The Novo Nordisk Foundation has allocated DKK 20 million to support research and development that can help Denmark to strengthen its preparedness for and response to future new viral epidemics.
The Foundation is taking this initiative based on the global spread of the coronavirus (2019-nCoV). This not an isolated event, because several new, deadly viruses have spread in recent decades, including the viruses causing severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) and Ebola.
Under the Societal Responses to and Preparedness for Emerging Viral Infections research programme, the Foundation will award grants totalling DKK 20 million for interdisciplinary research and development projects that can strengthen Denmark’s preparedness for and response to new viral infections. This includes:
- surveillance of and early detection of viral infections;
- developing new technologies for preventing or controlling epidemics; and
- optimizing national preparedness to manage new viral diseases, including developing policies and procedures for rapidly testing and approving new treatments, technologies and vaccines.
“Because of the accelerated global spread of new viruses, it is vital that we can use new knowledge to be optimally prepared for future viral epidemics,” says Niels-Henrik von Holstein-Rathlou, Senior Vice President, Biomedicine & Health Sciences, Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Project grants will be awarded based on applications submitted to the Foundation in open competition.
How to apply
The Novo Nordisk Fondation has opened the call for applications. The deadine is 4 June 2020. Read more here.
Further information
Jens Peter Holst Lauritsen, Scientific Officer, [email protected], +45 3527 6648.
Christian Mostrup, Senior Programme Lead, [email protected], +45 3067 4805.
