Project grants for novel science communication and public dialogue – 2025

Purpose

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) aims to strengthen scientific and technical aspirations, knowledge and competencies among children, young people and the general population in Denmark. The purpose of this call is to contribute to engagement and interest in natural science and technology and to facilitate communication and qualified public debates on topics within natural and technological science including health and sustainability.

Areas of support

Applicants may apply for grants for projects that in creative and engaging ways communicate topics and facilitate scientific public dialogue on natural sciences research, technology development, sustainability, climate, energy production and health.

Projects on these topics may involve all types of media, instruments and channels in order to;

• contribute to inspire and engage broad target groups;

• raise awareness of challenges relevant to society;

• facilitate scientific public dialogue; and

• increase the dissemination of reliable sources of natural science knowledge and counteract misinformation.

The projects’ target group(s) must be within the Danish Realm and can be children, young people and/or the general population. The project activities must primarily be made available to the target group(s) outside the education system.

It is important that the application clearly states how the project is novel and facilitates dialogue. The project should engage and involve the target group(s), not just inform them. Furthermore, it is important to demonstrate that the chosen media is in accordance with the purpose and target group(s) of the project, and that the project is focused and coherent as well as based on selected, relevant activities and instruments.

Assumptions on expected reach, such as number of users, visitors, listens, must be qualified in the application.

It is not possible to apply for support for communication on health, specifically targeted patient groups, or for information campaigns on health.

Applications on renewal of existing projects must include results from and evaluation of the preceding project.

Eligibility

During the grant period, the applicant must be responsible for a project at the administrating institution for the project applied for. The administrating institution for the project must be a public institution and/or nonprofit organisation, including educational institutions, municipalities, research institutions, museums, or associations in the Danish Realm.

Private companies and producers may apply for grants for non-commercial projects with nonprofit aims. In this case, the company will be the administrating institution for the project.

The Foundation has three calls for applications in 2025 within natural science education and outreach:

• Project grants for novel science communication and public dialogue (this call),

• Project grants for natural science education and informal learning environments

• Project grants for vocational education and training

It is only possible to be the main applicant on one application in these calls. Co-applicants are not subject to similar rules. Applications submitted for the calls Project grants for natural science education and informal learning environments or Project grants for vocational education and training will not be considered in this call.

The guidelines for applicants provide more information on the general rules for applications.

Funding

A total of up to DKK 23 million is available for grants between DKK 100,000–4,300,000 for projects of up to 6 years duration.

The project may be an independent, delimited project or a part of a larger project that is also supported by other partners.

It is possible to apply for smaller pre-projects of up to DKK 150,000 to mature a larger project to follow, e.g. by establishing collaborations or mapping needs and challenges. It must be clearly stated if the application concerns a pre-project. Please note that support of a pre-project does not guarantee support for the following project.

Applicants may apply for funding for the following types of expenses in the project:

• Salaries for employees or affiliated personnel at all staffing levels, including project management;

• Researchers in permanent positions at universities and university colleges may apply for funds to pay for substitutes for the time they use in a development project if the project extends beyond the description of their duties in their position (such as communicating natural science research for target groups outside the university or university college);

• Operating expenses: direct expenses for developing, implementing and operating projects, including materials and equipment;

• Travel expenses in relation to the project, e.g. conference and workshop participation and presentation of results derived from the project;

• Evaluation in connection with development projects;

• External auditing costs if the administering institution is not subject to public audit. Institutions that are not subject to audit by public authorities can include expenses for this in the project’s last budget year; and

• Administrative support (up to 5% of the applicant’s overall budget and included in it) to cover administrative expenses directly related to the project being based at an administering institution.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation will not award grants for:

• Commercial activities;

• Buildings; and

• Overhead (such as rent, electricity, water and maintenance).

The application guidelines includes an overview of project costs that can be included in an application.

Language

The application system is in English, but applications can be submitted in either Danish or English. The language chosen will not influence the assessment of the application.

Application process

The application must be completed and submitted using the Foundation’s online application and grant management system, NORMA.

Before applying, it is important that applicants read the guidelines for applicants as it contains detailed information on the application process.

Assessment criteria

The Foundation’s Committee on Science Communication and Public Dialogue will assess the applications based on the following criteria:

• The project’s consistency with the purpose of the call for applications;

• The capacity and qualifications of the applicant and the applicant’s institution with emphasis on the relevance for the given project;

• The quality of the project in terms of reach, engagement and impact;

• The originality, relevance and importance of the proposed project;

• The justification of the project with regard to existing initiatives in the field;

• The short-term and long-term project goals and the alignment between project goals, the method of dissemination to the specific target group, and the resources used;

• The scalability and opportunities for national dissemination of the project;

• The project plan, method and feasibility of the project, including plan for evaluation and knowledge sharing;
• The expected benefit for the specified target group and in the form of knowledge-building and long-term effects; and
• The capacity and qualifications of any co-applicants and collaboration partners.