Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters

[2] The purpose of a learned society in Christiania was to support scientific studies and aid publication of academic papers.

In the early twentieth century, Waldemar Christofer Brøgger (later the university's first rector) suggested a plan to strengthen the academy.

He established the Nansen Foundation, specifically tied to the academy to strengthen its economy.

Brøgger's goal was to employ own researchers to secure independence from the university, however this never happened.

[5] The purpose of the academy remained to advance science and scholarship in general through meetings, seminars and support of research and publications.

They helped in the establishment of other bodies, such as the early Institute for Comparative Research in Human Culture.

However, an entirely new source of funding was found, as Otto Lous Mohr suggested to use surplus from a state-owned, national lottery.

President of the Academy is professor of law, Hans Petter Graver (UiO).

[11] The Academy aims to fulfill its mission by initiating and supporting research, organizing meetings and international conferences, publishing scientific writings and appointing representatives to national and international bodies.

Each year, the Academy organizes at least 12 open meetings with topics covering a wide range of academic disciplines.