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Start Package Grants – For faculty recruitment Q3 2026

Novo Nordisk Foundation

Purpose

The primary purpose of the Start Package grant is to make Danish universities or other research institutions more competitive when recruiting top researchers of any nationality. The aim is also to enhance researcher mobility across borders, among Danish universities and from industry to university.

The 4-year grant is intended to provide leverage for the hiring Danish university/research institution during recruitment and contract negotiations and to accompany the offer of one of the following positions:

Up to DKK 5 million for a tenure track position at the assistant professor level
Up to DKK 8 million for a time-unlimited position at the associate professor level
Up to DKK 10 million for a time-unlimited position at the full professor level
Up to DKK 10 million for a clinical- or clinical chair professor position with mandatory research responsibilities for a minimum of five years

A Start Package Grant will provide the host institution with funding that must be used in connection with the candidate’s establishment of an independent research group at the host institution.

Areas of support

The grant supports recruitment of researchers within medical sciences, life sciences, sustainability, or natural and technical sciences in fields that are in alignment with the Foundation’s 2030 Strategy. This includes:

Preventing and managing cardiometabolic diseases
Decreasing the burden and threat of infectious diseases
Advancing and applying regenerative medicine
Reducing inequity in health
Sustainable and high yield agriculture
Sustainable food for healthy diets
High-impact climate change mitigation technologies
Supporting society in the green transition
Fundamental research with potential application within health or sustainability, for instance bioscience, metabolism, the microbiome, systems biology, natural and technical sciences, data and computer science, artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, mathematical modelling, materials science, robotics, etc.
Interdisciplinary research with potential application within health or sustainability
Technology development with potential application within health or sustainability

Application process

The call is open all year round. Grants are awarded four times per year, with a quarterly submission deadlines.

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

Please read “Guidelines for Applicants” carefully before initiating the application process. Essential additional information on the call and application process is found here.

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

Clinical Trials

Others

Eligibility Requirements

Please consult the guidelines for detailed eligibility requirements concerning the recruiting institution, position, and candidate.

Eligible Countries:

Denmark

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Novo Nordisk Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Tuborg Havnevej 19 2900 Hellerup

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