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Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grants

Novo Nordisk Foundation

The purpose of the “Infectious Diseases – Catalyst Grants” programme is to provide catalytic funding for exploratory, use-inspired, and innovative research projects that have exceptional potential for future direct impact on global challenges within human infectious diseases. In 2026, projects submitted to this call for applications must be within one of the two scientific themes, namely Novel AMR tools or Pandemic Influenza.

Funding

A total of DKK 60 million is available for proposals in this call in 2026.

The individual grants awarded can have one of two different granting frameworks:

For each grant where there is only one applicant who is based in the Nordics, up to DKK 4 million can be awarded, with a grant period of up to 3 years.
For each grant where there is a Nordic main applicant and a co-applicant based in a different country, up to DKK 7 million can be awarded, with a grant period of up to 3 years. The budget does not have to be split evenly between the main and co-applicant institutions, but if one institution will receive significantly more funding, a clear justification must be provided.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🔬 1. Strong Alignment with Foundation Strategic Areas (Top Predictor)

NNF funding is highly aligned with its core priorities:

Biomedical & life sciences (major focus)
Cardiometabolic diseases (diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular)
Biotechnology & biosustainability
Global health & sustainability

👉 Projects outside these domains have very low success probability

🎯 2. Clear Scientific Excellence & Innovation

Successful proposals demonstrate:

High-impact, cutting-edge science
Novel hypotheses or technologies
Potential to advance fundamental understanding

👉 NNF is highly competitive and expects top-tier scientific quality

🌍 3. Demonstrated Societal & Health Impact (Critical Predictor)

Strong emphasis on:
- Improving human health
- Addressing global challenges (e.g., climate, health inequity)
Large grants require “impact upfront” planning and alignment

👉 Impact is explicitly built into evaluation frameworks

🔄 4. Translational & Innovation Potential

Preference for:
- Translational research (bench → application)
- Biotechnology innovation
- Solutions that can scale or be implemented

👉 Increasing focus on innovation ecosystems and real-world application

🤝 5. Strong Institutional & Collaborative Environment

High success rates are associated with:

Leading research institutions
International collaborations
Multi-disciplinary teams

👉 NNF frequently funds:

Research centres
Large collaborative programs

👩‍🔬 6. Investigator Excellence & Leadership Potential

Strong publication record
Proven research leadership (for large grants)
For early-career:
- Clear independence trajectory

👉 NNF funds both:

Elite senior scientists
Emerging “future leaders”

🧪 7. Feasible, Well-Structured Research Plan

Clearly defined:
- Objectives
- Methodology
- Milestones
Realistic timelines

👉 Large grants require highly structured project planning

📊 8. Ability to Build Research Capacity or Ecosystems

NNF strongly values:

Creation of:
- Research centres
- Infrastructure
- Innovation hubs
Long-term impact beyond a single project

👉 Funding often goes to ecosystem-building initiatives

🌐 9. Global & Strategic Relevance

Increasing support for:
- International collaborations
- LMIC-focused health initiatives
Expansion beyond Denmark

👉 Reflects global health and sustainability priorities

📑 10. Strong Proposal Communication

Clear articulation of:
- Innovation
- Impact
- Strategic relevance
Studies show effective “promotional framing” improves success rates

👉 Communication style influences reviewer perception

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

Strategic alignment (life sciences, health, sustainability)
Scientific excellence & innovation
Societal/health impact

Moderate predictors:
4. Translational potential
5. Investigator strength
6. Collaboration & institutional quality

Supporting factors:
7. Feasibility & planning
8. Ecosystem-building potential
9. Proposal clarity

💡 Insider Insight

Compared to other funders:

Novo Nordisk Foundation is:
👉 science-driven like ERC/AACR
👉 but also impact- and innovation-focused like industry funders

👉 Key evaluation question:
“Will this research create significant scientific breakthroughs AND long-term societal impact?”

Specialties

Infectious Diseases

Eligibility Requirements

The main applicant must be anchored and have their primary employment and research group at a university, hospital, or other non-profit research institution in a Nordic country.
The main applicant must be employed at the institution they are applying from and must be guaranteed their own salary for the entire project period.
The main applicant must be at assistant professor, associate professor, or professor (or similar levels). Applications from postdocs or Ph.D. students are not accepted. Early career-stage group-leaders as well as women and other groups that have been historically under-represented in scientific research are strongly encouraged to apply and to be included as co-applicants.
A main applicant (or a co-applicant) can only submit/be part of one application to the 2026 “Infectious Diseases – Catalyst Grants Call” and cannot be an applicant on a different application. Researchers who hold an active “Infectious Diseases Catalyst Grant” cannot apply until they are in the final year of their existing Catalyst grant, and the grant period for a new project cannot overlap with that of the active grant.
The project must be in scope of at least one of the two 2026 research themes and it must be use-inspired i.e., the research project must enhance fundamental knowledge and include considerations of potential application/translation of the knowledge gained towards generating better and needed tools. The scientific rationale, concept, and research direction should be driven by the potential use and/or translation of that knowledge. The application should have clear aims/goals, and articulate the expected outcomes catalysed by this project, and the potential future impact of these outcomes beyond this project.

Eligible Countries:

Denmark

Finland

Iceland

Norway

Sweden

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Novo Nordisk Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Tuborg Havnevej 19 2900 Hellerup

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