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Apply for LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowship Program (Denmark)

Deadline: 19-Mar-2026

The LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowship Program provides DKK 12 million over five years to support emerging research leaders establishing or expanding independent skin research groups in Denmark. The fellowship funds ambitious basic, translational, epidemiological, and clinical research focused on advancing skin biology, skin disease understanding, and improved diagnostics and treatments.

Program Overview

The Dr Abildgaard Fellowship Program, announced by the LEO Foundation, is a prestigious long-term funding initiative designed to support promising, emerging research leaders in skin and skin disease research.

The fellowship enables talented researchers to establish or strengthen an independent research group at a Danish university, hospital, or non-profit research institution, while pursuing novel, high-impact scientific questions within dermatology and skin science.

The program emphasizes scientific ambition, independence, and long-term vision, providing stable funding that allows fellows to develop competitive international research profiles.

Research Focus Areas

The fellowship supports a broad spectrum of skin and dermatology research, including:

  • Basic skin biology research

  • Translational research connecting laboratory findings to clinical practice

  • Epidemiological studies on skin diseases

  • Clinical research addressing patient care and outcomes

Supported research themes include:

  • Biological and molecular mechanisms of skin diseases

  • Clinical challenges and quality-of-life impacts of dermatological conditions

  • Development of improved diagnostics and therapeutic approaches

  • Personalized medicine in dermatology

  • Integration of complementary disciplines such as data science and digital health

The program encourages innovative, interdisciplinary approaches that can significantly advance skin health.

Fellowship Funding and Duration

Grant Amount

  • Total funding: DKK 12 million

  • Funding period: 5 years

This long-term funding model provides fellows with financial stability and flexibility to adapt scientific direction as their research evolves.

Eligible Use of Funds

Grant funding may be used for:

  • Salaries for the fellow and research staff

  • Running and operational research costs

  • Equipment and laboratory infrastructure

  • Travel and research-related mobility

  • Publication and dissemination expenses

  • Limited relocation costs

All expenses must fall within the total grant cap of DKK 12 million.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility depends on the applicant’s research profile but all applicants must meet institutional and experience requirements.

Institutional Requirements

Applicants must:

  • Be full-time employed at a Danish university, hospital, or non-profit research institution, or

  • Have a confirmed agreement with a Danish host institution covering the fellowship period

Research Experience Requirements

Basic Science Applicants

  • Must have 2–8 years of research experience since completing their PhD

Clinical Science Applicants

  • Must hold an MD degree

  • Must have 2–8 years of post-PhD research experience

  • Must be able to dedicate 20–50% of working time to research activities during the fellowship

The fellowship is awarded to individual researchers who are expected to act as the primary scientific drivers of the project.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Skin diseases affect millions worldwide and often have long-term physical, psychological, and societal impacts.

The Dr Abildgaard Fellowship Program is important because it:

  • Builds long-term leadership capacity in dermatology research

  • Supports early independence for high-potential researchers

  • Encourages ambitious and creative science beyond short-term funding cycles

  • Strengthens Denmark’s position as a global hub for skin research

  • Enables sustained progress toward better diagnostics and treatments

How the Fellowship Works

Step-by-Step Application Process

  1. The applicant prepares a comprehensive research proposal in English, aligned with the fellowship’s objectives.

  2. Required appendices and institutional documents are compiled and submitted before the deadline.

  3. Applications undergo an initial eligibility and quality screening.

  4. International peer reviewers assess scientific excellence and leadership potential.

  5. Shortlisted candidates are invited to interviews.

  6. Final fellowship decisions are made following interviews and overall evaluation.

Application Requirements

Research Proposal Structure

The research proposal must include clearly defined sections:

  • Scientific abstract

  • Purpose and state-of-the-art

  • Research activities and methodology

  • Significance and expected impact

  • Research leadership, environment, and independence

Mandatory Appendices

Applicants must submit:

  • Letter of support from the host institution

  • Curriculum Vitae (CV)

  • Complete publication list

  • Letter of intent from a mentor at the host institution

Incomplete applications may be rejected without review.

Evaluation Process and Criteria

The selection process follows a two-step evaluation model.

Applications are assessed based on:

  • Scientific quality and originality

  • Ambition and feasibility of the research plan

  • Leadership potential of the applicant

  • Independence and capacity to build a research group

  • Strength of the research environment and institutional support

Shortlisted candidates are evaluated further through in-person interviews.

Key Dates and Timeline

  • Applications open: 16 January 2025

  • Application deadline: 2 April 2025 at 16:00 CEST

  • Interviews: 27 August 2025

  • Notification of results: Late September 2025

  • Earliest fellowship start date: 1 January 2026

  • Latest possible start date: 1 January 2027

Applicants must plan institutional commitments accordingly.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying without meeting the post-PhD experience requirements

  • Submitting an underdeveloped research leadership plan

  • Weak alignment between the research proposal and skin science priorities

  • Missing mandatory appendices or institutional confirmations

  • Underestimating the importance of independence and long-term vision

Careful preparation significantly strengthens competitiveness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is this fellowship open to researchers outside Denmark?

Applicants must be employed at, or have a confirmed agreement with, a Danish host institution during the fellowship period.

2. Can clinical researchers apply part-time?

Yes. Clinical applicants must commit between 20% and 50% of their time to research activities.

3. Is collaboration with other institutions allowed?

Yes. Collaborations are encouraged, but the fellow must remain the primary driver of the research.

4. Can the funding be used for relocation?

Limited relocation costs are permitted within the overall grant budget.

5. What language must the application be written in?

All application materials must be submitted in English.

6. How competitive is the program?

The fellowship is highly competitive and targets emerging leaders with strong scientific independence and ambition.

Conclusion

The LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowship Program represents a major opportunity for emerging research leaders to establish long-term, independent careers in skin science within Denmark.

With DKK 12 million in flexible funding over five years, the fellowship empowers researchers to pursue bold scientific ideas, build strong research teams, and contribute meaningfully to the global understanding and treatment of skin diseases.

For more information, visit LEO Foundation.