Deadline: 08-Oct-2026

The Start Package Grants Programme supports Danish universities and research institutions in recruiting outstanding researchers from around the world. The programme provides up to DKK 10 million over four years to strengthen recruitment, encourage international researcher mobility, and advance research in health, sustainability, and emerging technologies. Researchers of any nationality are eligible, provided they meet the mobility and appointment requirements.

Start Package Grants Programme Overview

The Start Package Grants Programme is designed to help Danish universities, hospitals, and non-profit research institutions recruit exceptional researchers by providing financial support during the hiring process.

The programme strengthens Denmark’s international research competitiveness while encouraging researcher mobility between countries, universities, and industry.

Purpose of the Programme

The programme aims to:

Recruit world-class researchers to Danish research institutions
Increase international researcher mobility
Encourage movement between industry and academia
Strengthen Denmark’s research and innovation ecosystem
Support high-impact research in health, sustainability, and technology
Build long-term research capacity through competitive recruitment packages

Focus Areas

Applications should align with one or more of the programme’s strategic research priorities.

Health Research

Preventing and managing cardiometabolic diseases
Reducing the burden of infectious diseases
Regenerative medicine
Reducing health inequities

Agriculture and Food Systems

Sustainable and high-yield agriculture
Sustainable food systems for healthy diets

Climate and Sustainability

High-impact climate change mitigation technologies
Supporting society’s green transition

Fundamental Research

Research with future applications in health or sustainability, including:

Bioscience
Metabolism
Microbiome research
Systems biology
Natural sciences
Technical sciences
Data science
Computer science
Artificial intelligence (AI)
Quantum technologies
Mathematical modelling
Materials science
Robotics

Interdisciplinary Research

Research that combines multiple disciplines to address health or sustainability challenges.

Technology Development

Development of innovative technologies with applications in health or sustainability.

Funding Information

The programme provides four-year grants linked to academic recruitment.

Funding levels include:

Up to DKK 5 million for tenure-track Assistant Professor positions
Up to DKK 8 million for permanent Associate Professor positions
Up to DKK 10 million for permanent Full Professor positions
Up to DKK 10 million for Clinical Professor or Clinical Chair Professor positions with mandatory research responsibilities for at least five years

Who is Eligible?

Eligibility is divided into three categories:

Recruiting institution
Position
Candidate

Recruiting Institution Eligibility

Eligible institutions include:

Danish universities
Danish hospitals
Other non-profit research organisations in Denmark

Requirements include:

Only one application per vacant position and selected candidate
Institutions may submit multiple applications for different positions
A top candidate must be identified before submission
The candidate must be evaluated by an independent appointment committee
The committee must include at least:
- Two external members
- One international member
If funding is awarded, the appointment must be formally confirmed within two months

Position Eligibility

Assistant Professor

The position must:

Be part of an official tenure-track programme
Be publicly advertised
Not be a temporary assistant professor appointment outside tenure track

Associate Professor

The position must:

Be permanent
Be offered through a public advertisement or direct recruitment (“called” appointment)

Full Professor

The position must:

Be permanent
Be publicly advertised or offered through direct recruitment
Align with the Foundation’s strategic priorities

Note:
Professors with special responsibilities are not eligible under the Full Professor category but may qualify under the Associate Professor category.

Clinical Professor

Clinical professor positions must:

Include mandatory research responsibilities
Last at least five years
Be publicly advertised or offered through direct recruitment

Candidate Eligibility

The programme welcomes researchers of any nationality.

Candidates must:

Relocate to a new research institution
Demonstrate researcher mobility
Align their research with both the recruiting institution and Foundation priorities
Be assessed as qualified by an objective appointment committee

Mobility Requirements

During the previous 36 months:

Candidates must not have conducted research at the recruiting institution for more than 12 months
Approved leave periods are excluded from the calculation

For dual appointments:

Mobility requirements apply to both university and hospital affiliations

Internal recruitment within the same institution is not eligible.

Career Progression Requirements

Candidates recruited within Denmark must normally demonstrate career progression, such as:

Postdoctoral researcher to tenure-track Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor to Associate Professor
Associate Professor to Full Professor or Clinical Professor

Exception:

Candidates recruited from industry who have spent at least 24 of the previous 36 months outside academia are exempt from the career progression requirement.

Additional Requirements

The candidate must:

Have received a formal job offer
Not have started the position before the specified programme deadline
Establish a full-time research group within one year if funded

How the Programme Works (Step-by-Step)

Step 1: Recruit a Candidate

The institution identifies a highly qualified researcher for a vacant academic position.

Step 2: Conduct Independent Evaluation

An appointment committee evaluates the candidate’s qualifications.

Step 3: Prepare the Grant Application

The recruiting institution submits an application linked to the selected candidate and position.

Step 4: Foundation Assessment

Applications are reviewed based on:

Scientific excellence
Strategic alignment
Research impact
Mobility
Institutional commitment

Step 5: Appointment Confirmation

Successful institutions must confirm the candidate’s appointment within two months.

Step 6: Research Group Establishment

The researcher establishes a full-time research group within one year.

Why This Programme Matters

The Start Package Grants Programme helps:

Attract internationally competitive researchers
Strengthen Danish research excellence
Promote global scientific collaboration
Increase knowledge transfer between academia and industry
Advance innovation in health and sustainability
Build long-term research leadership
Support emerging technologies with societal impact

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Selecting candidates who do not meet mobility requirements
Applying for temporary assistant professor positions outside tenure track
Submitting applications before identifying a top candidate
Failing to include an appropriately constituted appointment committee
Recruiting internally within the same institution
Choosing projects outside the Foundation’s strategic priorities
Missing appointment confirmation deadlines

Tips for a Strong Application

Select candidates with outstanding international research records
Demonstrate clear strategic alignment with Foundation priorities
Highlight the candidate’s scientific excellence and leadership potential
Present a compelling long-term research vision
Show strong institutional support for the candidate
Explain how the research will create impact in health or sustainability
Ensure all mobility and eligibility requirements are fully satisfied

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who can apply for the Start Package Grants Programme?

Applications must be submitted by Danish universities, hospitals, or other non-profit research organisations recruiting an eligible researcher.

2. Can researchers from any country be recruited?

Yes. Researchers of any nationality are eligible.

3. What is the maximum funding available?

Funding ranges from DKK 5 million to DKK 10 million, depending on the academic position.

4. How long does the funding last?

Each grant provides funding for four years.

5. Is researcher mobility required?

Yes. Candidates must relocate to a new research institution and satisfy the programme’s mobility requirements.

6. Can researchers move from industry to academia?

Yes. Recruitment from industry is encouraged, and certain career progression requirements are waived for eligible candidates.

7. What research areas are supported?

The programme supports research in health, sustainability, agriculture, climate technologies, artificial intelligence, data science, quantum technologies, interdisciplinary science, and other strategic fields.

Conclusion

The Start Package Grants Programme is a strategic initiative that strengthens Denmark’s research excellence by helping institutions recruit exceptional researchers from around the world. Through substantial four-year funding, the programme supports internationally competitive recruitment, interdisciplinary research, and innovation across health, sustainability, agriculture, and emerging technologies.

For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.