Not Verified

Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme 2026

Novo Nordisk Fonden

Many scientific challenges that have large implications for health and sustainability can only be addressed through interdisciplinary efforts. With the Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme, the Novo Nordisk Foundation seeks to strengthen the synergy between researchers, across disciplines, organisations, and national borders. The goals of the Exploratory Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme are to:

Enable creative, novel, high-risk/high-gain interdisciplinary research
Support exploration of early-stage, un-tested ideas that requires interdisciplinary collaboration and solutions
Stimulate emerging research that spans across scientific disciplines and techniques
Break down or overcome the barriers that hamper collaboration across disciplines
Strengthen Danish research through internationalisation
Educate and train the next generation of researchers with interdisciplinary skills

Research areas:

The Programme is designed to fund the exploration of untested research ideas that require an interdisciplinary approach and demonstrate the potential to have a high level of impact, i.e. high- risk/high-gain. Research must align with NNF’s strategic focus areas of Biomedical Sciences, Biotechnology, and Natural and Technical Sciences, with applicability in health or sustainability. Research within Social Sciences and Humanities can be an element of the proposal but cannot be the primary drive. Applicants that already have preliminary data are encouraged to consider the full Interdisciplinary Synergy Programme as an alternative.

Funding

Up to DKK 6.8 million can be requested for a project running up to 3 years. The total annual budget for this call is DKK 68 million.

Application process

Please read “Information and Guidelines for Applicants” carefully before initiating the application process. Essential information about eligibility, required content, the evaluation criteria, budget structure, etc. is found in these guidelines.

The application must be completed and submitted using the foundation’s application system NORMA that can be accessed via the link “Apply now“.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Outstanding scientific quality (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Scientific excellence is the foundation of all NNF funding decisions.

Competitive proposals demonstrate:

High scientific quality
Clear scientific rationale
Strong research questions
Rigorous methodology
High technical standards

Independent international expert committees evaluate scientific quality as a primary criterion.

2. Novelty and innovation (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Innovation is one of the Foundation's explicit review criteria.

Competitive projects should include:

Novel hypotheses
Original concepts
Innovative technologies
Creative experimental approaches
Transformative scientific ideas

Applications proposing genuinely new approaches are generally more competitive than incremental studies.

3. Potential scientific and societal impact (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Review committees assess whether the proposed work has the potential to produce meaningful impact.

Competitive projects demonstrate potential to:

Advance scientific knowledge
Improve human health
Strengthen life sciences
Benefit society
Support sustainability where relevant
Improve healthcare or clinical practice

Potential impact is a formal component of proposal evaluation.

4. Strong qualifications of the applicant (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Applicant excellence is a major evaluation criterion.

Reviewers assess:

Scientific track record
Publications
Previous discoveries
Leadership ability
Independence
Career achievements
Ability to successfully complete the project

For senior awards such as the Laureate Research Grant, investigator excellence is a major determinant of funding.

5. Rigorous methodology and project feasibility (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications include:

Clear objectives
Appropriate methodology
Realistic timelines
Achievable milestones
Sound experimental design
Risk management

Committees evaluate whether the project can realistically achieve its proposed objectives.

6. Alignment with the specific funding call (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Each NNF funding programme has its own objectives and assessment criteria.

Competitive proposals closely match:

The specific call
The programme's scientific focus
Eligibility requirements
Strategic priorities

Applicants are expected to follow the individual call guidelines carefully.

7. Strong research environment and institutional support (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers consider:

Host institution quality
Research infrastructure
Institutional commitment
Available facilities
Collaborative environment

Many calls require formal support from the host institution.

8. Appropriate and well-justified budget (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

NNF explicitly evaluates:

Budget realism
Cost justification
Efficient use of resources
Appropriate allocation of funds

Budgets should align closely with the proposed scientific activities.

9. Multidisciplinary collaboration and ecosystem contribution (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Many NNF programmes encourage:

Cross-disciplinary collaboration
International partnerships
Industry–academic collaboration
Contributions to the life science ecosystem

Projects that strengthen research capacity and collaboration are viewed favorably.

10. High-quality application preparation and communication (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive applications typically demonstrate:

Clear organization
Excellent scientific writing
Compliance with NORMA application requirements
Complete documentation
Strong formatting
Internal institutional review before submission

The Foundation recommends applicants carefully proofread applications and obtain feedback from mentors or colleagues before submission.

Specialties

Others

Eligibility Requirements

The Novo Nordisk Foundation seeks to strengthen the synergy between researchers, across disciplines, organisations, and national borders.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Novo Nordisk Fonden

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Tuborg Havnevej 19 2900 Hellerup

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity