[Novo Nordisk](https://www.novonordisk.com)

January 28, 2026 (Full application deadline, 14:00 Copenhagen time)

Up to DKK 12,500,000 per grant over 5 years; total pool DKK 50 million; typically 4 grants awarded.

Supports early-career clinical research leaders in Denmark to advance innovative, patient-relevant clinical and translational medical research.

Applicants must cover their own salary and cannot apply for it through this grant.

--- ## Description This grant supports the development of young and promising clinical research leaders in Denmark, with the aim of fostering high-level clinical and translational research that can have an international impact. It is designed for early-career medical doctors who wish to combine ongoing clinical work with research, enabling them to establish themselves as independent investigators. Projects should advance patient-relevant clinical and translational medicine, and may include research on disease mechanisms, treatment methods, disease trajectories, epidemiology, diagnostics, public health, intervention studies, and initial clinical trials. --- ## Due Dates - January 28, 2026: Full application submission deadline (14:00 Copenhagen time) --- ## Funding Amount - Up to DKK 12,500,000 per grant for a 5-year project - Minimum grant size: DKK 8,000,000 - Total pool: DKK 50 million (up to 4 grants awarded) - Funding covers salary for clinical substitute, research staff, operating expenses, equipment (max 20% of budget), travel, publication costs, and certain administrative costs (not for Danish universities) - The applicant’s own salary must be covered by other means and cannot be included in the grant budget --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be medical doctors with either a Ph.D. or dr. med. degree - Must be ready to start or be under medical specialist training (KBU and introductory position completed if not yet in specialist training) - May not have completed specialist training at the application deadline - Project must be anchored at a Danish university, hospital, or other non-profit research institution - Applicants must commit to 20%–60% research time (1–3 workdays/week), with the remainder in clinical work at a Danish hospital - Institutional support required from both the clinical department and the research department (support and hosting letters mandatory) - No co-applicants allowed; the applicant must be the clear driver of the project - Applicants with an active Investigator grant from Novo Nordisk Foundation can only apply in the final year of their current grant, with no overlap in funding periods - Only one Investigator grant application per applicant per calendar year --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [NORMA online system](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/s_Login.jsp) - All materials must be in English - Required uploads: - Support letter from the head of the clinical department - Hosting letter from the head of the research department - Detailed project proposal, budget, and supplementary information (including planned division of research/clinical time) are required - Read the [application guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-applicants-Clinical-Emerging-Investigator-2026-1-1.pdf) thoroughly before applying --- ## Additional Information - The applicant’s own salary cannot be applied for; applications including this will be rejected - Co-applicants are not permitted - The notification of results is expected in early June 2026 - Earliest project start: July 1, 2026; latest: February 1, 2027 - For further details on eligible costs, refer to the application guidelines --- ## External Links - [Program page & call details](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/clinical-emerging-investigator/) - [Application guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-applicants-Clinical-Emerging-Investigator-2026-1-1.pdf) - [NORMA application portal](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/s_Login.jsp) - [General grant information](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/how-we-work/what-are-grants/) - [Committee on Clinical and Translational Medicine](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/committees/committee-on-clinical-and-translational-medicine/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------------------|----------------------| | Ursula Bach | Senior Grant Manager | [urba@novo.dk](mailto:urba@novo.dk) | +45 35 27 66 00 | | Jens Peter Holst Lauritsen | Scientific Manager, PhD | [jlrt@novo.dk](mailto:jlrt@novo.dk) | +45 35 27 66 00 | | Novo Nordisk Foundation (main) | General inquiries | [info@novonordiskfonden.dk](mailto:info@novonordiskfonden.dk) | +45 35 27 66 00 | ---

Clinical Emerging Investigator

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