Open Call: Collaborative Project Grants for Studying Ageing and Metabolic Dysfunction

Deadline: 03-Sep-2025

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is seeking proposals for its Collaborative Project Grants for Studying Ageing and Metabolic Dysfunction to deepen the understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind this connection, with the vision to improve the ability to predict, prevent and potentially treat age-related metabolic dysfunctions, thereby enhancing human health span.

Categories

• Collaborative research projects: The call will support collaborative research projects between two to three Nordic (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden) research groups. The proposed projects must include basic research, preferably combined with studies in animal models, human interventions or epidemiological research, linking molecular mechanisms with organismal ageing and metabolic health.
• Nordic Metabolic Ageing Research Network activities: To share knowledge and foster collaboration among the successful applicants (grantees), additional funding of up to DKK 2 million is allocated for activities related to creating a Nordic Metabolic Ageing Research Network for all the involved research groups. While individual projects will carry out their research independently as described in their research proposal, it is a requirement to enter the network and actively support and participate in its activities.

Funding Information

• A total of up to DKK 90 million is available for grants.
• Grants between DKK 10 to 15 million can be awarded for research projects lasting a 4-year period.
• A total of up to DKK 2 million will be awarded to one of the funded research projects to organise the Nordic metabolic ageing research network activities.

Eligibility Criteria

• The research project must be collaborative with a unifying vision and focus on understanding of the molecular mechanisms behind the connection between ageing and metabolic dysfunction.
• The administrating institution, the main applicant and the co-applicant(s) must have their main affiliation at a university, hospital or other non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.
• Main and co-applicants:
  • The main and co-applicants must be independent researchers, who have already established their own line of research or are in the process of establishing their own line of research.
  • The main applicant and co-applicant(s) must be equally participating and must each receive a substantial part of the grant budget (must be clearly specified in the application budget).
  • At least one of up to two co-applicants must be employed in another Nordic country than the main applicant.

Ineligibility Criteria

• Applications from Ph.D. students and postdocs will not be taken into consideration.

Assessment Criteria

• Assessment of the research projects:
  • Fit within the outlined purpose and research areas of support.
  • Scientific quality (originality and relevance), approach and impact of the research project, as well as the past performance (background, training, expertise) and research leadership potential of the main and co-applicant(s).
  • Equal contribution to the project by the main and co-applicants.
  • The collaborative nature of the project between, and preferably across ageing and metabolism research fields.

For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.