# Challenge Programme 2027 — Advancing Next Generation AMR Diagnostics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections **Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation **Budget:** DKK 30–75M (ca. EUR 4–10M) per grant; total budget up to DKK 150M (ca. EUR 20M) **Duration:** 6 years **Consortium:** Required — 2–4 research groups (main applicant + 1–3 co-applicants); at least one applicant must be based at a Danish institution **Application:** 2-stage: Stage 1 expression of interest → Stage 2 full proposal + online presentation **Frequency:** One-off **Eligible countries:** AT, BE, BG, HR, CY, CZ, DK, EE, FI, FR, DE, GR, HU, IE, IT, LV, LT, LU, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SK, SI, ES, SE, IS, LI, NO, CH, GB **Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/challenge-programme-2027-advancing-next-generation-amr-diagnostics-for-lower-respiratory-tract-infections/ **Last verified:** 8 July 2026 > **Recently updated:** catalog cleanup 2026-07-04: duplicate row (canonical sibling kept) ## Eligibility & scope Main applicant must be an independent tenured/tenure-track researcher employed (≥75% commitment) at a European (EU, Schengen Area, or UK) university, hospital, or non-profit research organisation. At least one applicant must be ≥75% employed at a Danish institution. Co-applicants may be global. For-profit product development is ineligible; research must be anchored at a research institution or non-profit. Focus: early-stage proof-of-concept for rapid, minimally invasive LRTI diagnostics at point-of-care. ## Summary The Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge Programme 2027 funds early-stage diagnostic innovation for lower respiratory tract infections with grants of €4-10 million over six years. Applicants must form consortiums of 2-4 research groups with at least one Danish institution and a main applicant at a European university or non-profit with tenured or tenure-track status. The call prioritises rapid, minimally invasive, affordable point-of-care diagnostics grounded in proof-of-concept research, and runs as a one-off competitive round. ## Who should apply - Tenured or tenure-track researchers at European universities, hospitals, or non-profit institutions with ≥75% employment - Consortium leaders assembling 2-4 research groups with at least one partner ≥75% employed at a Danish institution - Early-stage diagnostic research teams working on minimally invasive, affordable LRTI point-of-care tests - Groups with clinical translation potential but not seeking commercial product development funding - Applicants willing to engage industry partners as collaborators (not as funded co-applicants) ## Key dates - Two-stage process: Stage 1 expression of interest, followed by Stage 2 full proposal for shortlisted consortiums - Specific deadlines not yet published; check Novo Nordisk Foundation website for 2027 schedule - Six-year project duration if funded ## Tips for applicants - Consortium composition is gating: ensure your Danish partner meets the ≥75% employment threshold before submission, as misalignment here will stall Stage 1 review. - Stage 1 is a filter for fit and feasibility; spend it demonstrating clear proof-of-concept groundwork and naming committed co-applicants rather than speculating on final protocols. - Emphasise affordable, point-of-care delivery in your diagnostic design; Novo Nordisk Foundation prioritises implementation potential in lower-resource settings, not laboratory-only assays. ## Frequently asked questions ### How much can I receive from the Novo Nordisk Foundation Challenge 2027 AMR Diagnostics call? Individual grants range from €4 million to €10 million (approximately DKK 30-75 million) for a six-year project. The total funding pool across all awards is approximately €20 million. ### Do I need a consortium to apply? Yes, you must assemble a consortium of 2-4 research groups, with yourself as the main applicant at a European tenured/tenure-track post and at least one co-applicant ≥75% employed at a Danish institution. ### Can for-profit companies or industry partners receive funding? No, for-profit product development is ineligible. However, industry partners may collaborate and contribute in-kind or as partners, provided they do not receive direct grant funding. ### What type of diagnostics research is in scope? Early-stage proof-of-concept research on rapid, minimally invasive, affordable point-of-care diagnostics for lower respiratory tract infections, anchored at a research institution or non-profit. ### Is this a recurring call? No, the Challenge Programme 2027 is a one-off call. There is no indication of future rounds at this time. --- Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/novo-nordisk-foundation-challenge-programme-2027-advancing-next-generation-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.