Female Heart – Clinical Research Grant Programme 2026

🌟 About Novo Nordisk Foundation Female Heart – Clinical Research Grant Programme

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) has established this clinical research programme to address the critical knowledge gap in how cardiovascular diseases affect men and women differently. Historically, clinical norms have been based on male physiology; this grant specifically funds research that places female heart health and sex-specific risk factors at the center of the scientific hypothesis.

🎁 Benefits

• A total funding of up to DKK 75 million is available.
• Individual grants range between DKK 10 million and DKK 15 million.
• Projects must last for a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of five years.

✅ Requirements

This grant requires a specific “Nordic Anchor” combined with global collaboration.

Main Applicant

• Must be an established researcher anchored at a university, hospital, or non-profit institution in a Nordic country (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland).
• Must have salary security for the duration of the project.

Co-Applicants

• International collaboration is mandatory.
• At least one co-applicant must be located outside the main applicant’s country. They can be based anywhere in the world.

Host Institution

• Must be a non-profit research-oriented entity.

🗓 Application Date and Process

The application process is divided into two phases:

Phase 1

• Submit a brief concept note describing the proposed research project and a high-level budget.
• Applications are evaluated internally by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
• Selected applicants will be invited to Phase 2.
• Applicants will be notified in April regarding either rejection or invitation to submit a Phase 2 full application.
• No feedback will be provided for declined applications.

Phase 2

• Submit a full application, which will be evaluated by external peer review.
• Peer review will be conducted by international experts in the research area.
• Anonymous peer review feedback will be shared with applicants post-granting decision, regardless of the outcome.
• Note: Objections to the funding decision or peer review will not be accepted.

📋 Selection Criteria

Applications will primarily be assessed based on the following criteria:

• Fit within the outlined research area and scope of the call.
• Originality and feasibility of the research and scoping of the project in relation to the challenge to be solved.
• Scientific quality, state-of-the-art methodologies, and relevance of the project.
• Merits and past performance of the main applicant and co-applicant(s) relative to age and current career stage.
• Synergies and scientific potential regarding the international collaboration between the main applicant’s and co-applicant(s)’ institutions.

📅 Application Deadline

19 March, 2026

🌐 Application Portal

• View details of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Female Heart – Clinical Research Grant Programme.
• Apply via the Novo Nordisk Foundation Application Portal.

• A total of up to DKK 75 million is available for grants between DKK 10 million and DKK 15 million for projects lasting for a minimum period of three years and a maximum period of five years.