In this edition of NordForsk Magasin you can read interviews with the Norwegian Minister of Research and Higher Education, Tora Aasland and Chair of the Management Board for the Top-level Research Initiative, Rolf Annerberg. We also learn more about a PPP PhD research project on human embryonic stem cells (hESC), and Chair of the NordForsk Board, Gudrun Nordal shares her perspectives on the way forward.