Deadline: 03-Sep-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has launched a funding call to support fundamental research in natural and technical sciences with potential future applications in life science, health science, or sustainability. The call supports clearly defined research projects in areas such as physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and technical sciences.
Applicants may request up to DKK 4 million for projects lasting one to three years. Projects may extend to four years when funding a four-year PhD fellowship, while the maximum grant amount remains DKK 4 million.
What is this Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Call?
This Novo Nordisk Foundation call supports fundamental research within the natural and technical sciences.
The funding is intended for research projects that advance scientific knowledge while demonstrating possible future relevance to life science, health science, or sustainability.
Projects must be conducted at universities or other non-profit research institutions in Denmark.
Main Purpose of the Call
The main purpose of the call is to promote high-quality fundamental research in natural and technical science disciplines.
The programme supports research that may not have immediate practical application but can contribute to future breakthroughs in health, life science, or sustainability.
Applicants must clearly explain how the expected research outcomes could support future applications in these fields.
Research Areas Supported
The call supports a broad range of natural and technical science disciplines.
Relevant disciplines include:
- Physics
- Chemistry
- Mathematics
- Computer science
- Technical sciences
- Related natural science fields
- Related technical science fields
Projects should be rooted in fundamental research while showing potential long-term relevance beyond the core discipline.
Application Relevance Areas
Projects must explain how their expected results could contribute to future applications in at least one of the following areas:
- Life science
- Health science
- Sustainability
The application should clearly connect the proposed fundamental research to possible future use, relevance, or scientific contribution in these areas.
Key Concepts Explained
Fundamental Research
Fundamental research is research that seeks to expand scientific understanding.
It may explore basic principles, mechanisms, theories, methods, or technologies without necessarily producing an immediate product or application.
Under this call, fundamental research must still show potential future relevance to life science, health science, or sustainability.
Natural Sciences
Natural sciences study the physical and biological world.
Examples include physics, chemistry, mathematics, and related scientific disciplines that help explain natural systems, materials, processes, and phenomena.
Technical Sciences
Technical sciences focus on applied scientific and engineering-related knowledge.
This may include technologies, systems, computational approaches, methods, and tools that can support future scientific or societal applications.
Future Application Potential
Future application potential means that the research may contribute to later developments in health, life science, or sustainability.
Applicants do not need to present a fully developed product or immediate practical solution, but they must explain the possible pathway from the research results to future application.
Funding Amount
Applicants may request up to DKK 4 million per project.
The requested budget should be appropriate for the proposed research activities and project duration.
The maximum grant amount remains DKK 4 million, even when a project is extended to four years because it includes a four-year PhD fellowship.
Total Budget Available
A total grant budget of DKK 77 million is available in 2026.
This total budget will support selected eligible research projects across natural and technical science disciplines.
Project Duration
Projects may last between one and three years.
Projects may be extended to four years when the funding includes a four-year PhD fellowship.
Applicants should ensure that the work plan, staffing, budget, and research objectives are realistic for the proposed project duration.
Who is Eligible?
Eligible applicants are principal investigators affiliated with a Danish research institution.
Principal investigators must have at least 80% affiliation with the administrating Danish research institution.
The research activities must be based at a university or other non-profit research institution in Denmark.
Institutional Eligibility
Research must be conducted at an eligible Danish research institution.
Eligible host institutions include:
- Universities in Denmark
- Other non-profit research institutions in Denmark
The project must be anchored at the administrating Danish research institution.
Applicant Salary Requirement
Applicants must have salary support from other sources for the full duration of the project.
The grant does not cover the principal investigator’s own salary.
Applicants should ensure that their salary is secured before applying and remains covered throughout the entire project period.
Who is Not Eligible?
PhD students are not eligible to apply.
Applications submitted by PhD students will not be considered.
Applicants who do not meet the minimum 80% affiliation requirement with the administrating Danish research institution are also not eligible.
What the Grant Can Support
The grant supports clearly defined research projects in natural and technical sciences.
Supported costs may relate to research activities, project implementation, and eligible project needs that align with the proposed work and duration.
Projects may include PhD fellowship support where relevant, including four-year PhD fellowship projects within the maximum grant limit.
Project Requirements
Projects should be scientifically strong, clearly structured, and feasible.
