NovoNordisk Fonden – Challenge Programme 2027
Event details
| Date | 07.10.2026 |
| Category | Call for proposal |
| Event Language | English |
Aim: The The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) Program aims to support outstanding, collaborative research projects addressing major challenges within human health and the sustainability of society and the planet. The program is designed to enable ambitious, long‑term, interdisciplinary research efforts that bring together leading researchers around a clearly defined scientific challenge within selected thematic areas.
NNF is pleased to announce the release of the below calls on April, 22 (*):
Funding: up to DKK 30 – 75 million ( ~ CHF 3.7-9.2 million)
Duration: up to 6 years
Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by an established research leader leading a consortium of 2–4 research groups (main applicant plus 1–3 co‑applicants), with the main applicant employed at a European (EU, Schengen Area or UK) host institution. At least one applicant (main or co‑applicant) must be employed at a Danish university, hospital or non‑profit research organisation.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted using the foundation’s online platform NORMA. The application process consists of two stages. Stage1 entails a short expression of interest limited to 10,000 characters with a preliminary budget and with a deadline of 07 October 2026. Several shortlisted applicants will be invited to Stage2 (notifications in December 2026), in which the applicants will be asked to submit an application with a detailed project proposal of 30,000 characters. These full proposals will be due on 10 February 2027.
Deadline: 07-October-2026
Further information
NNF is pleased to announce the release of the below calls on April, 22 (*):
- Advancing Next Generation AMR Diagnostics for Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Supporting interdisciplinary proof‑of‑concept research aimed at developing rapid, accurate and affordable diagnostic solutions for lower respiratory tract infections, with a focus on improving clinical decision‑making and combating antimicrobial resistance. - Heat and Hypertension – Understanding the Mechanisms of Interaction
Focusing on mechanistic research to elucidate how heat exposure affects individuals with hypertension, integrating cellular, animal and human studies with the aim of improving prevention, treatment and clinical management during extreme heat events. - Unravelling Electron Transfer Mechanisms in Hybrid Bio‑Electrocatalysis
Supporting fundamental research to understand electron transfer between biological and synthetic systems, enabling new knowledge relevant for efficient bio‑electrocatalysis and future electro‑biotechnology applications. - Harnessing Novel Earth‑Abundant Materials for Sustainable Technologies
Aiming to develop and understand novel materials based on Earth‑abundant elements, supporting sustainable technologies that reduce reliance on scarce or critical resources through interdisciplinary materials science and chemistry research.
Funding: up to DKK 30 – 75 million ( ~ CHF 3.7-9.2 million)
Duration: up to 6 years
Eligibility: Applications must be submitted by an established research leader leading a consortium of 2–4 research groups (main applicant plus 1–3 co‑applicants), with the main applicant employed at a European (EU, Schengen Area or UK) host institution. At least one applicant (main or co‑applicant) must be employed at a Danish university, hospital or non‑profit research organisation.
How to Apply: Applications should be submitted using the foundation’s online platform NORMA. The application process consists of two stages. Stage1 entails a short expression of interest limited to 10,000 characters with a preliminary budget and with a deadline of 07 October 2026. Several shortlisted applicants will be invited to Stage2 (notifications in December 2026), in which the applicants will be asked to submit an application with a detailed project proposal of 30,000 characters. These full proposals will be due on 10 February 2027.
Deadline: 07-October-2026
Further information
- More detailed information is available via the links embedded in the titles of the individual calls
- The application portal can be found here
- For any other questions, please contact the Research Office
Practical information
- General public
- Free