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Supporting research leaders at all career stages

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Research Leader Programme aims to ensure that excellent research leaders have the opportunity to pursue ambitious and innovative projects.

Latest news

Grant of DKK 10 million to find the Achilles heel in bacterial biofilms

Mette Burmølle, Associate Professor, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen is receiving a grant of DKK 10 million to reveal how viruses that infect and then kill bacteria (bacteriophages) attack bacterial biofilms, for example in infections.

The battle against antimicrobial resistance has been intensifying in recent years, and researchers have discovered that viruses that infect and then kill bacteria (bacteriophages) may be useful in combatting stubborn infections. These bacteriophages hold enormous potential in combatting infections in wounds and on implants, harmful gut bacteria, multidrug-resistant bacteria and..

Meet our recipients

Project examples

Major grant for mapping the mechanisms behind nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
Grant awarded to solve the genetic riddle behind genetic disease and pregnancy loss
Grant for investigating the dynamics of the largest carbon store in soil
Grant to reveal the secrets of bacteria

DKK 2.4 billion over 5 years

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has allocated DKK 2.4 billion (€322 million) for its Research Leader Programme aimed at excellent research leaders at different stages of their careers.

Individual grants of up to DKK 10 million are awarded each year. The 5-year grants are awarded within the scientific fields:

  • Bioscience and basic biomedical research (2018- );
  • Clinical and translational research (2019- );
  • Data science research (2020- );
  • Endocrinology and metabolic research (2018- );
  • Industrial biotechnology and environmental biotechnology (2021- );
  • Plant science, agriculture and food biotechnology (2021- ); and
  • Biotechnology-based synthesis and production research (2019-2020).

The grants are awarded based on applications submitted in open competition. Calls for applications are typically open in late fall with deadlines in January.

See all Novo Nordisk Foundation calls here.