Deadline: 06-May-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation – Grants for Educational Developments at Universities support innovative educational initiatives that strengthen creative and critical skills through science or engineering research-based teaching at universities within the Danish Realm, with funding available for up to three years.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has launched its Grants for Educational Developments at Universities to enhance and expand teaching methods that build students’ creative, analytical, and critical competencies through science or engineering research activities.
The programme is designed to equip students with the skills needed to address complex societal challenges, while supporting science and engineering educators in implementing new, research-based educational ideas. Projects must be anchored at universities and primarily target bachelor’s and master’s students within relevant disciplines across the Danish Realm.
Funding Overview
Approximately DKK 45 million is available for grants in 2026, with projects eligible for funding for up to three years.
Maximum budget quotas apply at the institutional level for Phase I submissions:
DTU, KU, and AU may each request up to DKK 20 million across a maximum of 7 projects
AAU and SDU may each request up to DKK 15 million across a maximum of 6 projects
ITU and RUC may each request up to DKK 8 million across a maximum of 3 projects
University of the Faroe Islands (FU) may request up to DKK 5 million for up to 2 projects
Greenland University may request up to DKK 2 million for 1 project
In addition to single-institution applications, joint projects involving two or more universities may also be proposed within a separate budget framework.
Eligible Costs
Funding may be used for expenses directly related to the development and implementation of the educational project, including:
Salaries linked to project work, including applicants, research staff, technical support, teaching assistants, and consultants
Operating expenses connected to project activities
Consumables and bench fees within defined limits
Travel related to project implementation
Communication and outreach activities
Limited administrative expenses
The Foundation does not fund commercial activities, overhead or indirect costs, or projects receiving overlapping funding from other sources. Applicants must declare any existing or pending funding and notify the Foundation if additional funding is secured after submission.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
Be employed at a university within the Danish Realm
Be actively engaged in educational development
Hold a position as assistant professor, associate professor, or full professor with a permanent or tenure-track contract, or have secured employment for the full project period
Each application must include:
A letter of support from the pro-dean for education or an educational leader at a similar or higher level
An expected change model outlining how the project will create educational impact
Application Process
The application process consists of two phases.
Phase I – Institutional Selection
Applications are submitted to and managed by the applicant’s university, which conducts internal selection according to its own procedures and the defined budget quotas. Each institution is responsible for ensuring compliance with funding limits and project caps.
Phase II – Foundation Evaluation
Selected applications are submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation for international external peer review and evaluation. Final funding decisions are communicated to applicants via email through the NORMA system.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated based on:
Quality and novelty of the project
Expected impact on education and student learning
Execution plan and evaluation strategy
Educational environment and collaboration
Competence and experience of the applicant and any co-applicants
These criteria guide both the internal university selection process and the Foundation’s external review.
Why This Grant Matters
By supporting research-driven educational innovation, the Novo Nordisk Foundation aims to strengthen university teaching in science and engineering while preparing students to think creatively, critically, and responsibly in addressing future societal challenges across the Danish Realm.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.