Deadline: 03-Mar-2026
AI Snippet Summary
The Innovation Fund provides large-scale grants to support the transformation of Danish research and knowledge into innovative, market-ready products and technologies. With investments ranging from DKK 5 million to DKK 40 million, the programme focuses on societal impact, economic growth, healthcare improvement, and increased Danish export potential.
The Innovation Fund is inviting grant applications to accelerate the transformation of Danish research and knowledge into innovative products, technologies, and solutions with clear societal and economic value.
The programme is designed to bridge the gap between research and real-world application by supporting scalable innovations that strengthen Denmark’s competitiveness and contribute to public benefit.
What Is the Innovation Fund Programme?
The Innovation Fund programme is a strategic funding initiative that invests in research-based innovation with strong commercial and societal outcomes.
It supports projects that move beyond basic research and focus on developing practical, scalable solutions that can be adopted by industry, public services, and international markets.
Key Focus Areas
Funded projects must align with one or more of the following priority areas:
- Strengthening innovation based on Danish research and knowledge
- Developing products and technologies with clear societal and economic benefits
- Supporting improvements and efficiency in the healthcare system
- Enhancing company net incomes and competitiveness
- Increasing Danish export potential and international market reach
Projects addressing multiple focus areas are particularly encouraged.
Funding Scope and Budget
The programme has a total budget of at least DKK 100 million, supporting a limited number of high-impact innovation projects.
Funding details include:
- Minimum project investment: DKK 5 million
- Maximum project investment: DKK 40 million
- Funding supports development, testing, scaling, and validation of innovations
Projects must demonstrate a strong value proposition and credible pathway to implementation or commercialisation.
Project Duration and Timeline
Projects may run for a duration of 1 to 5 years.
This flexible timeframe allows both shorter-term development projects and longer-term innovation initiatives that require sustained research, validation, and scaling before reaching market readiness.
Who Is Eligible?
The programme supports broad, cross-sector collaboration. Eligible participants include:
- Businesses and companies
- Research institutions and universities
- Public institutions and authorities
- Other legal entities in Denmark or abroad
Any legal entity may participate as a project partner and receive funding, enabling international cooperation and strong partnerships between research, industry, and the public sector.
What Types of Projects Are Supported?
The Innovation Fund supports projects that:
- Transform research results and knowledge into practical innovations
- Develop new or significantly improved products or technologies
- Demonstrate clear societal value, such as healthcare improvements or sustainability gains
- Show strong economic potential, including revenue growth and export opportunities
- Have a realistic plan for scaling, adoption, or market entry
Projects should be solution-oriented and focused on real-world application rather than exploratory research alone.
Why It Matters
Turning research into innovation is critical for economic growth, public sector efficiency, and societal wellbeing.
By investing in high-impact projects, the Innovation Fund strengthens Denmark’s innovation ecosystem, supports knowledge-based businesses, improves public services such as healthcare, and enhances Denmark’s position in global markets.
How the Innovation Fund Works
Step-by-Step Process
- Identify research or knowledge with strong innovation and market potential.
- Form a consortium with relevant partners from industry, research, or the public sector.
- Define a clear innovation objective, societal impact, and economic value proposition.
- Develop a detailed project plan, budget, and timeline within the 1 to 5 year framework.
- Submit a grant application aligned with the programme’s focus areas.
- If approved, carry out the project and progress toward scalable, market-ready outcomes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting projects that focus solely on basic or exploratory research
- Failing to clearly explain societal or economic value
- Weak commercialisation or scaling strategies
- Lack of strong partnerships between research and industry
- Unrealistic budgets or timelines
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the total budget of the Innovation Fund programme?
The programme has a total budget of at least DKK 100 million.
How much funding can a single project receive?
Individual projects can receive between DKK 5 million and DKK 40 million.
How long can funded projects run?
Projects may run for a duration of 1 to 5 years.
Who can apply for Innovation Fund grants?
Any legal entity in Denmark or abroad may participate as a project partner, including businesses, research institutions, and public organisations.
Are international partners allowed?
Yes. International legal entities may participate as project partners and receive funding.
What types of outcomes are expected?
Projects are expected to deliver practical, scalable innovations with clear societal and economic impact, including improved healthcare solutions and increased export potential.
Is the programme focused on a specific sector?
No. The programme is sector-agnostic but prioritises projects with strong innovation potential, societal benefit, and economic value.
Conclusion
The Innovation Fund provides significant investment to transform Danish research and knowledge into high-impact innovations.
By supporting large-scale, collaborative projects with clear societal and economic value, the programme plays a key role in strengthening innovation, improving public services, and boosting Denmark’s global competitiveness.
For more information, visit Innovation Fund Denmark.