# Clinical Distinguished Investigator (NNF Research Leader Programme 2025)

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** Up to DKK 11 million over 5 years
**Duration:** 5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/clinical-distinguished-investigator/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Individual grant (no co-applicants) for medical research relevant to patients and human health, including translational/clinical research, disease mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnostics, public health, clinical trials, and biomedicine. Master students, PhD students, and postdocs are ineligible. Up to two grants awarded. Applicants may only submit one application across all NNF Research Leader Programme 2025 calls.

## Summary

The Clinical Distinguished Investigator grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation awards up to DKK 11 million over five years to established medical researchers launching patient-relevant research in Denmark. The call funds individual applications (no co-applicants) across translational research, disease mechanisms, epidemiology, diagnostics, clinical trials, and biomedicine. Only two grants are awarded per round, and applicants may submit only one application across all NNF Research Leader Programme 2025 calls.

## Who should apply

- Established researchers beyond postdoctoral stage, based at Danish institutions
- Medical researchers with track records in translational, clinical, or basic biomedical research
- Projects with clear relevance to patients and human health
- Applicants prepared to lead independent research without co-investigators

## Key dates

- Call opens at an unspecified date in 2025; monitor the NNF website for the application link
- Five-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Only two grants awarded per round; a clear patient-health connection strengthens competitiveness.
- You may submit only one application across all NNF Research Leader Programme 2025 calls, so choose this track carefully if you are considering others.
- The individual-grant structure means no co-investigator letters; spotlight your own leadership and feasibility explicitly.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Clinical Distinguished Investigator grant award?

Up to DKK 11 million over five years.

### Who is eligible for the Clinical Distinguished Investigator grant?

Established researchers beyond postdoctoral stage, based at Danish institutions, working on patient-relevant medical research.

### Can I apply with co-investigators?

No, this is an individual grant; co-applicants are not permitted.

### Can I apply to multiple NNF Research Leader Programme 2025 calls?

No, you may submit only one application across all NNF Research Leader Programme 2025 calls.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/novo-nordisk-foundation-clinical-distinguished-investigator-nnf-research-l-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.