Deadline: 20-Aug-2026
Applications are invited for Project Grants to support advanced research in plant science, agriculture and food biotechnology across selected Nordic countries. The programme funds fundamental, high-risk research that advances sustainability and develops innovative solutions for future agriculture and food production systems.
About the Program
The programme supports ambitious research projects that significantly advance knowledge beyond the current state-of-the-art and address long-term sustainability challenges through life science research.
The programme focuses on:
- Fundamental research in plant science
- High-risk and innovative research approaches
- Sustainable agriculture and food production
- Development of resource-efficient plants
- High-productivity crop systems
- Use of microorganisms to enhance sustainability
- Sustainable agricultural value chains
- Circular agricultural and forestry systems
- Biodiversity and reduced environmental impact
- Plant-based food innovation
- Microorganism- and fungi-based food ingredients
- Improved food functionality and quality
- Precision fermentation
- Fungi, algae, and insect-based food systems
- Cellular agriculture
- Data-driven technologies for agriculture
- Sustainable food systems innovation
The programme encourages transformative research with the potential to create lasting impact.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Advance scientific knowledge in plant science and food biotechnology
- Support high-risk research with breakthrough potential
- Improve the sustainability of agriculture and food systems
- Develop innovative food production solutions
- Promote resource efficiency in plant production
- Enhance biodiversity and environmental sustainability
- Encourage circular approaches in agriculture and forestry
- Improve food quality and functionality
- Strengthen data-driven agricultural technologies
- Address future food security challenges
Projects should demonstrate scientific originality and the potential for significant advancement.
Research Priorities
Plant science priorities include:
- Development of high-productivity plants
- Development of resource-efficient plants
- Use of microorganisms to improve sustainability across agricultural value chains
- Creation of sustainable agricultural systems
- Development of sustainable food systems
- Advancement of sustainable forestry systems
- Improved circularity in production systems
- Enhancement of biodiversity
- Reduction of environmental impacts
- Development of plant-based food ingredients
- Development of microorganism-based food ingredients
- Development of fungi-based food ingredients
- Improved food functionality and quality
Additional research areas include:
- Precision fermentation
- Fungi-based food production
- Algae-based food systems
- Insect-based food production
- Cellular agriculture
- Data-driven methods and technologies supporting sustainable agriculture
- Technologies that improve sustainable food systems
Research should contribute to innovative and sustainable solutions for the future of food and agriculture.
Funding Information
Under the programme:
- The funding period ranges from 1 to 3 years.
- Grants of up to DKK 4.3 million are available for a three-year project.
- Funding is distributed approximately evenly across each project year.
- Funding amounts are reduced proportionally for shorter project durations.
Applicants should develop budgets appropriate to the proposed project period.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Faculty members with independent research programmes
- Researchers with independent research programmes
Applicants must be affiliated with academic institutions in:
The programme also allows:
- Co-applicants contributing scientifically to the project
- Co-applicants sharing in the grant funding
Applicants should demonstrate the expertise and independence required to lead the proposed research.
Ineligible Research Areas
The programme does not support research primarily focused on:
- Livestock
- Aquaculture
- Nutritional uptake
- Clinical studies
- Pharmaceuticals
- Therapeutics
- Industrial biotechnology areas directed to other dedicated committees
- Environmental biotechnology areas directed to other dedicated committees
Projects should align closely with the programme’s stated priorities.
Application Requirements
Applicants are expected to provide:
- A detailed research proposal
- Clear scientific objectives
- Information demonstrating innovation and originality
- A description of the proposed methodology
- Details of the expected sustainability impact
- Information on the research team and co-applicants, where applicable
- A realistic project budget
- A proposed project timeline
Applications should clearly explain how the project advances knowledge beyond current approaches.
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should contribute to:
- Scientific breakthroughs in plant science
- Innovative solutions for agriculture and food systems
- Improved sustainability in food production
- Greater resource efficiency
- Enhanced biodiversity outcomes
- Reduced environmental impacts
- Development of future food technologies
- Stronger research collaboration
- Increased understanding of sustainable biological systems
- Long-term benefits for agriculture and society
The programme encourages research with the potential to create transformative change.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are assessed based on:
- Scientific excellence
- Originality and innovation
- High-risk, high-reward potential
- Advancement beyond the current state-of-the-art
- Feasibility of the proposed research
- Potential sustainability impact
- Quality of the methodology
- Capability of the research team
- Alignment with programme priorities
Projects demonstrating both scientific ambition and practical relevance are encouraged.
Why This Program Matters
Agriculture and food systems face increasing challenges related to climate change, resource constraints, biodiversity loss, and growing global demand. Addressing these issues requires innovative scientific approaches capable of transforming how food is produced and consumed.
By supporting high-risk, cutting-edge research, these Project Grants help develop sustainable solutions that can shape the future of agriculture, strengthen food security, and contribute to more resilient and environmentally responsible production systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of these Project Grants?
- The programme supports advanced, high-risk research in plant science, agriculture, and food biotechnology aimed at improving sustainability and developing innovative food production solutions.
Who can apply for the funding?
- Faculty members and researchers with independent research programmes at eligible academic institutions in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.
How much funding is available?
- Projects can receive up to DKK 4.3 million for a three-year project, with funding adjusted proportionally for shorter durations.
How long can projects last?
- The funding period ranges from 1 to 3 years.
Can co-applicants be included in the project?
- Yes. Co-applicants may contribute scientifically to the project and share in the grant funding.
Which research areas are not eligible?
- Research primarily focused on livestock, aquaculture, nutritional uptake, clinical studies, pharmaceuticals, therapeutics, and certain industrial and environmental biotechnology areas directed to other committees is not eligible.
What factors are considered during assessment?
- Applications are evaluated based on scientific excellence, originality, innovation, feasibility, sustainability impact, methodology, team capability, and alignment with programme priorities.
Conclusion
The Project Grants in Plant Science, Agriculture and Food Biotechnology provide researchers across the Nordic region with an opportunity to pursue ambitious, high-risk research that addresses some of the most pressing challenges facing food and agricultural systems. Through support for innovative life science research, the programme aims to advance sustainability, strengthen food security, and develop transformative solutions for future generations.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.