Our five grant-giving models
We have different models for how we award grants for activities.
Open-competition grants
We regularly award research grants through open calls advertised to the academic research community. Researchers can apply for funding for their research projects in open competition for a limited number of grants.
Most grants are for shorter-duration projects focused on the proposed project itself. However, other types of grants include longer-duration research leader grants awarded to researchers at different career stages, which focus both on the project and on the applicant’s own opportunities to develop as a researcher.
In addition to our three strategic focus areas – health, sustainability and a strengthening of the life science ecosystem – we also support humanitarian initiatives and research in art history. You can read more about the specific open competition grants under “Apply for grants”.
Stand-alone grants
We award stand-alone grants within our focus areas. Decisions to award grants are based on peer review of the project or initiative.
These grants can include project grants, research leader grants, investigator grants or fellowships, infrastructure grants, collaborative research programmes, educational platforms, research centres and others.
Partnerships
These grants are awarded for engaged collaborations with public and/or private partners.
Impact investments
These grants target companies, such as start-ups, often as loans and investments, to support activities with a positive societal impact. The Repair Impact Fund is an example.
Own initiatives
Grants for own initiatives typically start as local units of the Foundation but are then spun out – for example, as independent foundations – after approval by the Board of Directors. The BioInnovation Institute Foundation and the LIFE Foundation are examples of own initiatives.
Portfolio Board
The Foundation’s Portfolio Board monitors and evaluates our ongoing grant programmes and initiatives as well as our pipeline projects. The purpose is to ensure that our portfolio of activities across the focus areas serves to fulfil the Foundation’s strategic goals and that they achieve the expected impact.