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

February 26, 2026

Up to DKK 1 million per grant, for 3–12 months; one grant per applicant per call.

Supports Danish university faculty in natural and technical sciences to undertake international research placements emphasizing interdisciplinarity, biotechnology, and sustainability.

Only candidates nominated by a Danish university are eligible to apply.

--- ## Description The RECRUIT Sabbatical Grants from the Novo Nordisk Foundation enable university faculty in permanent positions at Danish universities to spend 3–12 months embedded in a foreign research environment, or for international faculty to come to Denmark. The program aims to foster internationalisation, knowledge exchange, and the development of new research directions, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinarity, biotechnology, and sustainability within the natural and technical sciences. Candidates must be nominated by their home institution, and each Danish university is allocated a nomination quota. --- ## Due Dates - February 26, 2026: Full application submission deadline for Spring 2026 (by 14:00 CET, via NORMA) --- ## Funding Amount - Up to DKK 1 million per sabbatical grant. - Funding covers 3–12 months (the period can be split into two if justified). - Eligible expenses include salary (not exceeding home institution rate), benefits, relocation (including family, childcare, and school expenses), operating costs, conference participation, publication costs, bench fees (for host institutions outside Denmark), and administrative support (up to 5% of budget for non-Danish hosts). - Overhead/indirect costs, commercial activities, and double funding are not supported. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold a time-unlimited (permanent) faculty position at a Danish university or be international faculty coming to Denmark. - Candidates must be nominated by their Danish university according to the institution's quota. - Research must focus on natural and technical sciences, interdisciplinarity, biotechnology, or sustainability. - Only one application per applicant per call. - Applications not nominated by a Danish university will be administratively rejected. --- ## Application Process - **Phase I**: Danish universities evaluate and nominate candidates according to a set quota. Universities submit a nomination list to the Foundation before the application deadline. - **Phase II**: Nominated candidates submit their application through the [NORMA system](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/). - Applications and supporting materials must be in English. - Required attachments include an employer release letter and a hosting letter from the host institution. - Detailed guidelines and budget requirements are available in the [application guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-RECRUIT-Sabbaticals-Spring-2026.pdf). --- ## Additional Information - The program runs two calls per year; this deadline is for the Spring 2026 round. - Applicants are notified of results in June 2026, with the earliest project start date in July 2026. - No feedback is provided for declined applications. - All grant recipients must comply with the Foundation’s General Terms and Conditions. --- ## External Links - [Grant Program Page (RECRUIT Sabbatical Grants, Spring 2026)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/recruit-sabbatical-grants-2026/) - [Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://novonordiskfonden.dk//app/uploads/Guidelines-for-RECRUIT-Sabbaticals-Spring-2026.pdf) - [NORMA Application Portal](https://norma.novonordiskfonden.dk/s_Login.jsp) - [General Terms and Conditions](http://www.novonordiskfonden.dk/en/content/conditions-grants) - [Foundation Grant Rules & FAQ](https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/how-we-work/what-are-grants/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | |----------------------------|-----------------------------|------------------------------| | Thomas Bentin | Senior Scientific Lead | [tbe@novo.dk](mailto:tbe@novo.dk) | | Anastassia Khrouchtchova | Senior Scientific Manager | [akh@novo.dk](mailto:akh@novo.dk) | | Rikke Stefansen | Grant Manager | [rst@novo.dk](mailto:rst@novo.dk) | | General Foundation Contact | | [info@novonordiskfonden.dk](mailto:info@novonordiskfonden.dk) | | NORMA Technical Support | | [norma-support@novo.dk](mailto:norma-support@novo.dk) | Phone: +45-4444-8888 Foundation Address: Tuborg Havnevej 19, 2900 Hellerup, Denmark

RECRUIT Sabbatical Grants, Spring 2026

Sign in to see full grant listing