Novo Nordisk Foundation
Start Package Grants – for faculty recruitment Q4 2026
2:00pm Copenhagen time
Last updated:
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Start Package Grants support Danish universities and research institutions recruiting top researchers of any nationality to tenure-track or professor positions. Awards range from DKK 5 million for tenure-track roles to DKK 10 million for full or clinical professorships, with funds allocated over four years for establishing an independent research group. This call opens quarterly with deadlines every three months, making it one of the most frequent funding cycles for faculty recruitment in Denmark.
Details
| Funder | Novo Nordisk Foundation |
| Budget | Up to DKK 10 million per grant |
| Deadline | 8 October 2026 |
| Duration | 4 years |
| Consortium | No |
| Application | Single stage |
| Frequency | Quarterly |
| Next round | 2026-10 |
| Eligible countries | DK |
Eligibility & scope
Supports Danish universities/research institutions recruiting top researchers of any nationality. Grants of up to DKK 5M (assistant professor/tenure track), DKK 8M (associate professor), or DKK 10M (full/clinical professor) to fund establishment of an independent research group. Host institution must be in Denmark; enhances researcher mobility from abroad or industry to academia.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers of any nationality recruited to tenure-track or professorship positions at Danish universities or research institutions
- •Early-career researchers hired into tenure-track roles (up to DKK 5M) or more experienced researchers in associate or full professor tracks
- •Applicants planning to establish an independent research group at a recognised Danish host institution
- •Recruitment that is already formalised as an employment offer before the grant deadline
Key Dates
- •Deadline 8 October 2026 at 2:00pm Copenhagen time
- •Results announced mid-November 2026
- •Four-year grant duration; quarterly calls (next round expected Q4 2026)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓This grant explicitly accompanies a formal job offer, apply once your recruitment is confirmed by the host institution, not speculatively.
- ✓Budget tier is locked to your employment track: tenure-track routes to DKK 5M max, associate professor to DKK 8M, and full/clinical professor to DKK 10M; align your application budget to your position.
- ✓With quarterly deadlines, missed October rounds can be recovered in Q1 2027; confirm exact call-opening dates on the Novo Nordisk Foundation website to plan submissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum budget for a Novo Nordisk Start Package Grant?
Up to DKK 10 million for full professor or clinical professor positions, DKK 8 million for associate professor, and DKK 5 million for tenure-track positions.
Who can apply for the Novo Nordisk Start Package Grant?
Researchers of any nationality recruited to tenure-track or professor positions at Danish universities or recognised research institutions, with a formal employment offer.
How often does the Novo Nordisk Start Package Grant open?
The call opens quarterly; the next round is expected in Q4 2026 with an October deadline.
What must the grant funds be used for?
The funds support the recruited researcher's establishment of an independent research group at the Danish host institution over four years.
When are results for the October 2026 deadline announced?
Results are announced mid-November 2026 for single-stage evaluation.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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