Industrial Biotechnology & Environmental Biotechnology Project Grants 2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is inviting applications for its Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology Project Grants 2026, supporting ambitious research projects that address major scientific and industrial challenges while advancing sustainable biotechnology solutions.
With up to DKK 4.3 million available per project, the programme seeks to accelerate high-impact research that has the potential to improve industrial processes, strengthen environmental sustainability and contribute to the future bioeconomy.
Projects should combine scientific excellence with a clear strategic vision, demonstrating how biotechnology can generate scalable, sustainable and productivity-enhancing solutions for society and industry.
Funding Available
- Maximum funding per project: Up to DKK 4.3 million
- Total call budget: DKK 40 million
- Project duration: 1–3 years
- Funding is distributed approximately equally across each project year.
- Projects shorter than three years receive proportionally adjusted funding.
- Successful projects are expected to commence between 1 January and 1 November 2027.
Research Areas Supported
Applications should focus on one or more of the following priority areas:
- Sustainable production of chemicals, proteins and advanced biomaterials using biotechnology
- Development of innovative microbial monitoring technologies
- Technologies that strengthen industrial bioproduction and enable a circular bioeconomy
- Improving the efficiency and productivity of biomanufacturing systems
- Biotechnology solutions that protect, restore or improve the environment
- Research into natural and engineered ecosystems relevant to industrial biotechnology
- Digital technologies, data science and biotechnology-enabled research infrastructure supporting industrial or environmental biotechnology.
Who Should Apply?
This opportunity is designed for independent research leaders leading internationally competitive research programmes in biotechnology.
Eligible applicants include:
- Established Professors
- Associate Professors
- Mid-career Research Leaders
- Junior Research Leaders with documented independent research programmes
Projects must be hosted by:
- Universities
- Public research institutions
- Other recognised non-profit research organisations
located within eligible Nordic countries.
Eligibility
Main Applicant
Applicants must:
- Lead an independent research programme
- Be employed by an academic research institution in an eligible Nordic country
- Have guaranteed salary funding throughout the project period (grant funding does not cover the Principal Investigator's salary)
- Lead the scientific development and implementation of the project.
Co-applicants
Applications may include one or more co-applicants who:
- Have independent research programmes
- Are based at universities or non-profit research institutions
- Contribute scientifically to the project
- Receive part of the awarded funding
Importantly:
- There are no geographical restrictions on where co-applicants may be based.
- Research partners from industry or other for-profit organisations may participate but cannot receive funding through this grant.
Eligible Host Countries
Main applicants must be based at eligible research institutions in:
- Denmark
- Finland
- Sweden
- Norway
- Iceland
- Greenland
- Faroe Islands
What Can Be Funded?
Funding may support:
- Research staff
- Postdoctoral researchers
- PhD students
- Technical personnel
- Scientific equipment
- Laboratory operating costs
- Consumables
- Travel directly related to the research
- Conference participation
- Publication costs
- Tuition fees for PhD students (subject to programme limits)
The Foundation does not fund:
- Commercial activities
- Institutional overheads
- Duplicate funding of the same project
- Identical proposals submitted across multiple Foundation calls.
How Applications Are Evaluated
Applications are assessed primarily on:
- Scientific excellence
- Novelty and originality
- Potential research impact
- Feasibility of the proposed research
- Capability and track record of the research team
Projects incorporating international collaboration may receive additional consideration where proposals are of equivalent scientific quality.
Key Dates
- Applications Open: 4 June 2026
- Application Deadline: 20 August 2026 (14:00 Copenhagen Time)
- Evaluation Period: September – November 2026
- Applicants Notified: December 2026
- Earliest Project Start: 1 January 2027
- Latest Project Start: 1 November 2027
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