My overview
Innovation Fund Denmark’s Board has now adopted most of the framework for investments in 2026.
Below is an overview of the currently known application rounds, deadlines and specific thematic priorities for each programme in 2026.
Historic multi-year research reserve
For the first time, the research reserve agreement is four-year and covers 2026–2029.
Innovation Fund Denmark is still exploring how the Fund can specifically leverage the multi-year framework to deliver the greatest possible benefit for the ecosystem and Denmark.
The Fund expects the multi-year framework to enable greater transparency, better opportunities for long-term planning of our programmes and initiatives, and improved conditions for researchers and companies.
Follow Innovation Fund Denmark’s website, newsletter and LinkedIn in 2026, where we will publish further information on an ongoing basis.
This news item will be updated continuously with relevant links
How to invest in Innovation Fund Denmark in 2026
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Themes:
- Green technology and innovation
- Life science, health and welfare technology
- Critical and digital technologies
- Defence and security technology (Defence Tech Denmark theme)
- Open/non-thematic funding
Change to guidelines:
In the spring round in 2026, you will need to start your Innofounder programme on 1 August. Otherwise, there are no major changes to the guidelines.
Application rounds:
- Innofounder Spring 2026 – expected to be open from 20 January 2026 to 17 February 2026
- Innofounder Autumn 2026 – not yet determined
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Themes:
- Green technology and innovation
- Life science, health and welfare technology
- Critical and digital technologies
- Open/non-thematic funding
Changes to guidelines:
No material changes to assessment criteria or evaluation process.
Application rounds in 2026:
- Round 1, 2026
E-grant opens: 2 January
Application deadline: 30 January
Panels: weeks 11–13 - Round 2, 2026
E-grant opens: 26 March
Application deadline: 23 April
Panels: weeks 23–25
Go to call - Round 3, 2026
E-grant opens: 26 August
Application deadline: 23 September
Panels: weeks 45–47
Q&A:
- application round: 26/3 at 12:00
- application round: 25/8 at 12:00
Keep an eye on our website and newsletter for links to the Q&A when they are available.
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Themes:
- Green technology and innovation
- Life science, health and welfare technology
- Critical and digital technologies
- Defence and security technology (Defence Tech Denmark theme). Funding has so far only been allocated to this theme in the first two calls in 2026.
Changes to guidelines:
The option for “Excellence applications” has been removed. Previously, applicants with an average score above 5 who did not receive funding because the pool’s budget had been exhausted were offered to be carried over to the next application period with the same score. This is no longer possible.
Going forward, there will be a short break between application rounds.
The minimum score to proceed in competition for funding or to panel has been raised from 3.5 to 4.0.
The activity plan is now a template to be completed in e-grant.
Application rounds in 2026:
- Period 1: 22 January 2026 – 12 March 2026 at 12:00 noon
- Period 2: 26 March 2026 – 13 May 2026 at 12:00 noon Go to call
- Period 3: 27 May 2026 – 6 August 2026 at 12:00 noon Go to call
- Period 4: 20 August 2026 – 15 October 2026 at 12:00 noon
Please note that minor changes may occur. Remember to stay updated via our website and newsletter.
Webinars:
There are currently no webinars planned for 2026. Webinars will be announced on our website and in our newsletter.
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- Capture and storage or use of CO₂ (CCUS)
- Green fuels for transport and industry (Power-to-X, etc.)
- Climate- and environmentally friendly agriculture and food production
- Circular economy with a focus on plastics and textiles
Keep an eye on Innovation Fund Denmark’s website for upcoming application opportunities and deadlines.
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Themes:
- Green research, technology and innovation
- Life science, health and welfare technology
- Critical and digital technologies
- Space
- Non-thematic funding
- Greenland and the Faroe Islands (autumn call only)
Application rounds in 2026:
- Industrial PhD and postdoc: expected to open for applications on 20 January 2026 with an expected deadline of 24 February 2026 (only open to applications with private companies)
- Industrial PhD and postdoc: expected to open for applications in August 2026 with a deadline in early September 2026 (expected to be open to applications with private companies and public organisations)
Changes to guidelines:
No major changes are expected to the guidelines or the project description template
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Themes:
- Green research, technology and innovation
- Research in energy systems
- Biotechnology and biosolutions
- Life science, health and welfare technology
- Critical and digital technologies
- Artificial intelligence
- Space Technology
- Nuclear power
- Quantum technologies
Application rounds in 2026
Phase 1: application period from 5 January to 3 March 2026 at 12:00 noon
Phase 2 (invitation only from phase 1): application period from mid-June to 10 September 2026 at 12:00 noon
Changes to guidelines and contact
- Only minor adjustments have been made to the current guidelines.
If you have questions about the 2026 application round, you can contact the Grand Solutions team here: Phone: +45 61 90 50 00 - Email: store.projekter@innofond.dk
Phone hours: Tuesday and Thursday: 9:00–12:00
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All themes
Horizon Europe
- Eurostars 3 – Call 10
Application deadline: 19 March 2026 - Eurostars 3 – Call 11
To be announced
Life science, health and welfare technology
Horizon Europe
- THCS (Transforming Health and Care Systems) – Call 4 – Access to care
Application deadline: 2 February 2026 - EP PerMed (European Partnership for Personalised Medicine) – Call 2026 – Personalised Medicine for CARdiovascular, MEtabolic, and kidNey diseases
Application deadline: 10 February 2026 - ERDERA (European Rare Diseases Research Alliance) – Call 2 – Resolving unsolved cases in rare genetic and non‑genetic diseases
Application deadline: 12 February 2026 - OH AMR (European Partnership One Health Anti-Microbial Research) – Call 1 – Treatments and adherence to treatment protocols
Application deadline: 2 February 2026 - Brain Health Call 1 – Neurological Mental Sensory Disorders
Application deadline: 10 March 2026 - Brain Health Call 2 – Neurodegenerative Disorders
Application deadline: 10 March 2026 - BE READY NOW (European Partnership for Pandemic Preparedness) – Call 1
Pre-announced
Critical and digital technologies
Horizon Europe
- Chips JU – Lab to Fab Accelerators for Advanced Packaging and Heterogeneous Integration
Application deadline: 25 February 2026 - Chips JU Calls 2026
To be announced
EUREKA
- Globalstars Japan
Application deadline: 21 January 2026
Global
- Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges – NordForsk
Pre-announced
Green research and innovation
Horizon Europe
- Biodiversa+ – Call 6 – Future sustainable socio-ecological systems: trajectories of change
Pre-announced - Water4All – Call 5
To be announced - SBEP – Sustainable Blue Economy – Call 4
To be announced - AFST AgroEcology – Call 3 – Fostering plant and animal genetic diversity and empowering farmers to accelerate the agroecological transition
Application deadline: 18 February 2026 - AgData (Partnership for Agriculture of Data) – Call 1 – EU-wide data-driven solutions to real problems
Application deadline: 21 January 2026 - CETP – Clean Energy Transition – Call 4
Application deadline: 12 March 2026 - DUT – Driving Urban Transitions – Call 4
To be announced - EUPAHW – European Partnership for Animal Health and Welfare – Call 2 – Shaping the Future of Animal Health and Welfare
Pre-announced - Forests (Forests and Forestry for a Sustainable Future) – Call 1
To be announced - RAMP (Raw Materials) – Call 1
To be announced
- Eurostars 3 – Call 10