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Project Grants for research within Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology 2025

Novo Nordisk Fonden

Purpose

PLEASE NOTE THAT SUPPORT LETTERS FROM CO-APPLICANT(S), IF ANY, SHOULD BE UPLOADED UNDER “OTHER UPLOADS” IN NORMA.

Applications are invited for project grants to support excellent research within industrial biotechnology and environmental biotechnology. Projects must be based at a university or other non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.

The proposed research must address major challenges within Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology, with a strategic perspective addressing major questions and challenges within these fields. The research should be fundamental in character but have a strategic outlook to scaling potential(s), contribute to sustainability and, if relevant, increase productivity. The proposed research must involve a clear element of biotechnology.

Non-exclusive list of prioritized areas:

Use or engineering of biological/biotechnological tools and systems for synthesis and production of valuable products (e.g., chemicals, proteins and materials)
Development of technologies and processes that can be utilized directly for bioproduction
Improvement of the efficiency of biomanufacturing
Use or engineering of biological/biotechnological tools and systems to protect or improve the environment
Understanding, protection or manipulation of natural or industrial ecosystems related to application of biotechnology
Data science promoting research within industrial or environmental biotechnology, including related ecosystems research

Proposals focusing on plant science, agriculture and food biotechnology should be submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Committee on Plant Science, Agriculture and Food Biotechnology, while proposals with a focus on pharmaceuticals and therapeutics should be submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Committee on Bioscience and Basic Biomedicine.

Funding

The grant period should be 1-3 years. The total grant amount is up to DKK 4.3 million for a 3-year grant. The grant amount should be distributed approximately equally each year, and for projects shorter than three years, the total grant amount is proportionally reduced.

Application Process

Applications must be completed and submitted using the online system following the instructions in the “Information and guidelines for applicants”. Additional essential information regarding eligibility, funding and the application process is found in this PDF.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🔍 1. Alignment with Strategic Focus Areas

Grants target specific themes such as health, life sciences, biotechnology, plant science, education, and societal impact.

Always select the most relevant call (e.g., Challenge Programme, Science Communication, Plant Science, PREPARE Education) to demonstrate immediate strategic fit 

✅ 2. Highly Specific Applications & Compliance

Each call has tightly defined guidelines, eligibility, and submission steps—read them thoroughly and follow all instructions in NORMA 

Applications that miss required fields, documents, or hardship the format risk administrative rejection.

📊 3. Evidence of Excellence: Quality, Novelty & Impact

Expert committees evaluate proposals on:

Quality & novelty of the research or project

Potential impact (scientific, educational, societal)

Budget soundness

Applicant’s and institution’s qualifications.

Impact-focused calls (e.g., science communication) require metrics on reach and engagement .

🏆 4. Competitive Success Rates

The Foundation funds ~20% of applications across calls .

Larger, multidisciplinary grants (Challenge Programme) offer up to DKK 75M (~€10M) but involve high competition and require strong justification.

🤝 5. Institutional and Peer Endorsement

Coordinate early with your host institution to secure formal support (letters, resource commitments) .

Include co-applicant letters and evidence of collaboration for calls that involve group or co-led projects 

🗓️ 6. Thoughtful Budgeting & Feasibility

Provide detailed financial plans that match your project design and duration.

For grants like PREPARE, budgets must align with institutional quotas and appropriate cost categories .

🎤 7. Presentation, Innovation Language & Impact

Analysis shows that promotional language and clear depiction of innovation correlate with funding success at NNF .

Especially for high-risk/high-impact calls, clearly articulate novelty, transformative potential, and user engagement.

🛠️ 8. Choose the Right Grant for Your Career & Goals

From small-scale communication or education projects (e.g., €100K–4.3 M DKK) to massive Challenge Programme grants (up to DKK 75 M), match your proposal to your experience and ambitions .

📋 Summary Table

Predictor	What to Do
Call fit	Pick the exact grant aligned with your thematic focus
Instruction compliance	Follow NORMA templates and guidelines thoroughly
Scientific or impact excellence	Emphasize quality, novelty, reach, and evaluation
Institution support	Obtain host institution endorsements early
Appropriate budget	Align costs to project scope, quotas, and duration
Innovation narrative	Use persuasive language to convey novelty and importance
Persistence in excellence	Recognize ~20% success rate—aim for top-tier proposals

🎯 Final Takeaway

To be successful with the Novo Nordisk Foundation, you need a strategically aligned, innovation-driven, and expertly prepared proposal—strongly backed by your institution and delivered through precise compliance and compelling presentation. If you're aiming high, consider how to differentiate your project in novelty and impact, and build institutional backing early.

Specialties

Technology Development

Eligibility Requirements

Nordic Region

Faculty members and researchers with an independent research program at academic research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden are eligible to apply for the project grants.

In addition to the main applicant, applications may include one or more co-applicants who contribute scientifically to the project and will receive a financial share of the grant.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Novo Nordisk Fonden

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Tuborg Havnevej 19 2900 Hellerup Denmark

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