Novo Nordisk Foundation · Denmark

Ascending Investigator grants for research within Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology 2027

Full title in the source: Ascending Investigator grants for research within Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology 2027 – Nordic Region

Open

Applications close on 13 Jan 2027.

Deadline: 13 Jan 2027 (in 59 days)
Grant amount: Up to 12.5 million DKK per applicant
Funding rate: Set by the call (foundation grant; see the call rules)
Likely applicant types: Universities & research, Non-profits, Companies, SMEs / start-ups, Individuals From source categories or programme rules; the call decides.
Funder: Novo Nordisk Foundation (private foundation)
Reference: Novo Nordisk Foundation: Ascending Investigator grants for research within Industrial Biot
Last checked: 15 Nov 2026

Open the official call ↗ Add deadline to calendar

Programme overview

The Novo Nordisk Foundation wishes to make significant contributions to the sustainability of society and the environment. The Ascending Investigator grant supports the continued development and consolidation of excellent research leaders within industrial biotechnology and environmental biotechnology in the Nordic countries. The proposed research should address major challenges within industrial biotechnology or environmental biotechnology. 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 research can commence no earlier than May 2027 and must begin by April 2028 at the latest.

Who can apply

Faculty members and researchers at the associate professor level or with similar qualifications (e.g. senior assistant professor or senior researcher) with an independent research program at a university or other non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden are eligible to apply for the Ascending Investigator grant.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Timing

Call opens 10 November 2026 · closes 13 January 2027 2:00pm (Copenhagen time)

How to apply

Apply through the funder’s official page (link below); it states the procedure, documents and deadline.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Where these facts come from

Fact	Value	How we know	Taken from the source
Deadline	13 January 2027 “Call opens 10 November 2026 · closes 13 January 2027 2:00pm (Copenhagen time)”	read from the official page	15 Nov 2026
Amount per applicant	Up to 12.5 million DKK per applicant “Up to DKK 12.50 million per grant”	read from the official text	15 Nov 2026
Total budget	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—
Funding rate	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—
Who can apply	Faculty members and researchers at the associate professor level or with similar qualifications (e.g. senior assistant professor or senior researcher) with an independent research program at a university or other…	read from the official text	15 Nov 2026
Where to apply	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—

Official sources

Official call page

Facts on this page were read from the official page on 15 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.