The Ministry of Education and Research (Norwegian: Kunnskapsdepartementet) is a Norwegian government ministry responsible for early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, higher education, and scientific research. Its mandate centers on formulating national educational policy, administering academic institutions, and funding public research initiatives. Established in 1814 as the Ministry of Church and Education Affairs, it is one of Norway's oldest government ministries and took on its modern structure and name during 2000s administrative reforms.