Deadline: 20-Aug-2026
Submissions are open for Project Grants in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology to support independent research by Nordic researchers working at the intersection of biotechnology, sustainability, and scalability. The programme funds projects that advance sustainable biotechnological solutions, strengthen the bioeconomy, improve biomanufacturing processes, and promote environmental protection through innovative research with clear scaling potential.
About the Program
The programme supports research that applies biological and biotechnological systems to address industrial and environmental challenges while contributing to sustainable development.
The programme focuses on:
- Sustainable production of chemicals, proteins, and materials
- Engineering biological and biotechnological systems
- Development of tools for monitoring microbes and metabolites
- Bioproduction technologies
- Bioeconomy solutions
- Improvement of biomanufacturing efficiency
- Environmental biotechnology applications
- Ecosystem understanding and protection
- Data science in biotechnology
- Digitalisation and computational tools supporting biotechnology research
- Research with demonstrated scaling potential
- Sustainability-driven innovation
The programme aims to strengthen biotechnology research that can generate scientific advances and practical solutions with long-term societal benefits.
Program Objectives
The programme seeks to:
- Support independent biotechnology research
- Advance sustainable industrial biotechnology solutions
- Promote environmental biotechnology innovation
- Improve the efficiency of biomanufacturing processes
- Strengthen the development of bioeconomy applications
- Enhance understanding of environmental systems
- Encourage the integration of data science and digital tools
- Support technologies with scalability potential
- Contribute to sustainable production systems
- Foster high-quality research with societal impact
Projects should demonstrate scientific excellence and a clear contribution to sustainability.
Research Areas
Funding may support projects involving:
- Sustainable production of chemicals
- Sustainable production of proteins
- Development of sustainable materials
- Engineering of biological systems
- Monitoring of microbes and metabolites
- Bioproduction process development
- Bioeconomy innovations
- Biomanufacturing optimisation
- Environmental monitoring technologies
- Biotechnology for environmental protection
- Ecosystem research and understanding
- Data-driven biotechnology approaches
- Digitalisation in biotechnology research
- Computational tools supporting biotechnology
- Scalable biotechnology solutions
Projects must demonstrate the potential for scaling and practical application.
Funding Information
Under the programme:
- Grant duration ranges from 1 to 3 years.
- Funding is available up to DKK 4.3 million for a three-year project.
Eligible costs include:
- Salaries for researchers, excluding the main applicant
- Salaries for PhD students
- Salaries for technical staff
- Project and operating costs
- Equipment costs up to DKK 200,000 per year
- Travel expenses
- Conference participation costs up to DKK 50,000 annually
- Publication expenses
- Limited tuition fees
- Bench fees, where applicable
- Administrative support, depending on institution type
- Project supplements, where applicable
The main applicant’s salary is not eligible for funding and must be secured for the full project period.
Ineligible Costs
Funding cannot be used for:
- Salaries for the main applicant
- Overhead costs
- Commercial activities
Applicants should ensure that all proposed expenditures comply with the funding rules.
Eligible Applicants
The programme is open to:
- Faculty-level researchers with independent research programmes
- Researchers affiliated with universities
- Researchers affiliated with non-profit research institutions
Applicants must be based in:
Additional eligibility requirements include:
- Junior researchers may apply if they can document research independence.
- The main applicant must have salary coverage secured for the entire project period.
- PhD students are not eligible as main applicants.
- Master’s students are not eligible as main applicants.
Co-applicants and Collaborators
Applications may include:
- Up to five co-applicants with independent research roles
- Co-applicants based outside the Nordic countries
- Non-funded collaborators from industry
Collaborations should strengthen the scientific quality and impact of the proposed research.
Assessment Criteria
Applications are evaluated by the Committee on Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology based on:
- Scientific excellence
- Originality and innovation
- Feasibility of the proposed research
- Potential impact
- Capability of the applicants
- Quality of the research approach
- Potential for sustainability and scalability
International collaboration will be prioritised when applications are otherwise considered to be of equal merit.
Expected Outcomes
Supported projects should contribute to:
- Advances in industrial biotechnology
- Progress in environmental biotechnology
- Sustainable production methods
- Improved biomanufacturing efficiency
- Stronger bioeconomy solutions
- Enhanced environmental protection strategies
- Increased understanding of ecosystems
- Development of innovative biotechnology tools
- Integration of data science into biotechnology
- Scalable solutions with societal benefits
The programme encourages research that generates both scientific and practical impact.
Why This Program Matters
Biotechnology has an increasingly important role in addressing global challenges related to sustainability, resource efficiency, and environmental protection. Innovative research can lead to cleaner production methods, improved industrial processes, and better understanding of environmental systems.
The Project Grants in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology programme supports researchers developing solutions that combine scientific excellence with real-world applicability. By promoting sustainability and scalability, the programme contributes to the advancement of a resilient and innovation-driven bioeconomy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the programme?
- The programme supports independent research in industrial and environmental biotechnology with a focus on sustainability and scalability.
Who can apply?
- Faculty-level researchers with independent research programmes at universities or non-profit research institutions in eligible Nordic countries.
Can junior researchers apply?
- Yes. Junior researchers may apply if they can demonstrate research independence.
How much funding is available?
- Projects may receive up to DKK 4.3 million for a three-year project.
What is the grant duration?
- Grants may be awarded for projects lasting between one and three years.
Can the main applicant’s salary be funded?
- No. The main applicant must secure salary coverage independently.
How are applications assessed?
- Applications are evaluated based on scientific excellence, originality, feasibility, impact potential, applicant capability, and scalability, with international collaboration prioritised when proposals are otherwise equally ranked.
Conclusion
The Project Grants in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology programme provides Nordic researchers with an opportunity to pursue innovative research that advances sustainability, strengthens the bioeconomy, and improves environmental outcomes. Through support for scalable biotechnology solutions and interdisciplinary collaboration, the programme aims to generate high-impact research that addresses industrial and environmental challenges while contributing to a more sustainable future.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.