Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The Science Communication Grant Program provides funding for professional communication projects that make scientific research accessible to non-scientific audiences. Grants ranging from DKK 200,000 to DKK 3,000,000 support documentaries, podcasts, journalism, festivals, publications, social media content, and other science communication initiatives across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Science Communication Grant Program: Funding for Public Engagement with Research
The Science Communication Grant Program supports professional communication projects that bring research findings and scientific knowledge to the general public. The initiative aims to strengthen public understanding of science, encourage evidence-based discussions, and increase engagement with basic research across society.
The program welcomes projects from the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities and prioritizes innovative communication approaches that make research accessible, relevant, and engaging for non-scientific audiences.
Program Overview
- Funding Amount: DKK 200,000 to DKK 3,000,000
- Project Duration: Up to 3 years
- Target Audience: Non-scientific audiences
- Eligible Regions: Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands
- Content Requirement: Final outputs must be freely accessible to the public
The program supports collaborations between professional communicators and researchers to ensure scientific accuracy while maximizing public engagement.
Focus Areas and Funding Priorities
The grant program supports projects that:
- Communicate basic research to broader audiences
- Promote fact-based knowledge and public understanding of science
- Address current societal challenges through research-based content
- Encourage collaboration between researchers and communication professionals
- Stimulate public interest in scientific discovery and innovation
- Contribute to informed public debate
- Develop creative and original communication formats
- Increase accessibility of research findings
Priority is given to projects that demonstrate both strong scientific content and innovative communication methods.
Eligible Project Formats
Funding can support a wide variety of science communication formats, including:
- Documentaries
- Podcasts
- Journalism projects
- Science festivals
- Public debates and discussion events
- Publications and magazines
- Animations and multimedia content
- Social media campaigns
- Digital storytelling projects
- Educational media productions
- Interactive communication platforms
Projects may use traditional, digital, or hybrid communication approaches.
What Expenses Can Be Funded?
Grant funding may be used for:
- Staff salaries and professional fees
- Production and content creation costs
- Researcher participation and consultancy fees
- Communication platform development
- Distribution and dissemination activities
- Public engagement initiatives
- Marketing and outreach activities
- Accessibility measures to ensure free public access
- Technical and operational costs related to project delivery
All proposed expenses must directly support project objectives and public access to scientific content.
Who is Eligible?
Applications are open to:
- Independent professional communicators
- Public institutions
- Private companies
- Non-profit organizations
Applicants must be based in:
- Denmark
- Greenland
- The Faroe Islands
Additional eligibility requirements include:
- Communication must be the applicant’s primary professional activity
- Applicants must demonstrate documented experience in journalism, media production, or related communication fields
- Projects must involve researchers holding at least a PhD degree
- Researchers must contribute to or quality-assure project content
- The primary target audience must be non-scientific audiences
- Final outputs must be freely available to the public
Why This Grant Matters
Science communication plays a critical role in connecting research with society. Many important scientific findings remain inaccessible to the general public due to technical language, limited outreach, or lack of effective communication channels.
This program helps bridge that gap by:
- Increasing public trust in evidence-based knowledge
- Supporting informed decision-making
- Encouraging critical thinking
- Enhancing public engagement with research
- Making scientific discoveries accessible and understandable
- Strengthening dialogue between researchers and society
By funding high-quality communication projects, the program helps ensure that research generates broader social value beyond academic communities.
How the Program Works
The program funds communication initiatives that translate research into accessible content for public audiences.
Applicants are expected to:
- Identify a research topic or scientific theme.
- Establish collaboration with qualified researchers.
- Design an accessible communication approach.
- Develop a production and distribution strategy.
- Ensure public accessibility of project outputs.
- Measure audience reach and engagement.
- Deliver the project within the approved timeframe.
Projects should combine scientific credibility with effective storytelling and audience engagement strategies.
How to Apply
Applicants should prepare the following materials:
Project Description
Submit a project description of no more than two A4 pages covering:
- Project objectives
- Research topic and relevance
- Communication concept
- Collaboration partners
- Target audiences
- Accessibility measures
- Expected outcomes
Production and Distribution Plan
Using the required Carlsberg Foundation template, applicants must provide:
- Project timeline
- Production schedule
- Distribution strategy
- Communication activities
- Audience engagement plans
- Marketing initiatives
Itemised Budget
Applicants must submit a detailed budget using the Foundation’s budget template, including:
- Budget item descriptions
- Project revenues
- Project expenditures
- Researcher costs
- Production expenses
- Auditor certification costs
All documentation should clearly demonstrate feasibility, impact, and public accessibility.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Clearly explain why the research topic matters to the public.
- Use innovative communication formats and storytelling methods.
- Demonstrate strong collaboration between communicators and researchers.
- Define measurable audience engagement goals.
- Present a realistic production and distribution plan.
- Show how content will remain freely accessible.
- Provide a clear strategy for reaching non-scientific audiences.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using overly technical language without public translation.
- Failing to involve qualified researchers.
- Targeting primarily academic audiences.
- Submitting incomplete production or distribution plans.
- Providing unrealistic budgets or timelines.
- Neglecting audience engagement strategies.
- Failing to explain how content will remain freely accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can apply for the Science Communication Grant Program?
Independent communicators, public institutions, private companies, and non-profit organizations based in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands can apply if communication is their primary professional activity.
What funding amount is available?
Projects can receive between DKK 200,000 and DKK 3,000,000.
How long can funded projects last?
Projects may run for up to three years.
Are researchers required to participate?
Yes. Projects must involve researchers with at least a PhD degree who contribute to or quality-assure the content.
What types of projects are eligible?
Eligible projects include documentaries, podcasts, journalism initiatives, festivals, debates, publications, animations, social media projects, and other science communication formats.
Who should be the target audience?
The primary audience must be non-scientific audiences, including the general public.
Must the final content be freely available?
Yes. All project outputs must be accessible to the public without barriers.
Conclusion
The Science Communication Grant Program provides substantial funding for professional communicators and organizations that make research accessible, engaging, and relevant to society. By supporting innovative communication projects across the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities, the program helps strengthen public understanding of research, encourage evidence-based dialogue, and ensure that scientific knowledge reaches audiences beyond academia. Organizations and communicators with strong research partnerships, creative communication strategies, and a commitment to public accessibility are well-positioned to benefit from this funding opportunity.
For more information, visit Carlsberg Foundation.