Start Package Grants – For faculty recruitment Q3 2026
Novo Nordisk Foundation Start Package Grants fund top researchers to establish independent research groups in Denmark in health, sustainability, and technical sciences.
Funder: Novo Nordisk Foundation
Due Dates: April 8, 2026 (Call opens) | June 25, 2026 (Submission deadline, 2:00pm Copenhagen time)
Funding Amounts: Up to DKK 5M (assistant professor) | Up to DKK 8M (associate professor) | Up to DKK 10M (full/clinical professor); 4-year grants; ~DKK 120M total for call
Summary: Supports Danish institutions to recruit top researchers by funding the establishment of independent research groups in health, sustainability, and technical sciences.
Description
This program aims to enhance the ability of Danish universities and research institutions to attract and recruit outstanding researchers from around the world. The Start Package Grants provide substantial financial support to help newly recruited faculty members establish independent research groups in Denmark. The grants are intended as leverage during recruitment and contract negotiations for academic positions at assistant, associate, or full professor (including clinical professor) levels. Supported research must align with the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s 2030 Strategy, covering medical and life sciences, sustainability, natural and technical sciences, and related interdisciplinary fields.
