Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The Global Science Summit Programme 2026 invites interdisciplinary and collaborative research proposals that develop technology-enabled, scalable solutions to improve the prevention, detection, diagnosis, treatment, and long-term management of cardiometabolic diseases. The programme provides up to DKK 50 million in total funding, with individual grants of up to DKK 7 million for projects lasting one to three years, supporting international research partnerships that strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes.
What is the Global Science Summit Programme 2026?
The Global Science Summit Programme 2026 is an international research funding initiative that supports collaborative projects addressing the growing global burden of cardiometabolic diseases through innovative, evidence-based, and technology-driven solutions.
The programme encourages researchers from multiple disciplines to work together to improve:
- Early disease detection
- Accurate diagnosis
- Patient follow-up
- Treatment adherence
- Integrated healthcare delivery
- Digital health implementation
- Health system resilience
Projects should generate practical solutions that can be adapted and implemented across different healthcare settings.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to accelerate scientific innovation that improves cardiometabolic disease care worldwide.
Key Objectives
- Improve early detection of cardiometabolic diseases
- Enhance diagnosis and long-term disease management
- Strengthen treatment adherence
- Support integrated healthcare models
- Improve coordination between primary and specialist care
- Promote digital health and health data integration
- Develop scalable, evidence-based healthcare innovations
- Strengthen health system capacity for chronic disease management
Focus Areas and Research Priorities
The programme supports interdisciplinary research addressing major healthcare challenges.
Priority Research Areas
- Early detection of cardiometabolic diseases
- Digital health technologies
- Artificial intelligence and health data integration
- Chronic disease management
- Patient-centred treatment adherence
- Integrated healthcare pathways
- Health system strengthening
- Multimorbidity management
- Population health interventions
- Preventive healthcare strategies
Key Themes
- Cardiometabolic disease prevention
- Healthcare innovation
- Health system integration
- Behavioural health interventions
- Precision public health
- Digital transformation in healthcare
- International research collaboration
Health Challenges Addressed
The programme seeks solutions to persistent challenges affecting cardiometabolic care.
Priority Challenges
- Fragmented healthcare systems
- Poor coordination between primary and specialist care
- Delayed disease detection
- Weak continuity of care
- Low treatment adherence
- Limited use of digital health technologies
- Inadequate management of multiple chronic conditions
- Health inequities affecting vulnerable populations
Multimorbidity Focus
Projects are encouraged to address interactions between cardiometabolic diseases and other health conditions.
Examples include:
- Reproductive health
- Infectious diseases
- Multiple chronic diseases
- Complex patient care pathways
- Co-existing health conditions
The programme supports holistic approaches that improve outcomes across multiple conditions rather than treating diseases in isolation.
Funding Information
Total Programme Budget
- Up to DKK 50 million
- Approximately USD 7.2 million
Maximum Funding Per Project
- Up to DKK 7 million
- Approximately USD 1 million
Project Duration
- Minimum: 1 year
- Maximum: 3 years
Number of Awards
The number of funded projects depends on:
- Scientific quality
- Innovation potential
- Programme relevance
- Available funding
What the Programme Supports
Funding is available for projects that have progressed beyond early concepts and are ready for further development.
Eligible Activities
- Applied health research
- Digital health innovation
- Clinical implementation studies
- Screening programme development
- Patient follow-up systems
- Technology-enabled healthcare solutions
- Behavioural intervention research
- Health data integration
- Healthcare delivery innovation
- Treatment adherence strategies
Technology Areas
Projects may involve:
- Digital health platforms
- Clinical decision-support tools
- Health information systems
- Artificial intelligence applications
- Remote monitoring technologies
- Electronic health records
- Data-driven healthcare solutions
Who is Eligible?
The programme supports collaborative international research teams.
Eligible Applicants
Applications must include:
- One Main Applicant
- One or Two Co-applicants
Team Requirements
Research teams must demonstrate:
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- International engagement
- Complementary expertise
- Context-specific knowledge
Discipline Requirements
Disciplines are defined by:
- Practical expertise
- Ongoing research activities
- Professional experience
Formal academic qualifications alone do not determine eligibility.
