The Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme is inviting applications for large-scale interdisciplinary research grants focused on hybrid bio-electrocatalysis. The programme supports consortium-based projects in Europe and Denmark, offering €4–10 million per project for up to six years to advance mechanistic understanding of bio-electrocatalytic systems. It excludes applied product development and focuses strictly on fundamental, high-risk scientific research.

Overview

The Challenge Programme is a competitive research funding initiative supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

It is designed to:

• Advance interdisciplinary science
• Strengthen Danish and European research ecosystems
• Promote collaboration between leading academic researchers
• Support high-risk, high-impact scientific discovery

The central research area is hybrid bio-electrocatalysis, a field combining biological and electrochemical catalytic systems to understand and improve energy and molecular transformation processes.

Core Scientific Focus

Hybrid Bio-Electrocatalysis Research

The programme focuses on:

• Mechanistic understanding of bio-electrocatalytic systems
• Interaction between biological catalysts and electrochemical interfaces
• Fundamental processes driving energy and electron transfer reactions

Interdisciplinary Scientific Approach

Projects must integrate multiple disciplines, such as:

• Chemistry
• Biophysics
• Materials science
• Bioengineering
• Electrochemistry

Mechanistic Insight Requirement

Funded projects must:

• Go beyond data collection and simulation
• Provide deep mechanistic explanations
• Focus on fundamental scientific discovery rather than applied product development

Research Scope and Exclusions

In-Scope Research

Eligible research includes:

• Fundamental studies of hybrid bio-electrocatalytic systems
• Mechanistic investigations of catalytic processes
• Interdisciplinary theoretical and experimental approaches
• Concept-driven scientific exploration

Explicit Exclusions

The programme does NOT fund:

• Pure chemical catalysis research without biological integration
• Hydrogen production-focused applied technologies
• Plant photosynthesis optimization studies
• Large-scale photovoltaic systems requiring extensive land use
• Medical or diagnostic applications
• Environmental remediation or pollutant degradation projects
• Projects focused solely on end-product development

Additional Limitations

• Techno-economic analysis is allowed only as a supporting component
• Environmental sustainability studies cannot be the primary focus
• Commercial or product-driven R&D is not eligible

Funding Details

• Total funding pool: DKK 150 million (~EUR 20 million)
• Individual grant size: DKK 30–75 million (~EUR 4–10 million)
• Project duration: Up to 6 years
• Funding type: Large-scale collaborative research grants

Consortium Structure and Requirements

Required Consortium Composition

Each application must include:

• 1 main applicant
• 1 to 3 co-applicants
• Total: 2 to 4 research groups

Main Applicant Requirements

The main applicant must:

• Be an independent tenured or tenure-track researcher
• Be employed at a European university, hospital, or non-profit research institute
• Commit at least 75% of working time to the project
• Have secured salary coverage for the entire project duration

Co-Applicant Requirements

Co-applicants:

• May be based globally
• Must contribute to the interdisciplinary research goals
• Must be part of the defined consortium structure

Danish Participation Requirement

• At least one applicant must be based in Denmark
• Minimum 75% employment commitment required in Denmark

Industry Collaboration Rules

• Industry collaboration is allowed
• Industrial partners are NOT eligible for funding
• Industry may contribute as collaborators only

Why This Programme Matters

This funding initiative is strategically important because it:

• Advances frontier research in bio-electrocatalysis
• Strengthens European scientific collaboration networks
• Encourages high-risk, high-reward research innovation
• Builds mechanistic understanding of energy conversion systems
• Supports long-term scientific capacity in Denmark and Europe
• Promotes interdisciplinary integration across STEM fields

How the Programme Works (Application and Structure)

Step 1: Consortium Formation

• Assemble 2–4 research groups
• Ensure at least one Danish institution is included
• Define roles for main and co-applicants

Step 2: Define Scientific Vision

• Develop a shared research mission
• Identify a key scientific challenge in bio-electrocatalysis
• Ensure interdisciplinary integration across fields

Step 3: Proposal Development

• Emphasize mechanistic scientific questions
• Demonstrate novelty and high-risk innovation potential
• Exclude product-focused or applied-only goals

Step 4: Submission and Evaluation

• Submit proposal under Challenge Programme guidelines
• Evaluation focuses on:
  • Scientific excellence
  • Interdisciplinarity
  • Novelty and risk level
  • Consortium strength

Step 5: Project Execution (If Funded)

• Conduct long-term fundamental research (up to 6 years)
• Collaborate across institutions and disciplines
• Generate mechanistic insights into bio-electrocatalysis

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting product-oriented or applied technology proposals
• Focusing only on modelling or data generation without mechanistic insight
• Ignoring consortium structure requirements
• Missing Danish institutional participation requirement
• Including excluded research areas like hydrogen production or photovoltaics
• Treating techno-economic analysis as the main objective

Key Tips for a Strong Application

• Clearly define a fundamental scientific question
• Build a strong interdisciplinary consortium
• Ensure at least one Danish institution is deeply involved
• Emphasize mechanistic discovery over application
• Highlight novelty and scientific risk-taking
• Align all work packages with hybrid bio-electrocatalysis

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the total funding available?

The programme offers a total of DKK 150 million (approximately EUR 20 million).

2. How much funding can a single project receive?

Each project can receive between DKK 30 million and DKK 75 million (EUR 4–10 million).

3. What is the maximum project duration?

Projects can run for up to 6 years.

4. What research areas are excluded?

Excluded areas include hydrogen production, plant photosynthesis, photovoltaics requiring large land use, medical/diagnostic research, environmental remediation, and pure chemical catalysis.

5. What is the consortium requirement?

Each project must have 2 to 4 research groups, including a main applicant and 1–3 co-applicants.

6. Is industry participation allowed?

Yes, but industry partners cannot receive funding.

7. Must the consortium include a Danish institution?

Yes, at least one applicant must be based in Denmark with a minimum 75% employment commitment.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme for hybrid bio-electrocatalysis supports ambitious, interdisciplinary research aimed at solving fundamental scientific challenges in energy conversion and catalytic systems.

With large-scale funding of up to €10 million per project and a strong emphasis on mechanistic discovery, the programme is designed for high-risk academic collaborations rather than applied product development. Consortia that combine strong European research expertise with Danish institutional participation are best positioned for success.