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

August 18, 2026 | August 21, 2025

DKK 6–22 million per grant (approx. €800,000–2.95 million) for 3–5 years; total call budget DKK 89 million

Supports large, non-commercial clinical trials in Denmark to advance patient care through new medicines and technologies, led by specialist physician researchers.

Only non-commercial trials led by Danish hospital-based specialist physicians are eligible.

--- ## Description This program provides substantial support for investigator-initiated, non-commercial clinical trials in Denmark, with the aim of improving patient care through new medicines, technologies, and high-quality clinical research. The grant targets both single-center and multicenter national trials, as well as the Danish component of international studies, provided the main applicant and project are anchored at a Danish hospital. Projects must adhere to good clinical practice (GCP) guidelines and commit to making anonymized data publicly available after trial completion. The program is designed to foster research leadership and scientific excellence in clinical medicine, with a strong emphasis on clinical relevance, scientific rigor, and data transparency. --- ## Due Dates - August 18, 2026: Full application deadline (call closes for Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials — 18 August 2026, 14:00 Copenhagen time) - August 21, 2025: Full application deadline (previous call closed 21 August 2025, 14:00 Copenhagen time) --- ## Funding Amount - Individual grants: DKK 6–22 million (approx. €800,000–2.95 million) per project - Project duration: 3–5 years - Total call budget: DKK 89 million - Eligible expenses: staff (excluding main applicant's own salary), research and technical assistance, operating expenses, equipment (max 20% of budget), travel, publication costs, and more (see guidelines for details) - Main applicant's own salary is not covered and must be secured from other sources --- ## Eligibility - **Project Type:** Large clinical trials (randomized preferred, nonrandomized accepted) with patient inclusion, aiming to improve existing treatment routines in Denmark. - **Purpose:** Strictly non-commercial; projects with industrial/commercial aims are ineligible. - **Main Applicant:** Must be a specialist physician (MD), employed at a Danish hospital where the project is anchored, and have documented research leadership experience. - **Institutional Sponsor:** The applicant's institution must formally sponsor the trial and administer the grant. - **Co-applicants:** Up to four allowed; must actively participate and receive a share of the grant. Project staff (including postdocs/PhDs) cannot be co-applicants. - **Registration:** All funded trials must be registered at [ClinicalTrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov/) or the [Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS)](https://euclinicaltrials.eu/) before activation. - **Data Sharing:** Anonymized data must be deposited in a public repository (e.g., Zenodo) after trial completion. - **Legal Approvals:** Grant can be awarded before all approvals are in place, but cannot be activated until all relevant public authority approvals are obtained. - **Active Grant Holders:** May apply for a new grant only during the final year of the existing grant, with no overlap in grant periods. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s electronic system [NORMA](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk). - All application materials, including CVs and publication lists, must be in English. - Required uploads: detailed project protocol, signed institutional sponsor letter, and, if relevant, written agreements with industry sponsors (ensuring data ownership and publication rights). - Only one application per applicant per cycle is allowed. - Detailed application guidelines are published before each call; applicants are strongly advised to read them carefully. - Notification of results is typically at the end of December following the application deadline. --- ## Additional Information - Trials must adhere to GCP and Danish/EU legislation. - Funding cannot be used for commercial activities, main applicant’s own salary, or general overhead (except as specified for Danish universities). - Applications for projects involving anti-obesity medications must comply with the Foundation’s engaged ownership policy; trials with weight loss as a primary goal using anti-obesity medications are generally not funded. - See the [latest guidelines for applicants (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-applicants-Investigator-Initiated-Clinical-Trials-2025-2.pdf) for comprehensive details. - For questions about the application or eligibility, contact the grant managers listed below. --- ## External Links - [Program webpage (Novo Nordisk Foundation)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/investigator-initiated-clinical-trials/) - [Application guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-applicants-Investigator-Initiated-Clinical-Trials-2025-2.pdf) - [Grant administration and FAQ](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/) - [ClinicalTrials.gov](https://clinicaltrials.gov/) - [Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS)](https://euclinicaltrials.eu/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------------------------- |-------------------------------------- |-------------------------- |--------------------- | | Ursula Bach | Senior Grant Manager | urba@novo.dk | +45 35 27 66 00 | | Jens Peter Holst Lauritsen | Scientific Manager, Clinical Medicine | jlrt@novo.dk | +45 35 27 66 00 | | Novo Nordisk Foundation (general) | Grants Office | info@novonordiskfonden.dk | +45 35 27 66 00 |

Investigator Initiated Clinical Trials

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