# Lundbeck Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation Body-Brain Interdisciplinary Projects

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** DKK 15–20 million
**Deadline:** 13 August 2026 (Full application deadline (by invitation only); Expression of Interest deadline was 2026-04-16; Final decision December 2026)
**Duration:** 5 years
**Consortium:** Required — 2–3 applicants; at least one at a Danish non-commercial institution and at least one at a non-Danish European non-commercial institution
**Application:** 2-stage: Expression of Interest → Full application (by invitation only)
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/lundbeck-foundation-and-novo-nordisk-foundation-body-brain-interdisciplinary-projects/
**Last verified:** 18 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to independent researchers bridging neuroscientific and cardiometabolic research fields. At least one applicant must be at a non-commercial Danish institution and at least one at a non-commercial European (non-Danish) institution. No overhead/indirect costs funded (except up to 5% for non-university Danish institutions). No commercial activities, drug trials with industry, or projects with commercial implications. Proposals must be in English.

## Summary

The Lundbeck Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation Body-Brain Interdisciplinary Projects call funds research bridging neuroscience and cardiometabolic disease, awarding DKK 15-20 million over five years. Applicants must form a 2-3 person consortium including at least one independent researcher at a Danish non-commercial institution and one at a non-Danish European non-commercial institution. This call emphasises interdisciplinary collaboration and excludes commercial activity, industry-sponsored trials, and projects with commercial implications.

## Who should apply

- Independent researchers with expertise in neuroscience and cardiometabolic disease bridging
- Applicants based at Danish non-commercial research institutions or universities
- Researchers at non-Danish European non-commercial institutions (required co-applicants)
- Teams ready to form consortia of 2-3 investigators across institutional boundaries
- Researchers committed to fundamental research without commercial or industry-trial involvement

## Key dates

- Expression of Interest deadline was 16 April 2026; full application deadline 13 August 2026 (by invitation only from EOI shortlist)
- Final decision expected December 2026
- Five-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- The consortium structure is gating: you must identify and secure commitment from a co-applicant at a Danish institution and a separate co-applicant at a non-Danish European institution before submission.
- Overhead costs are capped at 5% for non-university Danish institutions and excluded entirely for universities and European partners; budget proposals must reflect this constraint.
- The interdisciplinary framing is central to the funder's thesis, emphasise the conceptual link between body and brain mechanisms in your research question, not simply parallel studies.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Lundbeck Foundation and Novo Nordisk Foundation Body-Brain grant pay?

DKK 15-20 million over a five-year project period, depending on scope and complexity.

### Who can apply to the Body-Brain Interdisciplinary Projects call?

Independent researchers bridging neuroscience and cardiometabolic research, organised in a consortium of 2-3 applicants with at least one at a Danish non-commercial institution and one at a non-Danish European non-commercial institution.

### Is this a two-stage process?

Yes; Expression of Interest (deadline 16 April 2026) followed by full application by invitation only (deadline 13 August 2026).

### Can commercial organisations or industry-sponsored trials be part of this research?

No; the call excludes commercial activities, drug trials with industry involvement, and projects with commercial implications.

### Are indirect costs covered in the Lundbeck/Novo Nordisk Body-Brain grant?

No overhead or indirect costs are funded except up to 5% for non-university Danish institutions.

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