Deadline: 17-Sep-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) PhD Scholarships in Nursing Research support full-time 3-year PhD projects in Denmark to strengthen nursing science, evidence-based practice, and patient care quality. Individual grants range from DKK 2.3–2.83 million (total pool up to DKK 8.5 million) and fund salary, tuition, research costs, travel, and publication expenses for certified nurses with a Master’s degree.
What is the NNF PhD Scholarship in Nursing Research?
The Novo Nordisk Foundation PhD Scholarship in Nursing Research is a competitive funding programme designed to develop advanced nursing research capacity in Denmark.
It supports talented nurses to pursue full-time PhD education and conduct research that strengthens:
- Evidence-based nursing practice
- Patient care quality
- Healthcare system improvement
- Academic nursing capacity in Denmark
The programme ensures that nursing practice is grounded in strong scientific evidence and modern healthcare research standards.
Programme Objectives and Research Priorities
The scholarship focuses on strengthening nursing research across clinical and healthcare systems.
Key Objectives:
- Develop highly qualified nurse researchers
- Strengthen research-based nursing practice
- Improve patient outcomes through evidence-based care
- Build academic capacity in nursing education and research
- Promote high-quality PhD-level training in Denmark
Priority Research Themes:
- Transitional care (patient transitions between care settings)
- Primary healthcare nursing
- Clinical nursing practice improvement
- Healthcare service delivery research
- Evidence-based nursing interventions
- Patient-centred care models
Funding Overview
Total Funding Pool
- Up to DKK 8.5 million
Individual Grant Size
- DKK 2.3 million – DKK 2.83 million per project
Duration
- Up to 3 years (full-time PhD programme)
- Extensions may be approved by the host university
Grant Type
- Personal scholarship (cannot be shared between applicants)
What the Grant Covers
The PhD scholarship supports full research and academic training costs.
Eligible Costs:
Salary Support
- Salary for the main PhD applicant (nurse researcher)
Tuition Fees
- Up to DKK 80,000 per year
Travel and Dissemination
- Up to DKK 25,000 per budget year for conferences and dissemination
- Additional justified research travel, including international stays
Publication Costs
- Up to DKK 25,000 per budget year
Research Operating Costs
- Materials and consumables
- Equipment
- Statistical analysis tools
- Data processing costs
Administrative Costs
- Up to 5% of total budget included within grant
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is strictly defined to ensure advanced academic and clinical research capacity.
Eligible Applicants Must Be:
- Certified nurses
- Hold a Master’s degree (nursing or related field)
- Planning a full-time PhD in Denmark
Institutional Requirements:
- Project must be hosted at:
- Danish university
- University college
- Hospital
- Non-profit research institution
Additional Requirements:
- Must be enrolled as a PhD student at a Danish university within 1 year of grant award
- PhD enrolment agreement may be prepared before application
- Only one application per applicant per call
- Project must not already be started at application stage
Required Project and Institutional Documentation
Applicants must submit formal institutional confirmation.
Mandatory documents include:
- PhD supervisor confirmation
- Host institution agreement
- Official hosting letter signed by head of department
The hosting letter must confirm:
- Institutional support for the project
- Administrative responsibility for the grant
- Access to necessary research facilities
What Types of Research Are Supported?
The programme supports PhD-level nursing research such as:
- Clinical nursing practice studies
- Patient care pathway research
- Transitional care models
- Primary healthcare nursing systems
- Evidence-based intervention studies
- Healthcare quality improvement research
- Nursing education and workforce development studies
All projects must contribute to improving healthcare quality in Denmark.
How the PhD Scholarship Works
Step 1: Project Development
Applicant designs a PhD research proposal aligned with nursing priorities.
Step 2: Institutional Alignment
Secure a Danish host institution and PhD supervisor.
Step 3: Application Submission
Submit full PhD scholarship application before call deadline.
Step 4: Evaluation Process
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific quality
- Relevance to nursing research priorities
- Feasibility of the PhD project
- Applicant qualifications
- Institutional support
Step 5: Funding Decision
Successful applicants receive personal PhD scholarship funding.
Step 6: PhD Enrollment and Execution
Candidate must enroll within 12 months and begin full-time research.
Key Conditions and Restrictions
- Project must be full-time (3-year PhD structure)
- Research must not already be started
- Funding is strictly personal and non-transferable
- Only one application per call per applicant
- Must be based in Denmark at approved institutions
Why This Programme Matters
The NNF Nursing PhD Scholarship strengthens healthcare systems by:
- Advancing nursing science and academic research
- Improving patient care quality and safety
- Supporting evidence-based clinical practice
- Building research leadership in nursing
- Strengthening Denmark’s healthcare innovation capacity
- Bridging clinical practice and academic research
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants often fail due to:
- Applying without a Master’s degree in nursing
- Starting the PhD project before application
- Missing institutional hosting letter
- Weak alignment with nursing research priorities
- Incomplete supervisor confirmation
- Budget errors (exceeding allowed categories)
- Applying more than once per call
Key Concepts Explained
PhD Scholarship (Nursing Research)
A funded doctoral research programme focused on advancing nursing science and clinical practice.
Transitional Care
Healthcare processes that support patients moving between different care settings (hospital, home, primary care).
Primary Healthcare Nursing
Nursing services delivered at the community or first-contact level of healthcare.
Evidence-Based Nursing
Clinical practice based on scientific research, data, and validated healthcare evidence.
Host Institution
A Danish university, hospital, or research organization responsible for supervising and hosting the PhD project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Novo Nordisk Foundation Nursing PhD Scholarship?
It is a funding programme supporting full-time PhD research in nursing in Denmark.
2. How much funding is available?
Individual grants range from DKK 2.3–2.83 million, with a total pool of up to DKK 8.5 million.
3. Who can apply?
Certified nurses with a Master’s degree planning a PhD in Denmark.
4. What is the duration of the scholarship?
Up to 3 years full-time, with possible university-approved extensions.
5. What costs are covered?
Salary, tuition, travel, publication costs, research materials, and limited administrative costs.
6. Can the PhD already be started before applying?
No, the project must not have begun before application.
7. Is institutional support required?
Yes, a Danish host institution and supervisor confirmation are mandatory.
Conclusion
The Novo Nordisk Foundation PhD Scholarships in Nursing Research provide a structured and highly competitive funding pathway for nurses to develop advanced academic and clinical research expertise in Denmark. By supporting full-time doctoral training, the programme strengthens evidence-based nursing practice, improves patient care outcomes, and builds long-term research capacity within the healthcare system.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.