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Novo Nordisk Foundation is currently accepting applications for its Female Heart – Clinical Research Grant Programme 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) has established this clinical research programme to bridge the critical knowledge gap in how cardiovascular diseases affect men and women differently. Historically, clinical norms have been based on male physiology; this grant specifically funds research that places female heart health and sex-specific risk factors at the center of the scientific hypothesis.
This grant requires a specific “Nordic Anchor” combined with global collaboration.
Main Applicant: Must be an established researcher anchored at a university, hospital, or non-profit institution in a Nordic country (Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, or Iceland). They must have salary security for the duration of the project.
Co-Applicants: International collaboration is mandatory. At least one co-applicant must be located outside the main applicant’s country. They can be based anywhere in the world.
Host Institution: Must be a non-profit research-oriented entity.
The application process is divided into two phases.
Phase 1:
The application for Phase 1 consists of a brief concept note describing the proposed research project and a high-level budget. This is evaluated internally in the Novo Nordisk Foundation and selected applicants will be invited to Phase 2. The Foundation will not provide feedback in case an application is declined in Phase 1. Applicants will be notified in April regarding either rejection or invitation to submit a phase two full application.
Phase 2:
Applicants will be asked to submit a full application which will be evaluated by external peer review.
The peer review will be conducted by international experts in the research area, and a summary of the anonymous peer review feedback will, in writing, be shared with the applicants post granting decision, regardless of the outcome of that decision. The peer review is meant as valuable feedback regarding the projects. It will not be possible to submit objections to the funding decision nor the peer review.
The applications will primarily be assessed based on the following criteria:
