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Research grants for Danish researchers
Open grants eligible for researchers at Danish universities and hospitals
324 open calls eligible for Denmark-based researchers
Denmark's funding landscape has one of the largest private foundations in the world (Novo Nordisk Foundation) alongside the Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) and Lundbeck Foundation. Strong Horizon Europe participation. This page lists every open call that allows applicants from Denmark.
Primary funders for Danish researchers
Open calls
Wellcome
Wellcome Discovery Awards
Average £3.5 million, up to £5 million
22 Mar 2026
Wellcome
Wellcome Career Development Awards
Usually below £250,000 annually (excluding applicant salary)
22 Mar 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw Off Road 2026
Curiosity-driven fundamental research 'off the beaten track'
24 Mar 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw Rubicon 2026-1
Postdoctoral research abroad
24 Mar 2026
ZonMw
Rubicon 2026-1
€3,145,000
24 Mar 2026
KWF
KWF Implementation of Biomarkers 2026
Up to €500,000
24 Mar 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Conferences, Symposia and Workshops 2026-1
DKK 50,000 to DKK 500,000 per grant
25 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants – Early Career
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grant Program 2027
~€1,200,000 (up to $500k/yr × 3yr)
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants – Program
26 Mar 2026
HFSP
HFSP Research Grants 2027 (Early Career & Program)
Fixed sums by team size (~$150K-$450K/year for 3 years)
26 Mar 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Exploration Call 2026-3
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
31 Mar 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Development Call 2026-2
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
31 Mar 2026
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
€15,000 + up to €10,000 per year
1 Apr 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research Programs 2026
Variable (larger program grants)
1 Apr 2026
Worldwide Cancer Research
2026 Grant Round
2 Apr 2026
Worldwide Cancer Research
Worldwide Cancer Research 2026 Grant Round
Up to £250,000 (~€295K)
2 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Exploration Call 2026-1 (Full Proposal Phase)
Varies
7 Apr 2026
KWF
Call 2026 / YIG
7 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
~€750K-1M (typical YIG budget)
7 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Young Investigator Grant 2026
Max €600,000
7 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Exploration Call 2026-1
Variable (Research Project, Consortium, Unique High-Risk)
7 Apr 2026
NWO
SSH Open Competition XS 2026 Round 2
Up to €50,000
7 Apr 2026
KWF
Exploration Call 2026-1
7 Apr 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Start Package Grants – For faculty recruitment Q2 2026
DKK 10 million per grant
8 Apr 2026
Wellcome
Climate Impacts Awards: Unlocking urgent climate action making health
Up to £2.5 million per award
8 Apr 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation Start Package Grants Q2 2026
DKK 10M (~€1.34M)
8 Apr 2026
European Commission - Horizon Europe
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND 2026
Up to €10 million per beneficiary
8 Apr 2026
NWO / ZonMw
NWO Talent Programme Vidi 2025 (ZonMw)
€800K
9 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Game Changer Grant 2026
Up to $600,000 (3 years)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG New Investigator Grant
Up to $400K over 3 years (max $135K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant
Up to $600K over 3 years (max $200K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Fellowship Grant
$200K-$300K over 3 years
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant 2026
Up to $600K over 3 years ($200K/year)
10 Apr 2026
ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation
ChadTough Defeat DIPG New Investigator Grant 2026
Up to $400K over 3 years ($135K/year)
10 Apr 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Biomarker Validation 2026
€0.8-2M per consortium (total budget €4-6M)
14 Apr 2026
KWF
KWF Call for Validation of Biomarker Candidates 2026
Theme call - collaborative multidisciplinary studies
14 Apr 2026
Simons Foundation
Simons Graduate Fellowship in Ecology and Evolution
$55,000/year stipend + research
15 Apr 2026
Chan Zuckerberg Initiative / Wellcome / Kavli
CZI Essential Open Source Software for Science (Cycle 6)
2-year grants for open source software maintenance and development
15 Apr 2026
EIT Health
Certified Innovation Path: European Health Data Space
27 Apr 2026
Online certified education programme open to Master students, Master graduates, PhD students, and healthcare professionals in healthcare-related studies. Covers health data analytics, AI, FAIR principles, GDPR, EHDS, telemedicine, and precision medicine. Costs vary: EU students €1,000, non-EU students €2,000, EU professionals €2,000, non-EU professionals €4,000. Professional English required.
EIT Health
Certified Innovation Path: Digital Medical Devices
27 Apr 2026
Online education programme open to Master's and PhD students and working/healthcare professionals seeking to upskill in digital medical devices. Covers AI, cybersecurity, MDR/IVDR regulation, and personalised health solutions. Costs vary by applicant type (EU student €1,000 to non-EU professional €4,000 excl. VAT); professional English required.
EIT Health
High Value Care Certified Innovation Path
27 Apr 2026
EIT Label-certified online education programme (up to 30 ECTS) open to Master students/graduates, PhD students, and healthcare professionals in healthcare-related fields. Professional English required. Costs vary: EU students €1,000, non-EU students €2,000, EU professionals €2,000, non-EU professionals €4,000 (excl. VAT). Focuses on high value care, innovation, entrepreneurship, and leadership in healthcare.
ALSF
ALSF Crazy 8 Initiative – Pediatric Brain Tumors 2026
Multi-million $ collaborative grants
28 Apr 2026
ALSF
ALSF Crazy 8 Initiative – Pediatric Brain Tumors
Large collaborative grant (varies)
28 Apr 2026
ALSF
Crazy 8 Brain Tumor Grant – By Invitation Only
28 Apr 2026
Full proposal stage (by invitation only) for the Crazy 8 Brain Tumor grant targeting pediatric brain tumor research. Open since January 2026; notification in November 2026.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation NERD Programme 2026
Up to DKK 16M (~€2.1M)
1 May 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation Data Science Collaborative 2026
Up to DKK 40M (~€5.4M) depending on consortium size
1 May 2026
KWF
Lead4life Ppp Call 2026
5 May 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
PREPARE - Grants for educational developments at universities 2026
Approx. DKK 45 million annually
6 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027
~€170,000 (3yr salary + research)
7 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships - Long-Term Fellowships (LTF)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships - Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 (LTF & CDF)
Living + research allowances for 3 years (country-dependent)
12 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowship (LTF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a biological discipline who wish to pursue frontier, interdisciplinary life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. 100% FTE commitment required; for-profit host institutions ineligible.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree in a non-biological discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with little or no life sciences experience, wishing to transition into frontier life sciences research in a new country. Same mobility, publication, and host-institution rules as LTF; 100% FTE commitment required.
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowships (LTF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers with a PhD in a biological discipline who wish to pursue frontier, interdisciplinary life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. Purely applied, clinical, or pharmaceutical projects are excluded. Full-time commitment required; 100% FTE.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF) 2027
12 May 2026
For postdoctoral researchers holding a doctoral degree from a non-biological discipline (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) with little or no life sciences experience, wishing to transition into frontier life sciences research in a new country. Applicants must change country, cannot work in their country of nationality or PhD country, and must have at least one lead-author publication. Full-time commitment required; 100% FTE.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants
Up to DKK 4-7 million per grant
15 May 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants
Up to DKK 4M (~€536K) for Nordic PI; up to DKK 7M (~€938K) for collaborative
15 May 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme 2026
Up to DKK 19.4 million per grant
20 May 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme 2026
Up to DKK 19.4M (~€2.6M)
20 May 2026
Swiss National Science Foundation
SNSF Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials 2026
Up to CHF 2 million (~€2.1M)
26 May 2026
HFSP
HFSP Long-Term Fellowship (LTF)
31 May 2026
For postdoctoral applicants with a PhD in a biological discipline or prior life sciences experience. Must propose to undertake fellowship in an HFSPO member country and must not have previously worked/studied in the proposed host country or with the host supervisor. Excludes clinical, pharmaceutical, applied engineering/biotech projects. Preference for interdisciplinary training involving new methods or study systems.
HFSP
HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowship (CDF)
31 May 2026
For postdoctoral applicants with a PhD outside the life sciences (e.g. physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, computer science) who have never worked in the life sciences. Must propose fellowship in an HFSPO member country; mobility rule prohibits prior work/study in proposed host country or with host supervisor. Excludes clinical, pharmaceutical, and applied projects.
ZonMw
ZonMw Promising Medicines ME/CFS — Drug Repurposing
€500,000-€1,000,000
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Children Cancer-free Foundation)
KiKa Childhood Cancer Research Projects - June 2026 Round
No budget limit; typically €400K-€800K per project (max 4 years)
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research & Pilot Projects 2026 (Round 2)
Varies
1 Jun 2026
KiKa (Stichting Kinderen Kankervrij)
KiKa Research & Pilot Projects 2026
Variable (childhood cancer research)
1 Jun 2026
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
KWF Proof of Concept 2026-2
Up to €150K (typical PoC)
2 Jun 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Steno Collaborative Grants
DKK 1M–DKK 10M per grant (total pool up to DKK 30M)
2 Jun 2026
Main Applicant must be from a Steno Diabetes Center or a Steno Partner Institution (hospitals with a cooperative agreement with a Steno Diabetes Center) in Denmark. Project must include 2–5 co-applicants. Focuses on clinical, patient-centered, and collaborative diabetes research. International co-applicants eligible; international collaboration encouraged.
ZonMw
ZonMw Off-Road 2026
€100,000
3 Jun 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Non-Diabetic Endocrinology Collaborative Grants 2026
DKK 5M–10M per grant (total pool up to DKK 53M)
3 Jun 2026
Clinical, collaborative research on non-diabetic endocrine disorders (thyroid, calcium metabolism, pituitary/adrenal/neuroendocrine, reproduction). Main applicant must be anchored at a Danish or Nordic university hospital, minimum Assistant Professor level (postdocs ineligible as main applicant). Danish anchor mandatory; if main applicant is Nordic, at least one co-applicant must be from a Danish university hospital. Diabetes research is not eligible.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Project grants in Endocrinology and Metabolism – Nordic Region
Up to DKK 4.5 million per grant
4 Jun 2026
Open to experienced independent researchers (not PhD students or postdocs) at universities, hospitals, or non-profit research institutions in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. Covers basic and clinical research in endocrinology and metabolism. Co-applicants not allowed; applicant's own salary cannot be covered. DKK 11M earmarked for special theme 'Hormone regulation in women's health'.
ALSF
Bio-Therapeutic Impact Grant
9 Jun 2026
Childhood cancer bio-therapeutic research grant from Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation. Opened April 2026; notification November 2026. Scope and eligibility details available on the applicants page.
FNR Luxembourg
INTER – EP PerMed Call 2026
9 Jun 2026
Thematic multilateral call on personalised medicine under the EP PerMed partnership. Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk NERD Programme 2026
Up to DKK 10M (~€1.3M)
10 Jun 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Data Science Collaborative Research 2026
Up to DKK 30M (~€4M)
10 Jun 2026
ZonMw
ZonMw ValNAM 2026
€200,000-€500,000
15 Jun 2026 · 0d
European Commission
Horizon Europe 2026 Research Infrastructure Programme Calls
16 Jun 2026 · 1d
Horizon Europe Research Infrastructure programme calls open March 10 – June 16, 2026. Targets research infrastructure projects; EU consortium requirement applies. FCT coordinates Portuguese national participation. An EC info day was held March 18, 2026. Eligible entities include universities, research centres, and ERIC members.
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) + European partners
KWF INTER-LOCAL 2026 (International Rare Cancer Call)
Variable (multi-partner European)
18 Jun 2026 · 3d
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Start Package Grants – for faculty recruitment Q3 2026
Up to DKK 10 million per grant
25 Jun 2026 · 10d
Supports Danish universities and research institutions in recruiting top researchers of any nationality. Grant accompanies a faculty position offer: up to DKK 5M (assistant professor/tenure track), up to DKK 8M (associate professor), up to DKK 10M (full professor or clinical chair). Host institution must be in Denmark. Q4 2026 call opens 25 June 2026.
Fundación BBVA
BBVA Foundation Frontiers of Knowledge Awards – 19th Edition
30 Jun 2026 · 15d
International awards recognising outstanding contributions across multiple categories: Basic Sciences, Biology & Biomedicine, Climate Change & Environmental Sciences, Economics/Finance/Management, Humanities, ICT, Music & Opera, and Social Sciences. These are prizes for lifetime/career achievement rather than funded research grants.
