Emerging Investigator Grants in Plant Science, Agriculture, and Food Biotechnology for Postdoctoral Researchers in the Nordic Region Novo Nordisk Foundation in Denmark

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is offering Emerging Investigator grants for research in Plant Science, Agriculture, and Food Biotechnology for 2026, targeting the Nordic region. These grants aim to support promising research leaders in establishing or strengthening their independent research groups at universities or non-profit research institutions in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. The program is designed to advance sustainability in society and the environment through innovative research in plant science, agriculture, and food biotechnology.

Priority research areas include the development of high-productivity and resilient plants, utilization of microorganisms for sustainability, advancement of agricultural, food, and forestry systems with minimal environmental impact, and the creation of sustainable ingredients and foods from plants, fungi, and microorganisms. The program also encourages the use of precision fermentation, algae, insects, and cellular agriculture for food production, as well as the development of new methods and technologies, including those driven by data science, to support sustainable agriculture and food production.

Eligible applicants are senior postdocs, senior researchers, assistant professors, or recent associate professors (or equivalent) from any country, provided they have the academic potential to establish an independent research program in the Nordic region. The research must be fundamental in nature, with a strategic outlook to improve sustainability and address major challenges in plant, agricultural, and food science. Projects focusing on livestock, aquaculture, clinical studies, or pharmaceuticals are not eligible for this grant.

The grant provides up to DKK 12.50 million over five years, covering salaries (including the applicant and employees), PhD tuition fees, operating expenses, bench fees, equipment, conference participation, travel, publication costs, and direct administrative expenses. The research can commence no earlier than May 2026 and must begin by April 2027 at the latest.

Applications must be submitted via the Novo Nordisk Foundation's online system, following the detailed guidelines available on their website. The call opens on 7 November 2025 and closes on 12 January 2026 at 2:00pm Copenhagen time. For further information, applicants are encouraged to consult the official grant page and contact the foundation's scientific managers if needed.

Key academic keywords: Plant Science, Agriculture, Food Biotechnology, Sustainability, Microorganisms, Climate Change, Data Science, Nordic Countries, Research Funding.