# Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2 — Open Competition for Researchers

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** DKK 1M–5M per project; up to DKK 75M total for Parts 1 & 2
**Duration:** 1–3 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage; applications screened by NNF for eligibility, then evaluated by Committee on Clinical and Translational Medicine
**Frequency:** Up to 3 calls over ~3 years
**Eligible countries:** DK, FI, IS, NO, SE, GB
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/inter-sustain-part-2-for-researchers/
**Last verified:** 20 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Research on cardiometabolic disease (CMD), infectious disease, or regenerative medicine using shortlisted databases. Principal investigators must be independent researchers anchored at a university, hospital, or non-profit in the Nordics or UK. Postdocs and students ineligible as main applicant. Applicant salary cannot be covered. Letter of commitment from database custodian required.

## Summary

Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2 funds research on cardiometabolic disease, infectious disease, or regenerative medicine using designated international databases, with DKK 1-5 million per project across multiple calls. The Novo Nordisk Foundation targets independent researchers (not postdocs or students) anchored at universities, hospitals, or non-profits in the Nordic countries or UK. Applications require a letter of commitment from the database custodian and are evaluated in a single stage by the Committee on Clinical and Translational Medicine.

## Who should apply

- Independent researchers (group leaders, faculty) at universities, hospitals, or non-profits in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or the UK
- Research on cardiometabolic disease, infectious disease, or regenerative medicine using one of the pre-approved databases
- Applicants who can secure a letter of commitment from the relevant database custodian
- Senior researchers and established investigators; postdocs and PhD students cannot be principal investigators

## Key dates

- Up to three calls over approximately three years; exact dates to be announced on Novo Nordisk Foundation website
- Single-stage application and eligibility screening
- Project duration 1-3 years

## Tips for applicants

- Database custodian letter is mandatory and weighted in review; engage the custodian early in proposal development.
- Applicant salary cannot be budgeted, so plan carefully for personnel costs, focus funds on data access, analysis, and dissemination.
- The Committee on Clinical and Translational Medicine evaluates all applications; frame your work with explicit translational or clinical endpoints.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I request in the Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2 grant?

DKK 1-5 million per project over a 1-3 year period.

### Who is eligible to apply for Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2?

Independent researchers (not postdocs or students) anchored at a university, hospital, or non-profit institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, or the UK.

### Can I include my own salary in the Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2 budget?

No, applicant salary cannot be covered by the grant; plan other personnel and research costs instead.

### What research areas does Inter-SUSTAIN Part 2 fund?

Research on cardiometabolic disease, infectious disease, or regenerative medicine that uses one of the pre-approved databases specified in the call.

### Is a database custodian letter required?

Yes, applicants must include a letter of commitment from the custodian of the database they plan to use.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/novo-nordisk-foundation-inter-sustain-part-2-open-competition-for-research-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.