Call for pre-proposals
The Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) hereby invites researchers to submit pre-proposals for new Centers of Excellence.
The scheme supports excellent, curiosity-driven research at the highest international level across all scientific fields, including interdisciplinary research.
Centers of Excellence are long-term research units hosted at Danish research institutions and established around an ambitious and original scientific vision. The foundation welcomes proposals that are scientifically daring, highly creative, and potentially groundbreaking.
Key Dates
Deadline for pre‑proposals September 11, 2026, at 12:00 noon (CET)
Submission Process
Pre-proposals must be submitted in English. An electronic application system is currently being developed and is expected to be launched on the foundation’s website before summer 2026. Applicants are encouraged to stay updated, as both pre-proposals and full proposals can only be submitted through the new electronic application system.
Assessment Criteria
Excellence is the overarching criterion. The assessment will focus on:
- Ambition and originality of the research idea
- International standing and leadership capacity of the proposed center leader
- Strength of the core research team
- The center’s ability to enable research beyond what is possible through conventional funding schemes
Changes in the Call – 13th Application Round
The DNRF has introduced significant changes in the 13th application round:
- Revised budget frame: A funding range of DKK 30–80 million, with the possibility of additional funding for clearly justified extraordinary costs.
- Peer advisors: As a new initiative, the board will engage peer advisors in its assessment of pre‑proposals to further strengthen the identification of pre-proposals with strong breakthrough potential.
- AI: If generative artificial intelligence is employed during the preparation of the pre-proposal, it should be used responsibly and disclosed with full transparency in the designated part of the application.
Further information is available in the Guide for Applicants and here
Applicants are invited to contact the secretariat if they have any questions about the application process.