# Equipment Upgrade Programme

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** Up to DKK 3 million per grant
**Deadline:** 6 January 2027 (14:00 Copenhagen time)
**Duration:** Up to 4 years
**Consortium:** No - individual applicant, must be a grant holder of a previously funded Large Equipment and Facilities grant
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-09
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/equipment-upgrade-programme-only-for-invited-applicants/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Only applications submitted by an existing grant holder of the 'NNF Research Infrastructure Programme – Large Equipment and Facilities' are eligible; all other applications receive an administrative rejection. Applicant must hold a PhD. Natural/technical/computational science applications must show potential future applications in health or sustainability.

## Summary

The Novo Nordisk Foundation's Equipment Upgrade Programme provides up to DKK 3 million for up to four years to upgrade existing research equipment, but it is only open to current grant holders of the NNF Research Infrastructure Programme, Large Equipment and Facilities. Applicants must hold a PhD and be based in Denmark; natural, technical or computational science projects must also show future relevance to health or sustainability. All other applicants receive an automatic administrative rejection.

## Who should apply

- Existing grant holders of the NNF Research Infrastructure Programme, Large Equipment and Facilities
- PhD holders based at Danish research institutions
- Researchers needing to upgrade previously funded equipment rather than acquire new infrastructure
- Natural, technical or computational scientists able to show future health or sustainability relevance

## Key dates

- Annual deadline: 6 January 2027, 14:00 Copenhagen time
- Single-stage application process
- Up to 4-year project duration
- Next round expected to open September 2027

## Tips for applicants

- Confirm your prior Large Equipment and Facilities grant status before applying, applications from non-holders are rejected administratively without review.
- If working in natural, technical or computational science, explicitly state the future health or sustainability application in your proposal, as this is a scoping requirement.
- Frame the request as an upgrade to existing funded equipment, not a new infrastructure acquisition, to match the call's intent.

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is eligible for the NNF Equipment Upgrade Programme?

Only existing grant holders of the NNF Research Infrastructure Programme, Large Equipment and Facilities who hold a PhD and are based in Denmark; all other applicants are administratively rejected.

### How much does the Equipment Upgrade Programme pay?

Up to DKK 3 million per grant, for projects lasting up to 4 years.

### When is the deadline for the Equipment Upgrade Programme?

The deadline is 6 January 2027 at 14:00 Copenhagen time, with the call running annually and the next round expected to open in September 2027.

### Can I apply if I've never held an NNF Large Equipment and Facilities grant?

No, applications from researchers without a current Large Equipment and Facilities grant are automatically rejected without review.

### Is this a consortium grant?

No, it is an individual applicant grant with no consortium requirement.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/novo-nordisk-foundation-equipment-upgrade-programme-2027-01) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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