[Novo Nordisk Foundation](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/)

March 5, 2026 (Full application deadline) | September 14, 2022 (Previous call deadline)

Up to DKK 7.6 million per grant for up to 3 years; total annual pool DKK 73–134 million (2026 call).

Supports senior researchers in the Nordic countries to commercialize innovative research in sustainability or health with clear societal impact and commercialization potential.

--- ## Description The Distinguished Innovator Grant from the Novo Nordisk Foundation accelerates the commercialization of research findings and the development of novel technologies in the fields of sustainability and health. Targeting senior faculty or research leaders with a proven track record in innovation (patents, spinouts, academic innovation projects), the grant prioritizes projects with clear potential for scaling and commercialization. Supported areas include sustainable agriculture, food, industrial and environmental biotechnology, carbon capture, climate change mitigation, med-tech, pharma, and quantum technologies. The grant emphasizes both impactful research and the role of the main applicant as an ambassador for innovation within academia. --- ## Due Dates - March 5, 2026: Full application deadline (2:00pm Copenhagen time) - September 14, 2022: Previous call deadline All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to DKK 7.6 million (approx. €1 million) per grant, covering up to 3 years. - Total available funding for the 2026 call is DKK 73–134 million, shared among all awarded projects. - Grants cover direct project costs, including research staff (excluding main applicant/co-applicant salaries), consumables, equipment, commercialization activities, travel, and limited administrative expenses (max 5%). - No overhead/indirect costs are allowed. --- ## Eligibility - **Main Applicant:** Must be a senior faculty member or experienced researcher employed at a research institution or hospital/clinic in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. - Must have a documented track record in innovation (e.g., patents, spinouts, academic innovation projects). - Must be willing to act as an innovation ambassador within academia. - **Co-applicants:** Optional; may be from the same or other institutions (including international partners). - **Institution:** Grant must be administered by a non-profit organization; grants cannot be given to companies or projects already spun out as a company (pre-CVR only). - **Project Scope:** Projects must be directly linked to sustainability (e.g., green transition, climate mitigation, sustainable food/agriculture) or health (e.g., new treatments, diagnostics, preventive solutions), and have clear commercial potential. - **Other:** Only one Distinguished Innovator Grant may be held at a time per applicant. Parallel applications to Pioneer Innovator Grant are permitted if projects are distinct. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [NORMA online system](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/). - Carefully review the [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Distinguished-Innovator-Guidelines-2026.pdf) and follow all instructions. - Required documents include: - Detailed project proposal - CV and publication list (main applicant) - Budget (using NORMA template) - Hosting letter (signed by institutional leadership) - Confirmation of bench fee policy (if applicable) - All materials must be in English. - Notification of results is expected in July 2026. Earliest project start: August 1, 2026; latest: July 31, 2027. - No feedback is provided for declined applications. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must not be directly linked to an established company (CVR number); if a company is formed during the grant period, remaining funds must be returned to the Foundation. - Industrial collaborators may participate as non-funded partners but cannot have pre-existing rights or agreements. - Double funding is not permitted; applicants must disclose overlapping funding and promptly inform the Foundation if additional funds are secured post-submission. - The grant is open to projects at any TRL (technology readiness level), provided there is clear commercial and scaling potential. - For Danish universities, a project supplement covers indirect costs; for other institutions, a bench fee or administrative support may be included as per guidelines. --- ## External Links - [Distinguished Innovator Grant Program Page](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/distinguished-innovator-grant/) - [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Distinguished-Innovator-Guidelines-2026.pdf) - [NORMA Application Portal](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/) - [General Terms and Conditions](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/conditions-for-grants/) - [Innovation Grants FAQ (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/FAQ.-Innovation-Grants.pdf) - [Committee on Innovation Grants](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/committees/komite-for-exploratory-pre-seed-grants/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Name/Contact | Email | |-----------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------| | Administrative Queries | Frederikke Stoustrup | frs@novo.dk | | Sustainability Queries | Charlotte Schöller, PhD | cgs@novo.dk | | Health Queries | Signe Daugbjerg, PhD | sbd@novo.dk | | NORMA Technical Support | NORMA Support | norma-support@novo.dk | | General Inquiries | Novo Nordisk Foundation | info@novonordiskfonden.dk | | Phone (Foundation Main) | | +45-4444-8888 | For further details and the latest updates, consult the [Novo Nordisk Foundation grants page](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/?sort=DESC).

Distinguished Innovator Grant

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