# Distinguished Innovator Grant — Health

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** Up to DKK 7.6 million
**Duration:** 3 years
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** DK, FI, IS, NO, SE
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/distinguished-innovator-grant/
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Main applicant must be a senior faculty member/researcher at a Nordic research institution or hospital/clinic, with a proven innovation track record (patents, spinouts). Covers med-tech, pharma, industrial biotech, and quantum technologies; focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases. Projects must have clear commercialisation outlook; pre-CVR only. Non-profit host institution required.

## Summary

The Distinguished Innovator Grant, Health provides up to DKK 7.6 million over three years for senior researchers at Nordic institutions to develop commercially viable med-tech, industrial biotech, or pharma projects with a focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases. Applicants must have a proven track record of innovation (patents, spinouts, or equivalent) and partner with a non-profit administrator. Co-applicants may be international, and the call is open across Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

## Who should apply

- Senior faculty and established researchers at Nordic academic or hospital institutions
- Applicants with demonstrated innovation track record: patents, spinouts, or equivalent commercial traction
- Med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, or quantum-tech projects with cardiometabolic or infectious-disease focus
- Projects designed for commercial translation and requiring non-profit administration
- Teams willing to include optional international co-applicants

## Key dates

- Annual deadline (check Novo Nordisk Foundation site for next round)
- Single-stage written evaluation
- Three-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Emphasize prior innovation assets (patents, licensing deals, spinout involvement), the panel weights track record heavily.
- Articulate a clear commercialisation pathway and identify a credible non-profit partner for project administration upfront.
- Cardiometabolic and infectious disease focus carries strategic weight; map your innovation to one of these priority areas explicitly.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Distinguished Innovator Grant, Health provide?

Up to DKK 7.6 million over three years per project.

### Who is eligible for the Distinguished Innovator Grant, Health?

Senior faculty and researchers at Nordic (DK, FI, IS, NO, SE) academic or hospital institutions with a proven innovation track record such as patents or spinouts.

### What research areas does the Distinguished Innovator Grant, Health fund?

Med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum tech with a focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases, provided projects have commercial viability.

### Can international researchers apply to the Distinguished Innovator Grant, Health?

The primary applicant must be based at a Nordic institution, but international co-applicants are permitted.

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