Distinguished Innovator Grant Programme 2026

🌟 About Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovator Grant Programme

The Distinguished Innovator Grant Programme is a major initiative by the Novo Nordisk Foundation aimed at translating academic research into impactful technologies and solutions. It supports projects that address critical challenges in sustainability or human health, emphasizing scalable innovations with future commercialization potential. Projects must remain within a non-profit academic framework to qualify.

💰 Benefits of the Programme

• Funding: Up to DKK 7.6 million per project over a maximum period of three years.
• Annual Budget Limit: DKK 2,533,333.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

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 demonstrate a proven track record in innovation, including patents, spinouts, or academic commercialization projects.
• Should act as an innovation ambassador, engaging younger researchers and the broader ecosystem.

Co-Applicants

• Optional and may come from the same or different institutions, locally or internationally.
• Research staff such as assistants or project coordinators cannot be co-applicants.

Institutional Requirements

• Must be administered by a non-profit organization.
• Cannot be awarded to a company.
• Projects from incubator programs and IP held by university holding institutions are eligible if:
  • Administered by the university.
  • Project and findings remain academic.
  • No company has been established.
• Pre-CVR Rule: If a company is formed during the grant period, the Foundation must be informed, and remaining funds redirected.

📅 Application Date and Process

Application Process

1. Prepare the application in English following the official guidelines.
2. Submit via the Novo Nordisk Foundation application system.
3. Ensure alignment with the Health or Sustainability track.
4. Provide a coherent and justified budget.
5. Clearly demonstrate innovation, feasibility, and impact.

Application Deadline

• 05 March, 2026

🔗 Application Portal

• View details of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Distinguished Innovator Grant Programme.
• Apply via the Novo Nordisk Foundation Application System.

For more information, visit the official Novo Nordisk Foundation website.

• Funding is available up to DKK 7.6 million per project over a maximum period of three years.
• The annual budget limit is DKK 2,533,333.