New Exploratory Research and Discovery (NERD) Programme 2026

The NERD programme supports creative and ambitious researchers within the natural and technical sciences at any career stage after obtaining the PhD degree. The programme provides ample funding and a long time-horizon to explore truly exceptional ideas with potential application within the life sciences, health sciences or sustainability. The NERD programme uses a two-stage evaluation procedure where applicants remain anonymous at the first stage to ensure emphasis is put on the proposed scientific ideas. The top-ranked applications proceed to the second stage where CVs and publication lists are included for feasibility assessment. The programme aims to provide the required long-term stability and continuity for a single principal investigator to explore truly exceptional research ideas. In the year the NERD project begins, the applicant's grant portfolio as Principal Investigator must not exceed an annual total of DKK 4 million including potential overhead.