Applications should include:
- A clear research question
- A well-defined project scope
- Strong scientific rationale
- Relevant methodology
- Expected scientific outcomes
- Explanation of future application potential
- Realistic timeline
- Appropriate budget
- Danish institutional anchoring
- Confirmation of applicant eligibility
How the Call Works
The Novo Nordisk Foundation provides funding for eligible research projects based at Danish universities or non-profit research institutions.
Applicants submit proposals describing the fundamental research project, scientific discipline, methodology, expected outcomes, future application potential, and budget.
The proposal must show how the research could contribute to future applications in life science, health science, or sustainability.
How to Apply
Applicants should first confirm that they meet the affiliation and salary requirements.
They should then prepare a research proposal that clearly defines the scientific question and explains how the project fits within natural or technical sciences.
The proposal should also describe how the expected results may contribute to future applications in life science, health science, or sustainability.
Applicants should prepare a budget of up to DKK 4 million and ensure that the project duration is between one and three years, or up to four years when funding a four-year PhD fellowship.
Suggested Application Steps
- Confirm that the applicant is a principal investigator.
- Confirm at least 80% affiliation with the administrating Danish research institution.
- Confirm that the applicant’s salary is covered by other sources for the full project period.
- Confirm that the project will be based at a Danish university or non-profit research institution.
- Define the fundamental research question.
- Identify the relevant natural or technical science discipline.
- Explain the methodology and expected scientific outcomes.
- Describe the future application potential in life science, health science, or sustainability.
- Prepare a realistic project timeline of one to three years.
- If funding a four-year PhD fellowship, justify the four-year project duration.
- Prepare an appropriate budget of up to DKK 4 million.
- Submit the application through the official Novo Nordisk Foundation process.
Why It Matters
Fundamental research creates the scientific foundation for future innovation.
Discoveries in physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, and technical sciences can later support advances in medicine, biotechnology, environmental solutions, digital health, materials science, and sustainable technologies.
This call matters because it supports early-stage scientific inquiry while encouraging researchers to consider long-term relevance to life science, health science, and sustainability.
By funding research anchored in Danish institutions, the programme strengthens Denmark’s scientific capacity and future innovation pipeline.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid submitting projects without a clear fundamental research focus.
Projects should not fail to explain future application potential in life science, health science, or sustainability.
Applicants should not request more than DKK 4 million.
Applications should not propose project durations outside the allowed period unless the four-year duration is linked to a four-year PhD fellowship.
Applicants should not include the principal investigator’s own salary if it is not covered by the grant.
PhD students should not apply as principal investigators.
Applicants should also ensure they meet the 80% affiliation requirement before submission.
Tips for Strong Applications
A strong application should clearly define the scientific problem and explain why it is important.
The proposal should show how the project advances knowledge in natural or technical sciences.
Applicants should provide a credible explanation of how the research could contribute to future applications in life science, health science, or sustainability.
The methodology should be rigorous and appropriate for the research question.
The budget should be realistic and aligned with the scope and duration of the project.
Projects involving PhD fellowship support should clearly explain how the student’s work fits within the research objectives.
The strongest proposals will combine scientific excellence, clear Danish institutional anchoring, and strong future application potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the purpose of this Novo Nordisk Foundation call?
The call supports fundamental research in natural and technical sciences with potential future applications in life science, health science, or sustainability.
2. What disciplines are supported?
Supported disciplines include physics, chemistry, mathematics, computer science, technical sciences, and related natural or technical science fields.
3. How much funding can applicants request?
Applicants may request up to DKK 4 million per project.
4. What is the total budget available?
The total grant budget available in 2026 is DKK 77 million.
5. What is the project duration?
Projects may last between one and three years. Projects may extend to four years when funding a four-year PhD fellowship.
6. Who can apply?
Principal investigators with at least 80% affiliation to the administrating Danish research institution may apply, provided the project is based at a Danish university or non-profit research institution.
7. Are PhD students eligible to apply?
No. PhD students are not eligible to apply, and applications submitted by PhD students will not be considered.
Conclusion
The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s call for fundamental research in natural and technical sciences supports Danish-based research projects with future relevance to life science, health science, or sustainability.
With up to DKK 4 million available per project and a total 2026 grant budget of DKK 77 million, the call provides significant support for clearly defined research at Danish universities and non-profit research institutions.
Applicants should present scientifically strong proposals with clear methodology, appropriate budgets, Danish institutional anchoring, confirmed salary support, and a convincing explanation of future application potential.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.