About NGI

NGI was formally established as a research institute on 1 January 1953 under the auspices of the Royal Norwegian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (NTNF). In 1985, NGI was turned into an independent commercial foundation. On 1 January 2024, the operational activities (research and consultancy) were transferred to Norges Geotekniske Institutt AS, a limited company that is 100% owned by the foundation NGI.

Research and consulting hand-in-hand

We combine geotechnical knowledge and technology to develop smart and sustainable solutions in infrastructure on land and at sea, in environmental technology, contaminated soil, and natural hazards such as landslides and avalanches. Our research provides knowledge that contributes to solving some of the most important challenges the world faces concerning climate, the environment, energy, and societal security.

Research and consulting are combined hand-in-hand at NGI and we strive to be a bridge-builder between academia, industry, and the public sector.

We have offices in Norway, Houston, and Perth that together constitute an open and sharing organization that is passionate about developing our disciplines.

Supported by research

NGI’s research must be relevant for industry and the public sector, such that our results are used by the market and benefit society. This research must be of high quality, and peer-reviewed by publishing in international journals. 

Our societal mission is to develop the geosciences and produce the knowledge basis to build, live, and travel on safe ground. We solve this by combining research and consulting hand-in-hand and being a bridge-builder between academia, industry, and the public sector. 

NGI is a part of the scheme that provides basic state funding. We use this basic funding to build long-term knowledge and expertise relevant for the future. Additionally, NGI is an active contributor within the EUs research programs, and we cooperate closely with industry and business life in Norway and internationally within research and development.

International player

Knowledge, research, and innovation go beyond national borders. Good solutions require international expertise and collaboration. NGI has always had and will continue to develop an international community and an international scientific perspective.

An international presence through offices, exchange, recruitment, and participation in research and consulting projects is fundamental for us to fulfill our social mission and to create value for our customers and partners. 

NGI is world-renowned as a center for geotechnical engineering and engineering-oriented geosciences. We have offices in Norway, the US, and Australia, including internationally-recognized laboratories.

We recruit the best minds worldwide and are one of the foremost locations for geotechnical expertise. 

Geotechnical engineering of the future.

NGI is a not-for-profit foundation funded through external projects. Good operations and adequate profitability provide financial leeway and opportunities to invest in expertise, research, innovation, and research infrastructure that contribute to our societal mission. 

NGI aims to help resolve society’s challenges through research, knowledge, and the adoption of new technologies. There is an increasing need for greater knowledge and new solutions in our disciplines and market areas, and we are growing to meet this need.

Understanding of soil behavior, analysis, and observational monitoring

Geomaterials are far more complex than most other engineering materials. 
We are among the best at understanding and analyzing materials in geoscience 
issues we encounter.

We use three core skills to approach the geoscience challenges and problems:

• understanding material properties through field- and laboratory testing
• analysis and modeling
• performance monitoring

We continuously embrace these three core skills throughout our processes. Together, these constitute the core of NGI’s work.