# Clinical and Independent Research

**Funder:** Independent Research Fund Denmark
**Budget:** Up to DKK 5,000,000 excl. overhead
**Deadline:** 24 February 2027
**Duration:** Up to 5 years
**Consortium:** Required — applicant and a named Co-PI must enter into a binding joint research collaboration
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://dff.dk/en/apply-for-funding/see-what-you-can-apply-for/current-funding-opportunities/instruments/2027/februar/clinical-and-independent-research-2027/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Thematic call for point-of-care clinical and independent research in Denmark, including prevention, treatment effects, rare diseases, AMR and dementia research. Applicant and Co-PI must each hold a PhD or equivalent at deadline; application must be written in English; embedded PhD/postdoc scholarships permitted.

## Summary

The Independent Research Fund Denmark's Clinical and Independent Research grant funds up to DKK 5,000,000 over five years for joint projects in point-of-care clinical research, rare diseases, antimicrobial resistance, dementia, or health inequality. It requires a binding collaboration between a named applicant and Co-PI, both holding a PhD and based in Denmark, with embedded PhD or postdoc positions allowed within the budget. The call runs annually under DFF's 2026-2029 thematic programme.

## Who should apply

- PhD-holding researchers able to name a Co-PI for a binding joint collaboration
- Applicants based at Danish research institutions
- Researchers working on point-of-care clinical research, rare diseases, AMR, dementia, or health inequality
- Teams wanting to embed a PhD or postdoc position within a multi-year clinical project

## Key dates

- Deadline: 24 February 2027
- Single-stage application process
- Annual call; project duration up to 5 years

## Tips for applicants

- Secure your Co-PI early, the joint applicant-Co-PI structure is binding and must be named at submission, not added later.
- Frame the project explicitly within one of the five named thematic areas (point-of-care, rare diseases, AMR, dementia, health inequality); proposals outside these risk being deemed out of scope.
- If embedding a PhD or postdoc scholarship, budget it clearly within the DKK 5M cap since it counts against the total award.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the DFF Clinical and Independent Research grant provide?

Up to DKK 5,000,000 excluding overhead, for projects lasting up to five years.

### Who can apply for the DFF Clinical and Independent Research grant?

Applications must be led jointly by an applicant and a named Co-PI, both holding a PhD, based at an eligible Danish institution.

### What research topics does this call cover?

The call targets point-of-care clinical research, rare diseases, antimicrobial resistance, dementia, and health inequality under DFF's 2026-2029 Clinical and Independent Research theme.

### Is this a single-stage or multi-stage application process?

It is a single-stage application process, with an annual deadline.

### Can PhD students be included in the project budget?

Yes, embedded PhD or postdoc scholarships are permitted within the project.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/independent-research-fund-denmark-clinical-and-independent-research-2027-02) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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