In 2008-2009 NORFACE introduced a transnational research programme with the theme Migration in Europe - Social, Economic, Cultural and Policy Dynamics. The programme had a total budget of almost 29 million € and granted funding to twelve transnational projects. The objectives of the programme were:
- To advance globally excellent theoretical and methodological disciplinary, inter-disciplinary and comparative research on migration which builds synergetically on a pan-European basis
- To take advantage of and develop the informal laboratory of experience, knowledge and data which migration in Europe currently presents
- To motivate and support excellence and capacity building for research on migration on a cross-national basis throughout the NORFACE countries
- To develop understanding and promote research-based knowledge and insight into migration for issues of societal, practical and policy relevance, with theoretical foundations but worked on jointly with relevant users and experts.
In June 2009 the NORFACE Network Board decided to grant funding to twelve successful projects. The projects granted funding and their Principal Investigators are:
- Understanding Migrants' Choices, Dr. Jackline Wahba, University of Southampton, United Kingdom (more info)
- Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study in Four European Countries, Professor Frank Kalter, University of Leipzig, Germany (more info)
- Integrated Modeling of European Migration, Dr. James Raymer, University of Southampton, United Kingdom (more info)
- 500 Families: Migration Histories of Turks in Europe, Dr. Ayse Guveli, University of Essex, United Kingdom (more info)
- Migrant Diversity and Regional Disparity in Europe, Professor Peter Nijkamp, VU University Amsterdam, The Netherlands (more info)
- Migration: Integration, Impact and Interaction, Professor Jonathan Wadsworth, CReAM, University College London, United Kingdom (more info)
- Nordic welfare states and the dynamics and effects of ethnic residential segregation, Professor Mari Vaattovaara, University of Helsinki, Finland (more info)
- Causes and Consequences of Early Socio-Cultural Integration Processes Among New Immigrants in Europe, Professor Claudia Diehl, University of Goettingen, Germany (more info)
- Social Integration of Migrant Children: Uncovering Family and School Factors Promoting Resilience, Dr. Birgit Leyendecker, Ruhr University Bochum, Germany (more info)
- Transnational child-raising arrangements between Africa and Europe, Professor Valentina Mazzucato, Maastricht University, The Netherlands (more info)
- Temporary Migration, integration and the role of Policies, Professor Giovanni Facchini, Centre for Economic Policy Research, United Kingdom (more info)
- Theorizing the Evolution of European Migration Systems, Professor Robin Cohen, University of Oxford, United Kingdom (more info)
Professor Christian Dustmann, University College London has been selected the Programme Director. His responsibilities cover the scientific coordination of the programme.