The Novo Nordisk Foundation wishes to support societal learning to help accelerate the green transition of society. The purpose of this call is to support projects and initiatives that will innovate, implement and/or scale up more sustainable behaviour and practices among individuals, communities, and organisations in Denmark.
During the grant period, the applicant must be a leader or project responsible at the institution administering the project. Eligible institutions include public authorities, civil society organisations (e.g. associations, community organisations, non-governmental organisations, charities, advocacy groups, think tanks and grassroots movements), research institutions and private companies. Private companies may apply only for grants for non-commercial projects with non-profit aims.
Projects must be administered and have their primary focus within the Danish Realm (‘Rigsfællesskabet’).
The Foundation encourages collaborations between partners with complementary competences on the development and execution of the projects to catalyse collaborations and collective learning processes between different types of actors in Danish society and increase the reach of the projects.
Projects aimed primarily at educational activities are referred to the call ‘Project grants for natural science education and informal learning environments – 2024’.
Projects aimed primarily at general enlightenment and public debate are referred to the call ‘Project grants for science communication and debate using novel communication platforms – 2024’.
Projects aimed primarily at vocational education and training are referred to the call ‘Project grants for strengthening STEM subjects in vocational education and training – 2024’.
Up to 6 million for projects of up to 3 years duration
Denmark
Applicants can apply for projects that will try out innovative ideas for how the green transition can be facilitated and accelerated in practice through social experimentation, knowledge generation and collective learning, ideally in ways that will inspire hope and enthusiasm for the green transition.
Projects can focus on developing and consolidating new social norms and practices, enhancing institutional capacity for sustainable change, or strengthen individual and collective incentives for green behaviour, and consequently stimulate still more people to change their ways of life in a sustainable direction.
Projects should ideally demonstrate in concrete ways how the urgent need for more sustainable lifestyles can be combined with perceptions of a good life and nurture public support for the necessary green transition.
Examples of approaches that can be funded include, but are not limited to:
The Novo Nordisk Foundation has a particular strategic focus on promoting sustainability related to agriculture, food production and food consumption, as well as climate mitigation technologies. Priority will be given to projects that have a focus in these areas.
To be considered, projects involving research activities must have a significant practical component clearly aimed at producing behavioural change.
A total of up to DKK 30 million is available for grants between DKK 200,000 and 6 million for projects of up to 3 years duration.
The project may be an independent, delimited project or a part of a larger project that is also supported by other partners. If part of a larger initiative, the expected impact from the part funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation should be clearly delineated. The project can also be a pre-project of up to six months and up to DKK 500,000 to mature a larger project to follow. Please note that support of a pre-project does not guarantee support for the following project.
Applicants may apply for funding for salary, operating costs, equipment costs, travel costs, publication costs, conference participation, collaborative activities, bench fee (where relevant), project supplement (in Danish ‘projekttillæg’) (Danish universities), and administrative costs (where relevant).
The Novo Nordisk Foundation will not award grants for commercial activities, buildings and overhead (such as rent, electricity, water, and maintenance).
Project proposals will be evaluated by the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Committee on society in the green transition.
The overall selection criteria for projects are their expected potential to propel the green transition forward. More specifically, the committee will evaluate applications based on the following criteria (non-prioritised):
Additionally, the committee will consider the diversity of activities and target groups of the total portfolio of projects.
Applications must be submitted using the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s online application system, NORMA.
The application and any additional uploads must be written in English.
Applicants are requested to read the application guidelines, ‘Guidelines for Applicants’, thoroughly before initiating the application process.
