Types of funds
The foundation landscape in Denmark is diverse and offers a wide range of funding opportunities for researchers – from public research councils and large private foundations to smaller grants, trade unions, and patient associations, all of which support research within specific academic fields and societal needs.
Get thoroughly acquainted with the foundations’ strategies, requirements, and priorities – the most relevant information is often found directly on the foundations’ own websites.
Public foundations fund research through national and regional grant bodies.
- Examples:
- Danish Council for Independent Research (DFF)
- Innovation Fund Denmark (IFD)
- Central Denmark Region’s Health Sciences Research Fund
- Typical Support:
- Often focuses on basic and strategic research
- Grant Amounts:
- DKK 50,000 – DKK 20,000,000
Large private foundations in Denmark are typically commercial foundations with significant capital bases that annually award substantial amounts for research and innovation.
- Examples:
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
- Lundbeck Foundation
- Velux Foundation
- Typical Support:
- Basic research, applied health research, postdoc positions, thematic research
- Grant Amounts:
- DKK 2 million – DKK 10+ million
Small private foundations are often established by individuals, families, or companies aiming to support a specific purpose—e.g., research into a particular disease or support for a specific profession.
- Examples:
- Aase and Ejnar Danielsens Foundation
- Farmer of “Ølufgård” Peder Nielsen Kristensen’s Memorial Fund
- Typical Support:
- Travel, equipment, subprojects, disease-specific research
- Grant Amounts:
- DKK 10,000 – DKK 100,000
Trade unions support research as part of their overarching goal to promote members’ professional, occupational, and health interests.
- Examples:
- Younger Doctors (Yngre læger)
- Danish Nurses Organization (Dansk Sygeplejeråd)
- Typical Support:
- Continuing education, courses, member-focused research
- Grant Amounts:
- DKK 5,000 – DKK 50,000
Patient associations fund research aimed at improving diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for individuals with specific conditions.
They emphasize patient-relevant and translational research, often with a focus on dissemination and practical outcomes.
- Examples:
- Danish Cancer Society (Kræftens Bekæmpelse)
- Heart Foundation (Hjerteforeningen)
- Danish Rheumatism Association (Gigtforeningen)
- Typical Support:
- Clinical and patient-oriented research, quality of life projects
- Grant Amounts:
- DKK 50,000 – DKK 2 million
