Challenge Programme: Earth-Abundant Materials for Sustainable Technologies

The Challenge Programme (Denmark) funds large-scale, interdisciplinary research consortia (DKK 30–75 million per project) to develop sustainable technologies using Earth-abundant materials. It supports early-stage fundamental research (TRL 1–3) in materials science, chemistry, physics, engineering, and data science, focusing on high-risk discovery rather than commercial development.

Overview

The Challenge Programme supports cutting-edge research consortia working on sustainable materials science using Earth-abundant elements. It is designed to reduce dependency on scarce resources by developing high-performance alternative materials for future technologies.

The programme is associated with the Novo Nordisk Foundation and supports long-term, high-impact scientific innovation in Europe.

Programme Objectives

The initiative aims to:

• Advance sustainable material discovery using Earth-abundant elements
• Strengthen interdisciplinary research ecosystems
• Promote high-risk, high-reward scientific innovation
• Combine experimental and computational research methods
• Develop alternatives to scarce or critical materials
• Support early-stage fundamental research (TRL 1–3)

Key Research Areas

1. Sustainable Functional Materials

• Earth-abundant alternatives to critical raw materials
• High-performance material design and synthesis

2. Energy and Storage Systems

• Next-generation energy storage materials
• Multi-timescale energy systems
• Efficient charge and energy transfer materials

3. Catalysis and Chemical Processes

• Sustainable catalytic materials
• Cost-effective chemical transformation systems

4. Electronics and Quantum Materials

• Semiconductors using abundant elements
• Materials for quantum technologies
• Advanced electronic components

Scientific Approach

The programme strongly encourages:

• Experimental materials discovery
• Materials synthesis and characterization
• Computational modelling
• Machine learning and data-driven discovery
• Integration of theory and laboratory work

Excluded Research Areas

The programme does NOT support:

• Hydrogen production research
• Building materials
• Perovskites
• Biomaterials
• Prototype development
• Commercialisation-focused projects
• Material recovery or recycling-focused systems
• Pure theoretical modelling without experiments

However, techno-economic and environmental analysis may be included when relevant.

Funding Details

• Total programme budget: up to DKK 150 million
• Individual grant size: DKK 30–75 million
• Project duration: up to 6 years
• Funding scope: Large interdisciplinary research consortia

Consortium Structure

Required Team Composition

• 2 to 4 research groups per consortium
• One main applicant (lead institution)
• One to three co-applicants

Collaboration Model

• Interdisciplinary scientific collaboration
• International co-applicants allowed
• Industry collaboration permitted (no funding to industry partners)

Eligibility Criteria

Main Applicant Requirements

• Must be an independent tenured or tenure-track researcher
• Must lead an established research group
• Must be based at a European university, hospital, or non-profit research institution
• Must act as host institution

Employment Requirements

• Minimum 75% employment commitment
• Guaranteed salary coverage for full project duration

Institutional Requirements

• At least one applicant must be based in Denmark
• Must lead a research group at submission stage

Key Evaluation Criteria

Applications are assessed based on:

• Scientific originality and ambition
• Interdisciplinary integration
• Feasibility of research approach
• Strength of consortium collaboration
• Innovation potential in materials discovery
• Long-term scientific impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Focusing on prototype or commercial development
• Purely theoretical modelling without experiments
• Including excluded materials areas (e.g., hydrogen or perovskites)
• Weak interdisciplinary integration
• Insufficient consortium structure

Tips for Strong Applications

• Emphasize Earth-abundant material innovation
• Balance experimental and computational methods
• Demonstrate strong interdisciplinary collaboration
• Focus on TRL 1–3 fundamental research
• Clearly define scientific breakthroughs targeted

FAQs

1. What is the funding range per project?

DKK 30–75 million per project.

2. How long can projects last?

Up to 6 years.

3. What research stage is supported?

Early-stage research (TRL 1–3).

4. Who can apply as main applicant?

Senior researchers with independent groups at European institutions.

5. Are industry partners funded?

No, but collaboration is allowed.

6. What is the consortium size?

2 to 4 research groups.

7. Is modelling-only research allowed?

No, experimental work must be included.

Conclusion

The Challenge Programme is a high-value research funding scheme designed to transform materials science by promoting sustainable alternatives based on Earth-abundant elements. Through large interdisciplinary consortia and long-term funding, it aims to drive breakthrough discoveries in energy, electronics, catalysis, and quantum technologies while strengthening Europe’s scientific innovation ecosystem.