# Pioneer Innovator Grant — Health

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** Up to DKK 1.2M
**Duration:** 1 year
**Consortium:** No
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** DK, FI, IS, NO, SE
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/pioneer-innovator-grant/
**Last updated:** 20 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports innovative research in med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum technologies with focus on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases. Main applicant must be faculty, researcher, or student at a Nordic university, hospital, or research institution. Must be administered by a non-profit; pre-CVR only; clear commercialisation outlook required.

## Summary

The Novo Nordisk Foundation's Pioneer Innovator Grant, Health funds innovative research in med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum technologies, with up to DKK 1.2 million over one year. The call targets faculty, researchers, and students at Nordic universities, hospitals, and research institutions, working on cardiometabolic or infectious disease challenges with a clear commercialisation pathway. The grant requires projects to be administered by a non-profit with pre-CVR status only, and runs annually.

## Who should apply

- Faculty, researchers, or students at Nordic universities, hospitals, or research institutions
- Projects in med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, or quantum technologies
- Research addressing cardiometabolic or infectious diseases
- Applicants with a clear commercialisation strategy or pathway to market
- Pre-CVR projects administered by non-profit entities

## Key dates

- Annual call (verify exact deadline on Novo Nordisk Foundation website)
- Single-stage application
- One-year project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Commercialisation outlook is non-negotiable; articulate a realistic market or scaling pathway in your proposal.
- The non-profit administration requirement and pre-CVR restriction are gating criteria, ensure your institution meets both before investing effort.
- Quantum technologies are explicitly eligible; if your project bridges quantum methods and cardiometabolic or infectious disease, make that innovation angle explicit.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Novo Nordisk Pioneer Innovator Grant pay?

Up to DKK 1.2 million for a one-year project.

### Who can apply for the Pioneer Innovator Grant, Health?

Faculty, researchers, and students at Nordic universities, hospitals, or research institutions in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.

### What research areas does the Pioneer Innovator Grant support?

Med-tech, industrial biotech, pharma, and quantum technologies focused on cardiometabolic and infectious diseases with clear commercialisation potential.

### Is the Pioneer Innovator Grant recurring?

Yes, Novo Nordisk Foundation runs this call annually.

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

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