik (IHG)
- Department of Clinical and Molecular Medicine (IKOM)
- Department of Neuromedicine and Movement Science (INB)
- Department of Circulation and Medical Imaging (ISB)
- Department of Mental Health (IPH)
- Department of Public Health and Nursing (ISM)
- Kavli Institute for Systems Neuroscience (KIN)
High Academic Quality, Interdisciplinarity, and International Collaboration
Our academic activities shall be characterised by high standards of quality, collaboration across traditional disciplinary boundaries, and engagement with internationally leading academic institutions.
The goal of our research and innovation activities is to promote health both locally and globally. In collaboration with the healthcare services, we will further develop research and innovation across our academic breadth. We will take particular responsibility for basic research, while leveraging our strengths in medical and health technology.
We aim to increase funding from EU research programmes and major national calls such as the Research Council’s FRIPRO, Centres of Excellence (SFF), and Centres for Research-based Innovation (SFI).
We will educate competent, professionally confident, respectful, and critically thinking candidates with the ability to engage in interprofessional collaboration, innovative thinking, and lifelong learning. Our education programmes shall meet future healthcare needs by equipping the students with broad competencies, ranging from professional ethics and clinical skills to the use ofechnology and digital tools. Students shall encounter engaging educators, student-centred and innovative teaching methods, and clear expectations.
Driving Force for a Knowledge-Based Sustainable Healthcare System
We shall develop competence and knowledge that promote good health and contribute to a sustainable healthcare system through research, innovation, and education that strengthens students’ capacity for change, decision-making, and communication.
To contribute to new and sustainable solutions in healthcare, we will strengthen collaboration with other faculties at NTNU - particularly technological environments in health technology, digital interaction, artificial intelligence (AI), and health preparedness - as well as the humanities and social sciences.
The Trøndelag Health Study (HUNT) is a unique source of knowledge on public health and disease development. We will ensure that the HUNT data is managed and utilised for the benefit of future healthcare services.
Our staff and students shall contribute to knowledge-based dissemination to users and the general public. We will participate in public discourse and influence health policy priorities by promoting research-based knowledge.
Attractive Place of Study and Employment
We aim to be an attractive place of study by facilitating an inclusive learning environment and encouraging engagement in student volunteering and student politics. We will encourage student research and strengthen career pathways for young research talents.
We shall be a socially responsible and attractive employer, with leaders who facilitate individual development, effective communication, dialogue, and participation. Collaboration across organisational levels and campuses shall be encouraged for competence development and task resolution.
To ensure relevance in research, innovation, and education, it shall be attractive for healthcare professionals to hold joint or part-time positions at the Faculty. Together with St. Olavs Hospital, we will leverage the advantages of the integrated university hospital.
The Faculty shall strive for sustainability in all its activities, aiming to reduce environmental and climate impact.
Through recruitment, we shall seek to reflect society in terms of gender balance and diversity among staff and students.
Academic Freedom
Learning Organisation
World-Class Infrastructure
Collaboration with the Healthcare Services
Competent and Development-Oriented Administration
About the strategy
The Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences' vision and strategy embody NTNU's strategy. The strategic goals are further developed in the departments' strategies and priorities.
Annual action plans will contribute to operationalising the strategy and realising the vision for 2035. Action plans and measures are developed as part of the annual planning and budgeting process.