# Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** DKK 6–22 million per grant
**Deadline:** 18 August 2026 (14:00 Copenhagen time)
**Duration:** 3–5 years
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Single stage
**Frequency:** Annual
**Next round:** 2027-06
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/investigator-initiated-clinical-trials/
**Last verified:** 1 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports larger non-commercial clinical trials (monocentric or multicenter) anchored at a Danish hospital. Main applicant must be based in Denmark. International trials coordinated outside Denmark may apply for the Danish portion only. Trials must conform to GCP guidelines. Open to mid-career and established research leaders in clinical medicine.

## Summary

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials grant funds larger non-commercial clinical trials in Denmark with budgets of DKK 6-22 million over 3-5 years. The call targets established and mid-career research leaders (Associate Professor or Professor level) based at Danish institutions, running patient-centred trials evaluating new medicines and technologies. This is a single-stage annual call with an August deadline.

## Who should apply

- Associate Professors and Professors leading independent research groups
- Researchers based at Danish academic or hospital institutions
- Non-commercial clinical trial projects evaluating medicines or medical technology
- Researchers with established track records in patient-centred clinical research

## Key dates

- Deadline 18 August 2026, 14:00 Copenhagen time
- Single-stage application and review
- 3-5 year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Emphasise the non-commercial, patient-benefit angle, this funder explicitly excludes industry-sponsored trials and prioritises clinical improvements.
- Include clear endpoints and feasibility data; clinical trials require robust methodology justification given the budget and scale.
- Secure institutional support letters from your host hospital or university, this grant demands dedicated infrastructure and patient recruitment capacity.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding is available for an investigator-initiated clinical trial?

Grants range from DKK 6 million to DKK 22 million per project.

### Who is eligible for the Novo Nordisk Foundation Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials grant?

Established and mid-career research leaders at Associate Professor or Professor level based at Danish institutions.

### How long can an investigator-initiated clinical trial run?

Project duration is 3 to 5 years.

### Can commercial companies sponsor an investigator-initiated trial funded by Novo Nordisk?

No, the grant supports non-commercial trials only, aimed at improving patient treatment through new medicine and technology.

### When is the next deadline for this grant?

The next expected round opens in June 2027; this call recurs annually.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/novo-nordisk-foundation-investigator-initiated-clinical-trials-2026-08) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.