Collaboration Requirements
The programme places strong emphasis on interdisciplinary partnerships.
Collaborative Expectations
Projects should involve:
- Multiple research disciplines
- International collaboration where appropriate
- Diverse scientific expertise
- Health system stakeholders
- Technology specialists
- Clinical researchers
- Public health experts
Collaborative teams should demonstrate how different disciplines contribute to solving complex healthcare challenges.
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Build a Collaborative Research Team
Identify:
- Main applicant
- One or two co-applicants
- Complementary disciplines
- International partners if applicable
Step 2: Identify a Healthcare Challenge
Develop a proposal addressing:
- Early detection
- Treatment adherence
- Health system integration
- Digital health innovation
- Multimorbidity
Step 3: Design an Evidence-Based Solution
Projects should:
- Build on existing evidence
- Demonstrate feasibility
- Address real-world healthcare needs
- Be scalable across different settings
Step 4: Prepare the Proposal
Include:
- Research objectives
- Methodology
- Collaboration plan
- Budget
- Timeline
- Expected impact
Step 5: Submit the Application
Applications undergo scientific and programme evaluation before funding decisions are made.
Evaluation Criteria
Applications are expected to demonstrate excellence across multiple areas.
Scientific Excellence
- Strong research quality
- Evidence-based methodology
- Innovative approach
Innovation
- Practical healthcare solutions
- Technology-enabled interventions
- Novel implementation strategies
Collaboration
- Interdisciplinary partnerships
- International cooperation
- Complementary expertise
Health System Impact
- Improved patient outcomes
- Better care coordination
- Increased treatment adherence
- Health system strengthening
Scalability
Projects should demonstrate potential for:
- Wider implementation
- Adaptation across settings
- Long-term sustainability
Why This Programme Matters
Cardiometabolic diseases remain among the leading causes of illness and death worldwide.
This programme helps by:
- Accelerating healthcare innovation
- Improving disease prevention
- Supporting earlier diagnosis
- Enhancing treatment adherence
- Strengthening health systems
- Encouraging interdisciplinary science
- Promoting international collaboration
- Improving long-term patient outcomes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Submitting early-stage concepts without supporting evidence
- Weak interdisciplinary collaboration
- Limited international engagement
- Poor explanation of scalability
- Insufficient focus on health system implementation
- Lack of patient-centred design
- Ignoring multimorbidity considerations
- Weak integration of digital technologies
Key Concepts Explained
Cardiometabolic Diseases
A group of conditions affecting the heart, blood vessels, and metabolism, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and related disorders.
Multimorbidity
The presence of two or more chronic health conditions in the same individual.
Treatment Adherence
The extent to which patients consistently follow prescribed treatments and care plans.
Digital Health
The use of digital technologies, health data, software, and connected devices to improve healthcare delivery and patient outcomes.
Health System Strengthening
Improving healthcare infrastructure, coordination, workforce capacity, and service delivery to achieve better health outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the Global Science Summit Programme 2026?
It is an international research funding programme supporting interdisciplinary projects that improve cardiometabolic disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and health system performance.
2. How much funding is available?
The programme provides a total budget of up to DKK 50 million, with individual projects eligible for up to DKK 7 million.
3. How long can funded projects run?
Projects may last between one and three years.
4. Who can apply?
Collaborative teams consisting of one main applicant and one to two co-applicants representing different disciplines and, where appropriate, different countries.
5. What types of projects are eligible?
Applied research projects developing scalable, technology-enabled solutions for cardiometabolic disease care that have progressed beyond the initial concept stage.
6. Is international collaboration required?
The programme strongly encourages international engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration to maximise research impact and contextual relevance.
7. What are the main evaluation priorities?
Applications are assessed based on scientific excellence, innovation, collaboration, scalability, health system impact, and their potential to improve patient outcomes.
Conclusion
The Global Science Summit Programme 2026 supports interdisciplinary, collaborative research that addresses one of the world’s most pressing health challenges—cardiometabolic diseases. By funding scalable, technology-enabled solutions that improve early detection, integrated care, treatment adherence, and health system performance, the programme aims to generate practical innovations that enhance patient outcomes and strengthen healthcare systems globally.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.
