Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme 2026
Funds high-risk, early-stage interdisciplinary research projects in health or sustainability, emphasizing collaboration across scientific fields and disciplines.
Funder: Novo Nordisk Foundation
Due Dates: September 3, 2026: Full application submission deadline (call closes) — NORMA submission due by 2:00pm Copenhagen time
Funding Amounts: Up to DKK 6.8 million per grant (max 3 years); total call budget DKK 68 million
Summary: Supports high-risk, early-stage interdisciplinary research in health or sustainability, requiring collaboration across scientific fields.
Key Information: Main applicant must be at least 50% affiliated with a Danish institution; 1–3 co-applicants from different disciplines required.
Description
The Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme aims to catalyze creative, high-risk/high-gain research that bridges disciplines, organizations, and national borders. The programme is designed to fund the exploration of early-stage, untested ideas requiring interdisciplinary collaboration, with the goal of addressing major challenges in health and sustainability. Projects must align primarily with the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s strategic focus in Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, and Natural and Technical Sciences, with clear applicability to health or sustainability. Social Sciences and Humanities may be included as secondary elements but not as the primary focus.
The programme seeks to break down barriers to interdisciplinary research, stimulate emerging research spanning multiple scientific techniques and fields, and strengthen Danish research through internationalisation. Training and education of the next generation of interdisciplinary researchers is also a key objective.
