Apply Now: LF Ascending Investigator Grants (Denmark)

Deadline: 09-Jun-2026

The Lundbeck Foundation Ascending Investigator Grants support established, independent researchers working in neuroscience and brain health. The programme is designed to strengthen fundamental understanding of the brain and improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of brain and nervous system disorders.

The grants are intended for researchers with a strong track record and a clear ability to lead original research. Projects may be basic, translational, or clinical, as long as they have clear scientific quality and potential societal or health impact.

Key facts

• Funder: Lundbeck Foundation.

• Field: Neuroscience and brain-related health research.

• Grant period: Exactly four years.

• Base funding: Up to DKK 6 million.

• Extra collaboration funding: Up to DKK 1 million.

• Maximum total: DKK 7 million.

• Eligible institutions: Non-commercial Danish research institutions.

• Applicant type: Independent, experienced researchers.

• Collaboration: Danish and international co-applicants or collaborators allowed.

What the grant supports

The programme supports research that:

• Advances understanding of the brain and nervous system.

• Improves prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological diseases.

• Builds high-impact neuroscience research capacity.

• Connects basic science with translational and clinical work.

• Encourages interdisciplinary approaches across medicine, engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities.

• Strengthens international collaboration and scientific exchange.

Who is eligible?

Applicants must generally be:

• Experienced and independent researchers.

• Permanent or tenured staff, tenure-track researchers, or equivalent at Danish universities or university hospitals.

• Temporary staff only if salary is fully guaranteed by the host institution for the full project period, confirmed in a support letter.

• Based at a non-commercial Danish research institution.

Additional eligibility rules:

• Applicants with an active Ascending Investigator grant may apply only if it ends in 2026.

• No more than two consecutive Ascending Investigator grants are allowed.

• The principal investigator must not exceed an annual active grant portfolio of DKK 3 million for 2026, excluding ERC and infrastructure grants.

Funding and budget rules

The grant can cover:

• Project staff.

• Research consumables and other non-staff project costs.

• Travel and research stays abroad.

• Relocation support for extended stays abroad, up to DKK 100,000.

• Child support allowances, where applicable.

• Indirect costs up to 10% at eligible institutions not already covered by agreements.

The applicant’s own salary is not covered by the grant.

What makes a strong proposal

A competitive application should show:

• Excellent research quality.

• Originality and novelty.

• A feasible and well-structured project plan.

• Strong applicant independence and leadership.

• Clear contribution to neuroscience or human health.

• A convincing roadmap to impact.

• Alignment with open science principles.

• Strong institutional support.

• A credible case for international collaboration, if relevant.

Evaluation criteria

Applications are assessed by the Foundation’s Talent Panel based on:

• Research quality.

• Feasibility.

• Originality.

• Applicant merit.

• Independence.

• Leadership capacity.

• Contribution to open science.

• Strength of the host institution.

• Potential for international collaboration.

• Expected impact on neuroscience or human health.

If applications are otherwise equally strong, preference may go to projects that strengthen international collaboration and diversify the funded portfolio.

How the programme works

1. Confirm eligibility.

   • Check employment status, institution type, grant portfolio, and current grant situation.

2. Build a neuroscience project.

   • Define the disease or brain function question clearly.

   • Show why the project is original and important.

3. Design the team.

   • Include Danish and international collaborators if they strengthen the project.

4. Prepare the budget.

   • Stay within the allowed funding structure and overhead limits.

5. Show a path to impact.

   • Explain how the work can improve understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.

6. Submit the application.

   • Follow the Foundation’s application procedures and terms.

Common mistakes and tips

• Mistake: Applying as a researcher who is too junior or not sufficiently independent.

  • Tip: The grant is aimed at established, independent researchers.

• Mistake: Exceeding the active grant portfolio limit.

  • Tip: Check the DKK 3 million annual active grant portfolio cap carefully.

• Mistake: Proposing a project without a clear neuroscience or health impact.

  • Tip: Show the relevance to brain science or nervous system disease.

• Mistake: Ignoring institutional support requirements for temporary staff.

  • Tip: Include a clear salary guarantee letter if needed.

• Mistake: Overlooking collaboration value.

  • Tip: Explain how international exchange or interdisciplinary work strengthens the project.

FAQ

1. Who can apply?

   • Experienced, independent researchers based at non-commercial Danish research institutions.

2. How much funding is available?

   • Up to DKK 6 million over four years, or up to DKK 7 million with substantial international collaboration.

3. Can temporary staff apply?

   • Yes, if the host institution fully guarantees salary for the project duration and confirms this in a support letter.

4. Can applicants with an active grant apply?

   • Yes, if the active Ascending Investigator grant ends in 2026.

5. Are international collaborators allowed?

   • Yes, and international collaboration is encouraged.

6. Is the applicant’s own salary covered?

   • No, the applicant’s own salary is excluded.

7. What is the main focus of the grant?

   • High-impact neuroscience research on brain and nervous system diseases, with potential health and societal benefit.

Conclusion

The Lundbeck Foundation Ascending Investigator Grants are designed for strong, independent neuroscience researchers at Danish non-commercial institutions who can deliver ambitious, high-impact work. The most competitive projects will combine scientific originality, feasibility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a clear route to improved brain health outcomes.

For more information, visit Lundbeck Foundation.