# Reducing childhood vulnerability - health promotion in social initiatives 2026

**Funder:** Novo Nordisk Foundation
**Budget:** DKK 1M–4M per grant (total pool up to DKK 35M)
**Deadline:** 20 August 2026 (Deadline not explicitly stated; decisions communicated December 2026. Information meeting 20 May 2026 (past). Applications submitted via NORMA system in Danish or English.)
**Duration:** 1–5 years
**Consortium:** Required — minimum 2 partners from 2 different sectors (health and social)
**Application:** Single stage; screening after deadline, then committee evaluation; decisions in December 2026
**Frequency:** Annual
**Eligible countries:** DK
**Official call:** https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/reducing-childhood-vulnerability-health-promotion-in-social-initiatives-2026/
**Last verified:** 24 June 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to non-profit organisations and public institutions in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Research institutions may be co-applicants but not lead applicants. Projects must integrate health promotion into social initiatives for vulnerable children aged 0–10. Cross-sectoral collaboration between health and social sectors required. Proposals in Danish or English; Greenlandic/Faroese not accepted. Project start between 1 Jan–31 Dec 2027.

## Summary

The Novo Nordisk Foundation's Reducing Childhood Vulnerability call funds health-promotion initiatives embedded in social services for children aged 0-10 across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. Non-profit organisations and public institutions lead consortia of at least two partners from different sectors (health and social), with budgets of DKK 1-4 million per grant. Projects run 1-5 years and must launch between January and December 2027.

## Who should apply

- Non-profit organisations or public institutions in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands as lead applicant
- Consortia with at least 2 partners from different sectors, one health, one social
- Projects targeting vulnerable children aged 0-10
- Research institutions as co-applicants (not lead)
- Teams designing integrated health-promotion activities within social service settings

## Key dates

- Deadline 20 August 2026; applications via NORMA system in Danish or English
- Single-stage review with screening and committee evaluation; decisions December 2026
- Project start between 1 January and 31 December 2027; funding duration 1-5 years

## Tips for applicants

- Consortium framing is gating, ensure both health and social sector partners are named and committed; vague multi-sector language will not pass screening.
- Vulnerability and early childhood are the primary focus: articulate which risk factors (economic, social, developmental) your initiative addresses and how health promotion reduces them.
- Write the proposal in Danish if your consortium is primarily Danish-based; Novo Nordisk Foundation panels weight clarity and cultural fit, and Danish-language proposals avoid translation friction.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I apply for in the Reducing Childhood Vulnerability call?

Between DKK 1 million and DKK 4 million per grant; the total call pool is DKK 35 million.

### Who can be the lead applicant?

Non-profit organisations or public institutions in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands; research institutions may join as co-applicants but cannot lead.

### Do I need a consortium?

Yes, you must have at least 2 partners from 2 different sectors, one from health, one from social, working together on the application.

### What age group does the call target?

Children aged 0-10 years; projects must address vulnerability and integrate health promotion into social services.

### When can my project start?

Between 1 January and 31 December 2027; the funding duration is 1-5 years.

---

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