Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation invites applications for high-level fundamental research in bioscience and basic biomedicine in Denmark. The call supports projects that improve understanding of human biology, disease mechanisms, microbiota-host interactions, and the basic processes underlying health and disease.
The total funding available is DKK 104 million, including DKK 12 million reserved for the strategic theme on microbiota-host interactions. Individual grants range from DKK 1 million to DKK 4.5 million for projects lasting 1–3 years.
What is this Novo Nordisk Foundation Grant Call?
This Novo Nordisk Foundation grant call supports fundamental research in bioscience and basic biomedicine.
The programme is designed to advance knowledge of the human organism and the biological mechanisms that influence health and disease.
The call supports high-quality research carried out in Danish non-profit research environments, including universities, hospitals, and similar institutions.
Main Purpose of the Call
The main purpose of the call is to support fundamental research of high international standard.
The funding aims to strengthen scientific understanding of human biology, disease development, cellular processes, molecular mechanisms, and biological systems.
The programme supports research that may ultimately contribute to better health outcomes by improving knowledge of how the human body functions and how diseases emerge.
Focus Areas and Priorities
The call focuses on bioscience and basic biomedicine.
Key focus areas include:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Bioinformatics
- Modelling of biological systems
- Enzymology
- Genetics
- Microbiology
- Pharmacology
- Experimental physiology
- Biophysics
- Biochemistry
- Biostatistics
- Human biology
- Disease mechanisms
- Microbiota-host interactions
- Biological systems research
Strategic Theme: Microbiota-Host Interactions
A dedicated strategic theme focuses on microbiota-host interactions.
This theme supports research that explores how microorganisms interact with the host organism.
Projects may examine microbiota-host interactions from molecular mechanisms to their broader role in physiology.
Relevant research may investigate how microbiota influence biological functions, immune responses, metabolism, disease risk, and health-related processes.
Key Concepts Explained
Fundamental Research
Fundamental research aims to generate new scientific knowledge.
In this call, fundamental research focuses on basic biological and biomedical mechanisms rather than immediate clinical application.
The goal is to improve understanding of the foundations of human health and disease.
Bioscience
Bioscience is the study of living systems.
It may include research into cells, genes, molecules, microorganisms, enzymes, proteins, biological networks, and physiological processes.
Basic Biomedicine
Basic biomedicine investigates the biological mechanisms that underlie human health and disease.
It often uses laboratory models, experimental systems, and computational methods to understand how diseases develop and how biological systems function.
Microbiota-Host Interactions
Microbiota-host interactions refer to the relationship between microorganisms and the host organism.
This includes how bacteria, fungi, viruses, or other microorganisms influence host biology, physiology, immunity, metabolism, and disease mechanisms.
In Silico Approaches
In silico research uses computational models, simulations, data analysis, and bioinformatics tools to study biological systems.
These methods can help researchers understand complex biological processes and disease mechanisms.
Research Models and Methods Supported
Projects may use a range of research models and approaches.
Supported approaches may include:
- Animal model systems
- Cellular model systems
- Subcellular model systems
- In silico approaches
- Computational modelling
- Bioinformatics analysis
- Experimental biological methods
- Laboratory-based biomedical research
The selected approach should be appropriate for the research question and should contribute to a deeper understanding of human biology or disease mechanisms.
Funding Available
The total funding available for the call is DKK 104 million.
A dedicated amount of DKK 12 million is allocated to projects focused on microbiota-host interactions.
Individual grants range from DKK 1 million to DKK 4.5 million.
Projects may run for 1–3 years.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility is linked to Danish non-profit research institutions.
Eligible administering institutions include:
- Danish universities
- Danish hospitals
- Other non-profit research institutions in Denmark
- Similar eligible Danish research environments
The main applicant must be affiliated with an eligible institution in Denmark.
All funded research activities must be carried out within eligible Danish institutions.
Eligible Research Activities
The call supports high-level fundamental research in bioscience and basic biomedicine.
Eligible activities may include:
- Laboratory-based biological research
- Biomedical mechanism studies
- Disease mechanism research
- Human biology research
- Molecular and cellular studies
- Microbiota-host interaction studies
- Computational biology and modelling
- Experimental physiology studies
- Genetic, biochemical, and biophysical research
- Research using animal, cellular, subcellular, or in silico systems
Projects should be scientifically strong and aligned with the goal of improving understanding of health and disease.
How the Grant Works
The Novo Nordisk Foundation provides grants to eligible Danish research institutions for projects in bioscience and basic biomedicine.
The project must be led by a main applicant affiliated with a Danish university, hospital, or other non-profit research institution.
The research must be carried out within eligible Danish institutions.
Applicants may request between DKK 1 million and DKK 4.5 million for a project period of 1–3 years.
Projects aligned with the microbiota-host interaction theme may be considered under the dedicated DKK 12 million allocation.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that the administering institution is an eligible Danish university, hospital, or non-profit research institution.
The main applicant should also confirm their affiliation with an eligible Danish institution.
Applicants should then prepare a research proposal that clearly explains the scientific question, research methods, expected contribution, and relevance to bioscience or basic biomedicine.
If the project aligns with the strategic theme on microbiota-host interactions, the proposal should clearly explain this connection.
The budget should fall within the eligible range of DKK 1 million to DKK 4.5 million and match the proposed 1–3 year project period.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the administering institution is eligible.
- Confirm that the main applicant is affiliated with an eligible Danish research institution.
- Define the fundamental research question.
- Identify the relevant bioscience or basic biomedicine focus area.
- Select the appropriate research approach, such as animal models, cellular systems, subcellular systems, or in silico methods.
- Explain how the project improves understanding of human biology or disease mechanisms.
- State whether the project fits the strategic theme on microbiota-host interactions.
- Prepare a project plan covering objectives, methods, timeline, expected results, and scientific significance.
- Prepare a budget between DKK 1 million and DKK 4.5 million.
- Submit the application through the official Novo Nordisk Foundation application process.
Why It Matters
Fundamental research is essential for understanding how the human body works and how diseases develop.
This type of research creates the scientific foundation for future advances in prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and health improvement.
The call is important because it supports Danish research environments working at a high international standard.
The strategic focus on microbiota-host interactions is also important because microbiota can influence physiology, immunity, metabolism, and disease processes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting projects that are not clearly focused on bioscience or basic biomedicine.
Applications should not present primarily clinical or applied projects unless they are strongly grounded in fundamental biological research.
Applicants should not ignore the requirement that the administering institution and main applicant must be based at eligible Danish non-profit research institutions.
Projects should not include funded research activities outside eligible Danish institutions if the call requires all funded work to be carried out within such institutions.
Applicants should avoid unclear methodology, weak scientific rationale, or budgets that fall outside the permitted funding range.
Projects claiming alignment with the microbiota-host theme should clearly explain the microbiota-host interaction being studied.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly define the biological or biomedical problem being investigated.
The proposal should explain how the project will generate new knowledge about human biology, physiology, or disease mechanisms.
Applicants should show why the chosen research model or method is scientifically appropriate.
Projects should present a strong methodology, realistic timeline, and clear expected outcomes.
Applications under the microbiota-host theme should explain the molecular, cellular, physiological, or disease-related relevance of the interaction being studied.
The budget should be realistic, justified, and aligned with the project duration and funding limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does this Novo Nordisk Foundation call support?
The call supports high-level fundamental research in bioscience and basic biomedicine that improves understanding of human biology and disease mechanisms.
2. How much funding is available?
The total funding available is DKK 104 million.
3. What is the strategic theme of the call?
The strategic theme focuses on microbiota-host interactions, ranging from molecular mechanisms to their role in physiology.
4. How much funding is reserved for the strategic theme?
DKK 12 million is specifically allocated to projects focused on microbiota-host interactions.
5. What is the grant size per project?
Individual grants range from DKK 1 million to DKK 4.5 million.
6. What is the project duration?
Projects may run for 1–3 years.
7. Who can apply?
The main applicant must be affiliated with a Danish university, hospital, or other non-profit research institution, and the administering institution must also be an eligible Danish institution.
Conclusion
The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s bioscience and basic biomedicine call supports fundamental research that advances understanding of human biology, physiology, and disease mechanisms.
With DKK 104 million available, including DKK 12 million for microbiota-host interactions, the call offers major support for high-level research in Danish non-profit research institutions.
Applicants should ensure their projects are scientifically strong, clearly focused on bioscience or basic biomedicine, based within eligible Danish institutions, and aligned with the grant size and project duration requirements.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.
