Deadline: 03-Feb-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has launched its Start Package Grants for Faculty Recruitment Q1 2026, a strategic funding initiative aimed at empowering Danish universities, hospitals, and non-profit research organizations to attract world-class researchers and establish new, independent research groups in Denmark.
The program supports the recruitment of exceptional candidates into tenure-track, associate, full, or clinical professor-level positions, helping to strengthen national research capacity and advance the Foundation’s long-term scientific and societal goals.
The Start Package Grant is designed to provide essential funding for institutions to build new research environments that align with the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s strategic focus areas—including health and life sciences, sustainability, natural and technical sciences, and other disciplines contributing to innovation and societal resilience. Funding must be used within four years to establish a new research group led by the recruited candidate, ensuring a solid foundation for long-term academic and scientific growth.
A total of up to DKK 120 million has been allocated for this round of Start Package Grants. The specific amounts available per grant depend on the position level and extend over a four-year period. Institutions may receive up to DKK 5 million for a tenure-track position at the assistant professor level, up to DKK 8 million for a position at the associate professor level, and up to DKK 10 million for a position at either the full professor level or as a clinical or clinical-chair professor.
To qualify for the Start Package Grant, several eligibility requirements must be met. The recruiting institution must be a recognized university, hospital, or non-profit research organization in Denmark. Each institution may submit one application per vacant faculty position and designated candidate, although there is no overall limit to the number of positions applied for. Prior to applying, the institution must have identified a top candidate for the position and conducted an objective evaluation through an appointment committee that includes at least two external members—one of whom must be international. If the candidate receives a grant, the institution must confirm within two months that the appointment has been co-signed by all parties; otherwise, the grant becomes invalid.
The candidate must demonstrate academic mobility and relocate to a new research institution as part of the recruitment process. Internal recruitment is not supported, even across faculties within the same institution. The candidate must not have been engaged in research at the recruiting institution for more than 12 of the past 36 months, excluding periods of leave. Dual appointments, such as clinical professorships spanning universities and hospitals, must meet the mobility requirement for both affiliations. Candidates may be recruited from within Denmark or abroad; however, Danish-based candidates must move into a higher academic role representing career progression. The mobility requirement does not apply to recruits transitioning from industry to academia.
The candidate’s research plan and scientific profile must align with both the institution’s and the Foundation’s strategies, and all applicants must be approved by a qualified appointment committee. The candidate must not begin their new position before the preceding grant call deadline (8 October 2025). If awarded, the candidate is required to establish their full-time research group within one year at the recruiting institution.
This grant offers a unique opportunity for Danish institutions to compete globally for high-caliber researchers, accelerate academic excellence, and build dynamic research ecosystems that drive innovation and scientific discovery.
For more information, visit NNF.
