Deadline: 24-Nov-2025
Submissions are now open for the NNF Prize for Science Teachers in the Teacher Education Program to recognize and highlight special efforts to educate and qualify the Kingdom’s future educators who work with nature, outdoor life and science.
The award is aimed at teachers at the Danish National Colleges of Education’s teacher education programmes. Teachers who teach within the specialization of daycare pedagogy with a special focus on science pedagogy, mathematical awareness and sustainability may be considered. The main criterion is that candidates have made a special contribution within one or more of these focus areas.
The annual prize is awarded in the Kingdom of Denmark and consists of DKK 550,000. This includes a personal honorarium of DKK 50,000 for the recipient and DKK 500,000 for the university college, dedicated to developing science education. The institutional portion can be used for experimental equipment, excursions, upgrading facilities, or development projects. In addition, participation and accommodation for the award recipient at the Big Bang Conference 2026 are included.
Student teachers and colleagues are welcome to suggest candidates, but official nominations must come from the head of education, dean, or rector at each university college, with the nominated teacher’s consent. Multiple candidates may be nominated from the same institution, and teachers previously nominated but not awarded are encouraged to reapply.
In the selection process, emphasis is also placed on candidates: Educates, qualifies and motivates future educators. Develops, uses and shares inspiring science teaching methods. Participates in collaborations in relation to several focus areas and/or on the transition from daycare to primary school. Contributes to promoting a stimulating scientific environment that qualifies students and colleagues. Not all criteria need to be met for a nominated teacher to be considered.
The deadline for submitting applications is November 24, 2025, at 12:00 noon. Award recipients will be selected by the Novo Nordisk Foundation Teaching Awards Committee and notified directly during February 2026. The official award presentation will take place at the Big Bang Conference in 2026.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.