Request for Applications: Research on Fertility 2027 (Denmark)

The Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) Research on Fertility 2027 funding programme supports collaborative research projects that advance scientific knowledge on fertility and address important societal challenges. Eligible projects can receive up to DKK 5,000,000 (excluding overhead costs) and must be jointly led by a Principal Investigator (PI) and a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) with relevant research qualifications.

About the DFF Research on Fertility 2027

The Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) is inviting applications for the Research on Fertility 2027 funding programme to support high-quality, collaborative research projects that contribute to advancing knowledge within the field of fertility.

The programme encourages research that addresses significant scientific questions while demonstrating potential societal impact. Projects are expected to promote collaboration among researchers, maintain high international research standards, and contribute to evidence-based understanding of fertility-related issues.

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Advance scientific knowledge in fertility research.
• Address societal challenges related to fertility.
• Support collaborative and interdisciplinary research.
• Promote high-quality international research standards.
• Encourage meaningful international research collaboration.
• Strengthen research environments through coordinated project teams.
• Generate evidence that informs future policies and practices.

Research Priorities

Projects should demonstrate clear alignment with the theme “Research on Fertility” and may address topics such as:

• Fertility research
• Reproductive health
• Fertility-related societal challenges
• Population and demographic research
• Reproductive medicine
• Fertility prevention and treatment
• Public health and fertility
• Interdisciplinary fertility studies
• Clinical and biomedical fertility research
• Social and policy aspects of fertility

Why This Funding Matters

Fertility is a multidisciplinary research area with important implications for healthcare, population development, public policy, and society. Advancing fertility research helps improve understanding of reproductive health, informs evidence-based interventions, and supports better healthcare and policy decisions.

By funding collaborative projects, DFF seeks to strengthen research excellence while encouraging partnerships that generate innovative solutions to complex fertility-related challenges.

Funding Information

Successful projects may receive:

• Funding of up to DKK 5,000,000.
• Funding excluding overhead costs.
• Support for collaborative research projects involving multiple researchers.
• Opportunities to strengthen national and international research collaboration.

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• The Principal Investigator (Applicant) must hold a PhD degree or equivalent qualifications.
• The Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) must also hold a PhD degree or equivalent qualifications.
• Equivalent qualifications may include a positive assistant professorship evaluation.
• Qualifications must be obtained by the application deadline.
• Projects must be jointly led by both the Applicant and the Co-PI.

Project Requirements

Eligible projects should:

• Clearly align with the theme “Research on Fertility.”
• Address a well-defined research question.
• Demonstrate potential societal impact.
• Include meaningful collaboration between multiple researchers.
• Define clear roles and responsibilities for all project members.
• Show synergy among research activities and sub-projects.
• Ensure balanced participation across the research team.
• Meet internationally recognized scientific standards.
• Include international collaboration where appropriate.
• Provide justification if international collaboration is limited.
• Explain any focus on specific local contexts.
• Be submitted entirely in English.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on:

• Scientific quality and originality.
• Relevance to fertility research.
• Expected or potential societal impact.
• Qualifications and previous research achievements of the Applicant and Co-PI.
• Quality of collaboration among project participants.
• Synergy between research activities.
• International research standards.
• Relevance of international collaboration.
• Overall feasibility of the proposed project.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

1. Review the DFF Research on Fertility 2027 funding guidelines.
2. Develop a collaborative research proposal aligned with fertility research.
3. Identify and confirm a qualified Co-PI.
4. Define the roles of all research participants.
5. Describe the project’s societal impact.
6. Explain international collaboration or justify any limitations.
7. Prepare the complete proposal in English.
8. Submit the application before the official deadline.

Benefits of the Programme

Successful applicants can benefit from:

• Funding of up to DKK 5,000,000.
• Support for internationally competitive fertility research.
• Opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration.
• Enhanced research capacity and networking.
• Increased visibility within the global scientific community.
• Contribution to evidence-based fertility policies and practices.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Application

Applicants should:

• Clearly explain how the project contributes to fertility research.
• Demonstrate the project’s societal relevance.
• Present a strong collaborative research framework.
• Clearly define the responsibilities of each team member.
• Highlight previous research achievements.
• Include meaningful international collaboration whenever possible.
• Ensure the proposal meets international scientific standards.
• Write the application in clear, professional English.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following when preparing your application:

• Failing to demonstrate alignment with fertility research.
• Weak or poorly defined collaboration between the PI and Co-PI.
• Unclear distribution of responsibilities.
• Missing explanation of societal impact.
• Limited justification for local-only research.
• Omitting reasons for limited international collaboration.
• Submitting incomplete or non-English applications.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum funding available?

Projects can receive up to DKK 5,000,000, excluding overhead costs.

Who can apply?

Applicants and Co-Principal Investigators must hold a PhD degree or equivalent qualifications by the application deadline.

Is collaboration mandatory?

Yes. Each project must be jointly led by a Principal Investigator and a named Co-Principal Investigator in a formal research collaboration.

Must projects include international collaboration?

International collaboration is encouraged. If it is limited or absent, applicants must explain the reasons.

What language must the application be submitted in?

All applications must be submitted in English.

How are applications evaluated?

Applications are assessed based on scientific excellence, societal impact, collaboration quality, applicant qualifications, international standards, and relevance to fertility research.

What types of research are supported?

The programme supports high-quality collaborative research projects that advance knowledge and address societal challenges related to fertility.

Conclusion

The DFF Research on Fertility 2027 programme provides significant funding for collaborative research that advances scientific understanding of fertility and addresses pressing societal issues. By supporting projects with strong scientific quality, meaningful collaboration, and potential real-world impact, the programme contributes to strengthening fertility research while promoting international excellence and innovation.