RFPs: Excellence Emerging Investigator Grant Program

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Excellence Emerging Investigator Grant Programme supports early-career research leaders in endocrinology and metabolism to establish independent research groups at Nordic institutions. The programme offers up to DKK 12.5 million per grant over five years, focusing on high-impact, internationally competitive research with whole-body relevance, and includes an interview stage in April 2026.

Overview

The Excellence Emerging Investigator Grant Programme is designed to strengthen the next generation of research leaders in endocrinology and metabolism while promoting Nordic research at a high international level.

The programme supports ambitious, independent research projects that advance fundamental knowledge and improve prevention or treatment of metabolic and endocrine diseases.

Research Focus and Scientific Scope

The call supports research within endocrinology and metabolism, with a central focus on cellular energy homeostasis and hormonal disorders.

Eligible research approaches include:

• Patient-based and clinical practice studies

• Translational and experimental research

• Animal models

• Cellular and molecular systems

• In silico and computational approaches with clear whole-body relevance

Eligible Subfields

All subfields of endocrinology beyond diabetes are eligible, including:

• Thyroid disorders

• Reproductive endocrinology

• Bone, calcium, and mineral metabolism

• Endocrine regulation of metabolism and energy balance

Excluded Topics

• Cancer research is excluded

• Exception: studies on endocrine tumours are allowed if the focus is on hormonal signalling or crosstalk rather than cancer development or progression

Funding Structure and Grant Size

The funding framework allows for up to four grants in this call.

Total funding available is up to DKK 50 million.

Each grant provides:

• Approximately DKK 2.5 million per year

• Funding duration of five years

• Maximum total budget of DKK 12.5 million per grant

The foundation aims to award at least one grant to an active clinician researcher.

What the Grant Funds

Eligible costs include:

• Salary support for the grant holder

• Salaries for research personnel

• Operating and consumable costs

• Essential equipment within defined financial limits

• Travel and conference participation directly related to the project

• Publication and dissemination costs

The grant does not fund:

• Overhead or indirect institutional costs

• Commercial or industry-driven activities

Who Is Eligible?

The programme targets starting group leaders who are in the early phase of establishing independent research careers and building their own research teams.

Eligible Applicant Profiles

Applicants must be:

• Senior postdoctoral researchers

• Assistant professors

• Associate professors in time-limited positions

• Equivalent early-career academic levels

Applicants should have completed their PhD approximately 4–8 years before applying.

Additional Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

• Demonstrate strong scientific potential through high-impact, first-authored peer-reviewed publications

• Propose a project of high international quality

• Be anchored at a hospital, university, or non-profit research institution in a Nordic country

• Conduct the research at a Nordic administrating institution

Applicants must not:

• Already be established independent group leaders

• Hold an annual external grant portfolio exceeding DKK 4 million at the project start

Hosting Institution Requirements

A formal hosting letter from the Nordic administrating institution is mandatory.

The hosting institution must confirm:

• Employment or affiliation of the applicant

• Availability of infrastructure and facilities

• Administrative and financial management of the grant budget

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the Novo Nordisk Foundation electronic application system.

A complete application includes:

• A detailed scientific project description

• A non-technical lay summary

• A concise curriculum vitae

• A selected list of publications

• Mandatory appendices as specified in the call

Incomplete applications or missing documents may result in rejection.

Evaluation and Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by the Committee on Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Assessment criteria include:

• Scientific quality and originality

• Potential impact on endocrinology and metabolism

• Feasibility and methodological robustness

• Quality of the research environment

• Applicant’s track record relative to career stage

Interview Stage

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an in-person interview in Hellerup, Denmark.

The interview is scheduled for 9 April 2026.

Why This Grant Matters

Early independence is a critical phase for building a sustainable research career.

This programme provides long-term, flexible funding that allows promising investigators to develop innovative research agendas, establish teams, and strengthen Nordic leadership in endocrinology and metabolic research.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applying without meeting the PhD age or career stage requirements

Submitting projects outside endocrinology or metabolism scope

Including cancer-focused research beyond permitted endocrine tumour signalling studies

Exceeding the allowed external grant portfolio threshold

Failing to secure a formal hosting letter from a Nordic institution

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is diabetes research eligible under this programme?

The call focuses on endocrinology beyond diabetes, with emphasis on broader metabolic and hormonal regulation.

2. Can clinician researchers apply?

Yes. The foundation aims to award at least one grant to an active clinician researcher.

3. Are international applicants eligible?

Applicants must conduct the research at a Nordic administrating institution, regardless of nationality.

4. Can cancer-related projects be funded?

Only studies on endocrine tumours focusing on signalling or hormonal crosstalk are eligible. General cancer research is excluded.

5. What is the maximum funding available per project?

Up to DKK 12.5 million over five years.

6. Are overhead or indirect costs allowed?

No. Overheads and indirect institutional costs are not funded.

7. When will interviews take place?

Interviews for shortlisted candidates are scheduled for 9 April 2026 in Hellerup, Denmark.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Excellence Emerging Investigator Grant Programme offers substantial, long-term support for early-career researchers aiming to establish independent, high-impact research in endocrinology and metabolism. By combining competitive funding with a strong focus on scientific excellence and Nordic research environments, the programme plays a key role in shaping future leaders in metabolic and endocrine science.