# Exploratory Research Instrumentation

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** DKK 2 million–7.6 million per grant (total pool up to DKK 21 million)
**Deadline:** 6 January 2027 (14:00 Copenhagen time)
**Duration:** Up to 4 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-10
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/exploratory-research-instrumentation/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports development of novel, non-commercially-available research instrumentation and related data science tools at Danish non-profit research institutions. Applicant must hold a PhD and be employed at least 80% as postdoc, scientist, or professor-level staff at a Danish university or research institution.

## Summary

The Exploratory Research Instrumentation grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation funds development of novel research instrumentation and related data science tools that are not commercially available, with awards of DKK 2-7.6 million for up to four years. It is open to PhD holders employed at least 80% as postdocs, scientists, or professors at Danish universities or research institutions. The call runs annually and does not require a consortium.

## Who should apply

- PhD holders employed at least 80% as postdoc, scientist, or professor-level staff
- Researchers based at Danish universities or non-profit research institutions
- Projects building novel instrumentation or data science tools unavailable commercially
- Single applicants, as no consortium is required

## Key dates

- Deadline: 6 January 2027, 14:00 Copenhagen time
- Single-stage application process
- Up to four-year project duration
- Annual call; next round expected October 2027

## Tips for applicants

- Emphasize the non-commercial-availability angle explicitly, the call is specifically for instrumentation that cannot be bought off the shelf.
- Since this is single-stage, the full proposal must carry the complete technical and budget case up front; there is no pre-proposal filter to refine it later.
- Budget requests can scale up to DKK 7.6 million, so size the request to match the instrumentation's actual development complexity rather than defaulting to a lower tier.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the Novo Nordisk Foundation Exploratory Research Instrumentation grant provide?

Grants range from DKK 2 million to DKK 7.6 million per project, with a total pool of up to DKK 21 million across the round.

### Who is eligible for the Exploratory Research Instrumentation grant?

PhD holders employed at least 80% as postdoc, scientist, or professor-level staff at a Danish university or research institution.

### Is a consortium required for this grant?

No, the call does not require a consortium.

### How long can a funded project run?

Projects can run for up to four years.

### When is the application deadline?

The deadline is 6 January 2027 at 14:00 Copenhagen time, and the call runs annually with the next round expected in October 2027.

---

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

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=novo-nordisk-foundation-exploratory-research-instrumentation-2027-01).