About us

The Institute of Marine Research (IMR) is one of the largest marine research institutes in Europe, with about 1,030 employees. Our main activities are research, advisory services, and monitoring.

In January 2018, the IMR was merged with NIFES – the National Institute of Nutrition and Seafood Research.

Our headquarters are located in Bergen. We also have a branch office in Tromsø and research stations in Matre, Austevoll, and Flødevigen. In addition, our Research Vessel Department has ownership responsibility for the research vessels, which are our most important tools for collecting marine data. The institute also has several laboratories that analyze samples from monitoring and research programs. 

Research and advice from IMR contribute to ensuring that society can continue to utilize the ocean’s vast resources in a sustainable way in the future. We are a neutral knowledge, provider, working to make the results of our research known both nationally and internationally. 

The Institute of Marine Research is subordinate to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries, which provides  40% of our funding. The remainder is financed through external research grants.

Our vision: Knowledge and advice for rich and clean marine and coastal areas. 
Our ambition: We will be an international leader in marine research and advisory services. 
Our values: All our work must be based on integrity, creativity, interaction and respect. 
Our social mission: The Institute of Marine Research will be a leading supplier of knowledge relating to the sustainable management of the resources in our marine ecosystems and the whole food chain from the sea to the table.