Reducing Childhood Vulnerability – Health Promotion in Social Initiatives 2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is offering grants of DKK 1–4 million to support cross-sectoral projects improving the health and well-being of vulnerable children aged 0–10. The programme focuses on integrated social and health interventions in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

Overview

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is inviting applications for projects that improve health outcomes for children in vulnerable situations.

The initiative promotes integrated social and health approaches, targeting children aged 0–10 and their surrounding support systems.

Key Grant Details

• Total Funding Pool: Up to DKK 35 million
• Grant Size: DKK 1 million – DKK 4 million
• Project Duration: 1 to 5 years
• Geographic Scope: Denmark, Greenland, Faroe Islands
• Funding Type: Project-based grants

Programme Objectives

The programme aims to:

• Improve health and well-being of vulnerable children
• Develop cross-sectoral intervention models
• Generate evidence on effective support methods
• Build capacity of organisations addressing health inequities
• Integrate physical and mental health approaches

Key Concept: Cross-Sectoral Interventions

Cross-sectoral interventions combine efforts from health and social sectors to address complex challenges such as childhood vulnerability in a holistic way.

Target Group

• Children aged 0–10 years
• Children in vulnerable or disadvantaged situations
• Families and caregivers
• Professionals working with children

What the Grant Supports

Eligible Activities

• Development and testing of innovative interventions
• Implementation of health and social programmes
• Evaluation and impact measurement
• Capacity building for organisations
• Collaboration across sectors

Eligible Costs

• Salaries for project staff, consultants, PhDs, and postdocs
• Travel directly related to the project
• Equipment and materials
• Communication and dissemination (events, publications)
• External audit costs

Important Condition

Projects must include:

• A clear evaluation component
• A logic model outlining long-term impact

Who is Eligible?

Lead Applicants

Applicants must:

• Be managers or project managers
• Be employed at:
  • Non-profit organisations
  • Public institutions
• Be based in:
  • Denmark
  • Greenland
  • Faroe Islands

Partners and Collaborators

• Research institutions (as co-applicants only)
• Private companies (can collaborate but cannot receive funding except for services)

Mandatory Requirement

• Projects must involve at least two sectors:
  • Health sector
  • Social sector

How to Apply

Step-by-Step Process

1. Confirm organisational eligibility and role
2. Develop a cross-sectoral project concept
3. Define:
   • Objectives and target group
   • Intervention model
   • Expected outcomes
4. Prepare a logic model and evaluation plan
5. Build partnerships across health and social sectors
6. Develop a detailed budget (DKK 1–4 million)
7. Submit application to the foundation
8. Await review and selection

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are assessed based on:

• Relevance to vulnerable children
• Strength of cross-sector collaboration
• Innovation and feasibility
• Quality of evaluation and logic model
• Potential for long-term impact

Why This Grant Matters

This initiative is important because it:

• Addresses health inequities in early childhood
• Promotes holistic and integrated care models
• Supports evidence-based interventions
• Strengthens organisational capacity

It helps create sustainable solutions for children facing complex challenges.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Lack of cross-sector collaboration
• Weak or missing evaluation framework
• Unclear long-term impact
• Overly research-focused proposals without implementation

Practical Tips

• Build strong partnerships early
• Focus on real-world impact, not just research
• Clearly link social and health outcomes
• Develop a strong, measurable evaluation plan

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the funding range?

DKK 1 million to DKK 4 million per project.

2. Who can apply?

Non-profits and public institutions in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

3. What age group is targeted?

Children aged 0–10 in vulnerable situations.

4. Are research institutions eligible?

Yes, but only as co-applicants.

5. Is collaboration required?

Yes, at least between health and social sectors.

6. Can funding cover salaries?

Yes, including project staff and researchers.

7. Why is this programme important?

It promotes integrated solutions to improve child health and well-being.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation grant programme provides significant funding to support innovative, cross-sectoral projects that improve the lives of vulnerable children. By combining health and social approaches, the initiative aims to deliver long-term, sustainable impact.

Organisations with strong partnerships, clear evaluation strategies, and a focus on real-world outcomes are best positioned for success.