Purpose

The purpose of the programme is to stimulate and support novel, early stage, high-risk/high-gain research ideas, to identify and validate causal biological, physiological, and psychological factors for obesity development. The project period will support early testing of the idea and its basic concepts, and the generation of initial data that can establish a firm basis for continuing into a more complex and expanded project stage. Therefore, the research should have potential for disruptive science and development of new research areas to enable design of effective non-pharmacological strategies to reduce the obesity epidemic, while strengthening and internationalizing Danish research.

Eligibility

The main applicant must be based at a Danish university, hospital, or other non-profit research organisation. They must have at least a 50% affiliation at this institution.

If there is a co-applicant, they must be employed at a university, hospital, or other non-profit research organisation outside of Denmark. The co-applicant should significantly contribute to the scientific advancement of the project and receive part of the funding.

Collaboration with industry is possible within this programme, however funding cannot be awarded to industrial partner(s).

Funding

The total budget for this call is DKK 24 million.

Grants can be up to DKK 3 million (or up to DKK 4 million if the project includes an international co-applicant) and with a duration of up to three years.

If relevant, the grant period can be extended to 4 years to cover 4-year PhD stipends, without changing the granted amount.

If there is a co-applicant, it is expected that the main applicant receives at least half of the project funding but no more than DKK 3 million.

Application

All relevant information is contained in the application guidelines document ‘Causal Factors in Obesity 2023’