FNR Luxembourg
INTER – EP BrainHealth JTC 2026, Call 2
30 Jun 2026 · 15d
Thematic multilateral call on neurodegenerative disorders under the EP BrainHealth partnership. Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
KWF
KWF Pipeline Call 2026
€1M-€5M
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
Dutch Cancer Society (KWF)
Kwf Pipeline 2027
€1-5M per proposal (indicative)
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
KWF
Pipeline
€1–5M
7 Jul 2026 · 22d
FNR Luxembourg
Inter – Erdera Call 2026
8 Jul 2026 · 23d
Thematic multilateral call under the ERDERA partnership (rare diseases). Budget cap per call and/or proposal applies. Luxembourg partner must submit INTER application at both pre-proposal and full proposal stage via FNR online system. Thematic call — no bottom-up funding.
EMBO
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
10 Jul 2026 · 25d
Supports internationally mobile postdoctoral researchers; international mobility is a key requirement (host lab must be in a different country). Includes salary/stipend, relocation allowance, and childcare support. A first-author refereed preprint is accepted as equivalent to a publication. Max one candidate per host lab per selection round.
EMBO
EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowship (Autumn 2026)
~€100,000-120,000/yr (2 years)
10 Jul 2026 · 25d
EMBO
EMBO Young Investigator Programme
12 Jul 2026 · 27d
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novo Nordisk Foundation Data Science Investigator Programme 2026
Up to DKK 14.7M (~€1.97M)
15 Jul 2026 · 30d
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Data Science Investigator Programme 2026
Up to DKK 14.7 million per grant
15 Jul 2026 · 30d
Open to principal investigators at three career levels (Emerging, Ascending, Distinguished). Host institution must be in Denmark. Applicants must apply to the correct career-level category in the NORMA system; applications will not be transferred between categories. Covers data science research.
Wellcome
Wellcome Early-Career Awards – July 2026 Round
21 Jul 2026 · 36d
For early-career researchers across biomedical, clinical, social science, and arts & humanities disciplines. Applications managed in English on the Wellcome Funding platform; administering organisation must approve and submit by 15:00 GMT/BST on deadline day. Global eligibility; researchers based in LMICs encouraged. Global Talent visa endorsement available for UK-based award holders.
Wellcome
Wellcome Career Development Awards
28 Jul 2026 · 43d
Supports researchers at the career development stage across a broad range of disciplines (biomedical, clinical, social sciences, arts & humanities, data sciences). Applications managed in English via the Wellcome Funding platform; host organisation must administer the grant. Global eligibility; UK-hosted awardees may access Global Talent visa endorsement.
The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
Emerging Leader Award
$1,000,000 USD over 4 years ($250,000/year)
30 Jul 2026 · 45d
For early-career independent investigators (lab established 3–8 years prior to Dec 31, 2026; i.e., 2018–2023). Open worldwide to non-profit academic/research institutions. Single PI only; no co-investigators. Applicants must have multi-year independent funding active in 2027. Proposals must be in English and distinct from the applicant's main research portfolio. Indirect costs capped at 10% of direct costs.
NWO
NWO Weave with Partner Agency 2025/2026
Up to €400,000 (Dutch part)
31 Jul 2026 · 46d
NWO
NWO Open Competition Domain Science M
Up to €800,000 (M-2) or €400,000 (M-1)
1 Aug 2026 · 47d
Novo Nordisk Foundation
Novonesis Biotechnology Prize
5 Million DKK
1 Aug 2026 · 47d
Novo Nordisk Foundation
RECRUIT – Grants for International Recruitment, Autumn 2026
Up to DKK 55 million per grant
12 Aug 2026 · 58d
Mobility grant for international recruitment to Danish universities at assistant-, associate-, or full-professor level. Candidates must be nominated by a Danish university (nomination quota applies). Host institution must be a Danish university. Supports natural sciences, biotechnology, and related life science areas.
Novo Nordisk Foundation
RECRUIT Sabbatical Grants, Autumn 2026
Up to DKK 1 million per grant
12 Aug 2026 · 58d
Open to university faculty in time-unlimited positions at Danish universities, nominated by their institution (nomination quota per university). Research focus must be within natural/technical sciences, interdisciplinarity, biotechnology, or sustainability. Supports researchers going abroad from Denmark or international researchers coming to Denmark. Only nominated candidates are considered.