CHALLENGE PROGRAMME 2026 – Unravelling the pathways of human invasive fungal diseases

Purpose

The Challenge Programme aims to contribute substantially to the development of Danish and European research ecosystems within research areas of strategic priority to the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The goal is to develop innovative solutions to major scientific challenges, supporting leading researchers to form a consortium united by a clear vision and mission.

The Programme provides funding to enable scientific depth and focus and facilitate synergy between the research partners.

The grants awarded within the Challenge Programme will broadly fit within the Novo Nordisk Foundation Strategy.

Sign up to the informational webinar on Wednesday 18th June by following this link.

Research Theme 2026

This Challenge Programme on “Unravelling the pathways of human invasive fungal diseases” aims to support highly ambitious and collaborative projects that are transformative and impactful in their aim to generate important new knowledge about human invasive fungal diseases and enable the development of better diagnostics and therapeutics.

As the number of severe fungal infections and the number of people susceptible to them continues to increase, it is imperative to better understand the pathogenesis and molecular pathways of invasive fungal infections and diseases to aid the development of globally implementable tools to fight human disease. 

Supported research may include (but is not limited to):

• Elucidating the role of fungal virulence factors. The fungal and environmental factors driving the switch from commensal to virulent pathogen are somewhat poorly characterised. Studies investigating fungal virulence factors should facilitate understanding of how fungal invasive diseases are established and maintained, with the long-term aim to inform new treatments.
• Studying host-pathogen interactions. Given the commensal nature of fungal pathogens, understanding how they are sensed and eliminated by the human host is imperative. Studies which would increase our understanding of anti-fungal host defences should also aim to improve the management of life-threatening invasive fungal infections.
• Understanding mechanisms of anti-fungal resistance. Pathogenic fungi are evolving resistance to all licensed systemic antifungal drugs. Our understanding of resistance mechanisms is somewhat limited, and new knowledge is therefore highly needed to inform novel and better drug targets and design.
• Advancing fungal disease markers. Studies focusing on the role and detection of fungal metabolites, toxins and biomarkers of pathogenesis that would facilitate the development of improved diagnostic tools, ultimately aiding in the timely identification and treatment of these diseases.

Eligibility

The Challenge Programme supports collaboration between leading scientific experts to form a consortium of 2-4 research groups (main applicant plus 1-3 co-applicants).

1. The main applicant must be an independent tenured/tenure-track researcher with their own research group, employed at a European (European Union, Schengen Area plus United Kingdom) university, hospital, or non-profit research organisation, which will be the host institution and will be responsible for administration of the grant.
2. The main applicant must be employed at the host institution with at least a 75% commitment and must be guaranteed their own salary for the entire project period.
3. Co-applicant institutions may be located anywhere globally.
4. At least one applicant (either main- or co-applicant) must be at least 75% employed and have their research group at a Danish university, hospital, or non-profit research organisation.

Industry collaboration is allowed, but industrial partners cannot receive funding.

Funding

A total budget of up to DKK 150 million (ca. EUR 20 million) is available for grants of DKK 40 – 75 million (ca. EUR 5,4 – 10 million) for projects of 6 years duration.

Application process

There are 2 stages to the application process. Stage 1 consists of an expression of interest. After the initial evaluation, shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a proposal in Stage 2, consisting of a comprehensive application with a detailed project proposal along with a detailed budget.

As part of the Stage 2 evaluation, the applicants will be invited to present and discuss their proposed research projects with the review committee in an online meeting.

Please read “Guidelines for Applicants” carefully before initiating the application process. Additional and essential information is found in these guidelines.

Click here to read more about the Challenge Programme and to see a list of previous Grant recipients.

The Challenge evaluation committee will be announced later.

Contact e-mail: [email protected]. Please include the name of the call “Unravelling the pathways of human invasive fungal diseases” in the subject line.