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RFAs: Carlsberg Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Centres (Denmark)

Deadline: 01-Mar-2026

The Carlsberg Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Centre Grant funds large-scale, cross-disciplinary research centres that unite the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences to address complex global challenges. Grants of up to DKK 50 million support ambitious, multi-PI centres that demonstrate strong synergy, shared leadership, and long-term impact. The program requires Danish institutional affiliation, interdisciplinary integration, and a rigorous application submitted through the CF-Grant system.

Ambitious, Cross-Disciplinary Funding for Transformative Research in Denmark

Overview

The Carlsberg Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Centre scheme supports bold and synergistic research centres that integrate the humanities, social sciences and natural sciences. The initiative aims to generate scientific breakthroughs by funding collaborative teams that tackle complex questions requiring multidimensional approaches.

Key Purpose of the Programme

  • Promote interdisciplinary collaboration across at least two of the three major research domains.

  • Enable groundbreaking basic research driven by bold, high-impact questions.

  • Support the creation of sustainable research centres with long-term academic legacy.

  • Mobilise untapped synergistic potential through integrated subprojects.

Funding Amount and Eligible Costs

Maximum Grant

  • Up to DKK 50 million per research centre.

Allowable Expenses

  • Consumables and research materials

  • Equipment and laboratory needs

  • Travel, fieldwork and research stays

  • Conferences, workshops and dissemination activities

  • Research leadership courses

  • Salary support for:

    • Postdoctoral researchers

    • PhD students

    • Research assistants (limited duration)

    • Project coordinators (full duration)

    • Student assistants

  • Not eligible: Salary support for assistant professors

Indirect Costs

  • Follows the national agreement for indirect project costs.

  • Includes project supplements for full-time equivalents in all eligible domains at Danish universities.

Who Can Apply? (Eligibility Criteria)

Principal Investigators (PIs)

  • Teams of 2 or 3 PIs.

  • Must represent at least two of the three research domains:

  • Must be:

    • Associate professors, senior researchers, or professors.

  • Must hold minimum 80% employment at Danish research institutions.

  • Must dedicate at least 50% of their research time to the centre.

Institutions and Project Requirements

  • Core project activities must take place in Denmark.

  • One PI serves as the administrative main applicant (no hierarchical authority).

  • Shared leadership is mandatory, with equal scientific and managerial contribution.

What the Programme Prioritises

  • Synergistic interdisciplinary structures with interdependent subprojects.

  • Scientific boldness and potential for breakthrough discoveries.

  • Long-term centre sustainability beyond the funding period.

  • Strong centre identity and collaborative culture.

  • Diversity, inclusion, gender balance and integration of early-career researchers.

Required Application Components

All applications must be submitted in English via the CF-Grant system and must meet strict formatting rules.

Mandatory Uploads

  1. Project Description (max 10 pages)

    • Overall aims and research questions

    • Interdisciplinary integration

    • Subproject interdependencies

    • Expected scientific impact

    • Long-term sustainability plan

  2. Itemised Budget (using the official template)

  3. PI CVs (max 2 pages each)

  4. PI Publication Lists

    • Max 10 relevant works each

  5. Research Group Description

    • Composition, networks, diversity and gender balance

    • Shared leadership structure and governance

  6. Centre Organisation & Structure Description

    • Activities, identity building, collaboration models

  7. Institutional Declarations

    • Host institution commitment

    • Employment conditions

  8. Suggested External Reviewers

    • 3–5 experts meeting independence requirements

  9. Popularised Project Description

    • Clear explanation of what, why and how.

How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)

  1. Form the PI Team

    • Ensure representation of at least two research domains.

    • Confirm all PIs meet rank and employment criteria.

  2. Develop the Interdisciplinary Concept

    • Define the overarching scientific challenge.

    • Identify synergistic subprojects and integration pathways.

  3. Design the Centre Structure

    • Plan collaboration mechanisms, governance, and identity-building activities.

  4. Prepare Required Documents

    • Write the detailed project description.

    • Prepare CVs, publication lists, budget, and institutional letters.

  5. Identify External Reviewers

    • Ensure independence and relevance.

  6. Submit via CF-Grant System

    • Upload all documents in the required formats.

    • Ensure internal consistency and alignment with guidelines.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a proposal with weak interdisciplinary integration

  • Failing to demonstrate how subprojects depend on one another

  • Missing mandatory documents or exceeding page limits

  • Proposing a centre without a long-term sustainability plan

  • Assigning hierarchical leadership instead of shared leadership

  • Not ensuring 80% employment and time-commitment compliance

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Can the project include partners outside Denmark?

Yes, but the majority of activities and all PIs must be anchored at Danish institutions, with main work conducted in Denmark.

2. Can more than three PIs apply?

No. The scheme allows only two or three PIs.

3. Are assistant professors eligible for salary support?

No. Salary support is limited to PhDs, postdocs, research assistants, coordinators, and student assistants.

4. Is there a mandatory format for the budget?

Yes. Applicants must use the Carlsberg Foundation’s official budget template.

5. Can the centre continue after the funding ends?

Yes. Proposals must outline a sustainability and legacy plan beyond the funding period.

6. In what language should the application be submitted?

All applications must be submitted in English.

7. Can PIs come from the same research domain?

Only if the PI team represents at least two of the three Carlsberg-supported research domains.

Conclusion

The Carlsberg Foundation Interdisciplinary Research Centre Grants offer a rare opportunity to build large-scale, high-impact research centres that unite multiple disciplines to address complex scientific challenges. With up to DKK 50 million available, strong emphasis on synergy and shared leadership, and a rigorous selection process, this programme is ideal for research teams ready to pursue bold ideas and create lasting academic legacies in Denmark.

For more information, visit Carlsberg Foundation.