Call for Proposals: Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant Programme

Deadline: 15-May-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant 2026 funds innovative research addressing major challenges in human infectious diseases, including pandemic influenza. The programme provides up to DKK 4 million for Nordic-only projects or DKK 7 million for Nordic–international collaborations for up to three years. Applications are open to senior researchers at Nordic universities, hospitals, or nonprofit research institutions, with the deadline set for 15 May 2026 (2:00 pm Copenhagen time).

Overview

The Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant Programme by the Novo Nordisk Foundation supports exploratory and innovative research with strong potential to address global challenges related to human infectious diseases.

The programme focuses on use-inspired research, meaning projects must advance fundamental scientific knowledge while clearly aiming to develop practical tools, strategies, or technologies that help prevent, detect, or combat infectious diseases.

The 2026 call emphasises projects that demonstrate:

• Strong scientific rationale

• Clearly defined research aims

• Demonstrated technical feasibility

• Potential for long-term impact beyond the grant period

Key Research Theme: Pandemic Influenza

One of the main focus areas for the 2026 call is Pandemic Influenza.

Research Priorities

Projects under this theme should address critical knowledge gaps related to influenza viruses and human infection.

Priority research areas include:

• Understanding viral infectivity

• Studying virus transmission mechanisms

• Investigating disease severity in humans

• Exploring interactions between influenza viruses and the human host

• Developing new tools or strategies to prevent or combat infections

The programme encourages research that improves preparedness for future influenza pandemics.

Funding Amount and Project Duration

A total funding pool of DKK 60 million is available for the 2026 grant call.

Two funding frameworks are offered depending on the collaboration structure.

1. Nordic-Only Projects

Projects with a single main applicant from a Nordic country may receive:

• Up to DKK 4 million

• Funding duration of up to 3 years

2. Nordic–International Collaborative Projects

Projects with:

• A Nordic main applicant

• One international co-applicant

may receive:

• Up to DKK 7 million

• Funding duration of up to 3 years

Budget Allocation Rules

• The budget does not need to be evenly split between collaborators.

• Any significant imbalance must be clearly justified in the application.

What the Grant Does Not Fund

Certain costs and project types are not eligible for funding.

Ineligible Expenses

The Foundation does not fund:

• Salary for the main applicant

• Commercial activities

• Overhead or indirect institutional costs

• Projects receiving double funding

Projects Considered Out of Scope

The following research activities are not supported:

• Surveillance-focused projects

• Infrastructure establishment or maintenance

• Clinical trials

• Microbiome research

• Phage therapy

• Projects not directly related to human health

• For-profit product development projects

The programme prioritises research that can translate into practical tools or interventions for infectious disease control.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility for the Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant is limited to experienced researchers working in Nordic countries.

Eligible Main Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be based at a university, hospital, or nonprofit research institution

• Be located in a Nordic country (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden)

• Hold primary employment at the institution from which they apply

• Have guaranteed salary coverage for the entire project period

Eligible Academic Positions

Applicants must hold one of the following positions or equivalent:

• Assistant Professor

• Associate Professor

• Professor

• Equivalent senior research position

Ineligible Applicants

The following researchers cannot apply as main applicants:

• Postdoctoral researchers

• PhD students

Participation and Collaboration Rules

The programme encourages collaboration while maintaining clear participation limits.

Application Limits

• A main applicant or co-applicant may only participate in one application under the 2026 call.

Existing Grant Holders

Researchers with an active Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant may apply only if:

• They are in the final year of their current grant

• The grant periods do not overlap

Encouraged Participation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation strongly encourages applications from:

• Early-career group leaders

• Women researchers

• Historically underrepresented groups in science

Research Project Requirements

Proposed projects must meet several scientific and strategic criteria.

Key Requirements

Projects must:

• Align with one of the 2026 thematic areas

• Be use-inspired, meaning driven by real-world applications

• Clearly describe research goals and methodology

• Demonstrate expected outcomes and long-term impact

Translation and Impact

Applicants must explain how their research could lead to:

• Improved disease prevention strategies

• New diagnostic tools

• Better therapeutic approaches

• Enhanced pandemic preparedness

Projects should show potential to translate scientific findings into real-world health solutions.

Application and Review Process

Applications are evaluated through a competitive review process.

Submission Requirements

Applicants must:

• Submit all materials in English

• Provide full disclosure of overlapping funding or submissions

• Ensure all documents meet the Foundation’s submission guidelines

Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed by the Novo Nordisk Foundation Committee for Infectious Diseases based on:

• Alignment with the programme themes

• Originality and innovation

• Scientific quality

• Methodological strength

• Feasibility of the research plan

• Potential for translation into practical tools

• Expected global health impact

The committee also evaluates:

• The track record and expertise of the main applicant and co-applicant

• The complementarity of the collaboration

• The career stage of the researchers

Application Timeline

Applicants should take note of the key dates for the 2026 funding call.

Important deadlines:

• Application Deadline: 15 May 2026, 2:00 pm (Copenhagen time)

• Review Process: Mid–2026

• Funding Decisions Announced: October 2026

Applicants are advised to submit early to avoid last-minute issues.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve the chances of success, applicants should consider the following strategies.

Demonstrate translational potential
Clearly explain how the research could lead to practical solutions for infectious disease prevention or treatment.

Focus on innovation
Highlight what makes the project novel or groundbreaking.

Provide strong scientific justification
Include a clear explanation of the research problem and why it matters.

Show collaborative value
For international collaborations, explain how partners bring complementary expertise.

Outline measurable outcomes
Describe what the project will achieve within the three-year timeframe.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid these frequent issues:

• Proposing projects outside the thematic areas

• Submitting research focused primarily on surveillance or infrastructure

• Including ineligible expenses such as overhead or applicant salary

• Failing to explain translational relevance

• Overlooking conflicts with existing funding

Careful compliance with the call guidelines improves the chances of funding success.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Novo Nordisk Foundation Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant?

It is a research funding programme supporting innovative projects that address major challenges in human infectious diseases, with an emphasis on translational and use-inspired research.

2. How much funding is available?

Projects may receive:

• Up to DKK 4 million for Nordic-only projects

• Up to DKK 7 million for Nordic–international collaborations

3. What is the total funding available for the 2026 call?

The Foundation has allocated DKK 60 million for the 2026 funding round.

4. Who can apply for the grant?

Eligible applicants are assistant professors, associate professors, professors, or equivalent researchers employed at Nordic universities, hospitals, or nonprofit research institutions.

5. Can postdoctoral researchers apply?

No. Postdoctoral researchers and PhD students are not eligible to apply as main applicants.

6. What types of research are not funded?

The programme does not fund projects focused on clinical trials, microbiome studies, phage therapy, surveillance systems, infrastructure development, or commercial product development.

7. When is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 15 May 2026 at 2:00 pm (Copenhagen time).

Why This Grant Matters

Infectious diseases continue to pose significant global health challenges, especially with the increasing risk of pandemics and emerging pathogens.

The Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant Programme helps researchers:

• Explore innovative scientific ideas

• Develop tools to combat infectious diseases

• Strengthen pandemic preparedness

• Bridge the gap between fundamental science and real-world application

By supporting high-impact research, the programme contributes to improving global health resilience.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant 2026 provides substantial funding for innovative research addressing human infectious diseases and pandemic preparedness. With up to DKK 7 million available for collaborative projects, the programme encourages high-quality research that combines scientific excellence with practical impact.

For researchers in the Nordic region, this funding opportunity offers a chance to develop transformative ideas that could lead to new tools, therapies, and strategies for combating infectious diseases worldwide.

For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.