The Grand Solution Process starts in November when Fundraising & Project Management informs the departments about the process and forthcoming expected deadline for Grand Solution. The departments are asked to consider potential candidates to be supported by Fundraising & Project Management in close collaboration with the local funding support at department level.

The profile of a potential coordinator should be based on the following criteria:

• Has a strong project idea with clear relevance to the Grand Solution call topics. The proposed solution should have large societal impact and a strong business case.
• Minimum associate professor. CV, including list of publications, is not vital.
• Project management experience (not necessarily from a Grand Solution project).
• Is up to date with international state-of-the-art in his/her field of research.
• Is not necessarily a leader in his/her field of research but should be internationally recognized within the field.
• Has experience in writing applications in English (not necessarily Grand Solution projects).
• Has time, as well as the desire and willingness to be responsible for a Grand Solution project.
• Has aligned his/her resources with the head of department.
• Has a network at national level (and international) or is interested in creating it (i.e., preferably a good networker).
• Agrees to be the primary penholder in the application.

Information about guidelines, deadlines and this year's Grand Solutions calls can be found on Innovation Fund Denmark's Grand Solution webpage

The deadline for registering for support varies, depending on the particular Novo Nordisk Foundation instrument to be applied for. Please consult the PlanDisc calendar or the support overview document listed below:

• Your local funding advisor is your first point of contact for support.
• Find more information on which instruments and what type of support F&P offers here (support overview)
• Find our annual wheel of funding here (PlanDisc)

AAU Seed Money can be used to support the preparation of an application, including activities such as proposal writing, meetings with potential consortium partners, and involvement of an external consultant.

AAU Seed Money is available both at faculty level and through AAU’s missions. For details on available funding amounts, application deadlines, and specific faculty requirements, please contact your local funding advisor.

Researchers from across the world with the academic potential to establish an independent research program at a university or other non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway or Sweden are eligible to apply for Investigator grants. Applicants must be employed as full-time researchers at a Danish university or other non-profit research institutions. The grant is awarded to a single Principal Investigator. Co-applicants and funding for them are not permitted. Grant recipients must contribute to teaching or training activities in science in Denmark. 

• Emerging: Senior Postdoc / Assistant Professor, 4–8 years PhD age, key features: First authorships, early PI stage, limited group leader experience.
• Ascending: Assistant / Associate Professor, 7–15 PhD age, key features: Own group, senior authorships, independent profile.
• Distinguished: Professor, 15+ years PhD age, key features: International top-level profile, sustained high impact.

Specifics for the Clinical Investigator programme are that it is for medical doctors only, and you must remain clinically active throughout the 5-year project. It is a Personal Principal Investigator grant with no co-applicants, and you are only allowed for one Investigator application at a time. 

• Emerging: Early career stage, Specialist training ongoing, Substitute salary Required
• Ascending: Mid-career stage, Specialist/established, Substitute salary Required
• Distinguished: Senior career stage, Clinical professor, Substitute salary not allowed, professorship required

F&P hosts an annual internal information meeting about the Novo Nordisk Foundation, usually in November. We provide an overview of the Novo Nordisk Investigator Grants, while Foundations members and successful grantees share their experience. 

Please keep an eye on the events on our website

We do not offer a course for Novo Nordisk Investigator Grants.

Fundraising & Project Management offers support throughout the entire application process.

Meetings

• We offer a start-up meeting which includes assistance in assessing whether the funding instrument is the right fit for the applicant (including eligibility check) and the research idea, and whether the timing is right. In this first meeting, we also suggest a timeline to ensure a smooth application process.
• Subsequent meetings are planned in collaboration with the applicant.

Tools

Fundraising & Project Management offers preparation of a timeline to ensure a smooth application process. 

Review of application 

Fundraising & Project Management offers structured proposal feedback at least twice during the application process, supplemented by continuous advice throughout the writing phase. This includes:

• Two in‑depth reviews of the application, each providing concrete suggestions for changes, additions, clarifications, or strategic considerations.
• Feedback aimed at strengthening coherence, alignment with call expectations, clarity of narrative, and overall competitiveness.

These reviews support the applicant in refining the proposal and ensuring a high quality final submission.

We also encourage applicants to ensure peer review of their application draft from their colleagues and research network.

Submission

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative support regarding questions about submission in NORMA.

Budget

The budget is managed at the department level, with Fundraising & Project Management providing guidance, recommendations, and alignment support as needed. For further information, please contact your local funding advisor.

Interview support

If an applicant proceeds in the evaluation and is invited to an interview, F&P helps with the preparations. This includes feedback on presentation slides, discussion of interview questions, and organization of internal mock interviews. 

The application support process is evaluated by means of an online survey sent to applicants.

No project management is offered from F&P