The Norwegian Academy of Literature and Freedom of Expression (Det Norske Akademi for Litteratur og Ytringsfrihet) is a Norwegian institution, founded in 2003, and also called Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson-Akademiet. Its objective is to promote understanding of cultures other than our own and for literary free speech. The membership includes Norwegian and foreign students, authors, politicians and journalists. The organization's 2005 President is Knut Ødegård. The current members of the committee include Peter Normann Waage, Marit Bjørnson Barkbu (a descendant of Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson), Thorvald Steen, Øystein Hauge, Kristian Gerner and Kari Vogt. The chief administrator is Hilmar Windstad of Molde.
The association annually awards the international (Bjørnsonprisen) which includes a cash award of 100,000 kroner (approximately 12,500€).
Recipients of the award were:
The prize ceremony is held in the fall in conjunction with the annual seminar held at the historic Bjørnson house in Molde.