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.