CFAs: Novo Nordisk Foundation Award for Interdisciplinary Teachers at the University (Denmark)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Award for Interdisciplinary Teachers at the University recognizes teams of two or three university educators in Denmark who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to interdisciplinary science teaching. The annual award provides a total prize of DKK 1,500,000, including a DKK 25,000 personal honorary prize for each teacher, while the remaining funds are provided to the university as an educational grant to support the further development of interdisciplinary teaching, facilities, equipment, and educational projects. The Novo Nordisk Foundation established the award to recognize university teaching teams that demonstrate exceptional commitment to interdisciplinary science education. The award celebrates educators who connect different scientific disciplines within their teaching and contribute to innovative approaches to university education.

The program aims to:

The award focuses on educators who integrate different areas of science within their educational programs. Eligible interdisciplinary teaching can involve the integration of: The emphasis is on teaching approaches that bring different scientific fields together rather than treating disciplines entirely separately. The total prize sum is DKK 1,500,000. The prize is divided between the individual teachers and their university.

Each teacher receives:

The remainder of the prize is allocated to the university as an educational grant. For a team of two teachers, DKK 50,000 is allocated as personal honorary prizes, with the remaining DKK 1,450,000 going to the university. For a team of three teachers, DKK 75,000 is allocated as personal honorary prizes, with the remaining DKK 1,425,000 going to the university. The university’s share must be used by the awarded team to further develop interdisciplinary teaching.

Possible uses include:

The funding is therefore intended to create longer-term benefits for interdisciplinary education beyond the individual recognition of the teachers. The award is intended for teams of two or three university teachers in Denmark.

The nominated teachers must:

The team should demonstrate a strong commitment to interdisciplinary science education and a record of teaching achievements.

Nominations must be submitted by:

Students and colleagues are encouraged to provide input into the nomination process. Each university can nominate only one team per award cycle. A strong nomination should demonstrate how the nominated teaching team has contributed to interdisciplinary science education.

Relevant achievements may include:

The nomination should make the team’s contribution and achievements clear. Although the formal nomination must be submitted by the Vice-Chancellor or Vice-Dean for Education, students and colleagues are encouraged to provide input. This provides an opportunity for the nomination to reflect perspectives from people who have directly experienced or worked alongside the nominated teachers. Explain how the educators integrate different scientific disciplines into their teaching. Describe innovative methods, courses, programs or educational initiatives developed by the team. Explain how the team’s interdisciplinary teaching contributes to students’ learning and educational experience. Highlight how the team’s work has influenced interdisciplinary teaching practices within the university. The award recognizes educators who can serve as role models at an international level. Nominations should therefore clearly explain achievements that demonstrate broader relevance or potential.

Nominating institutions should avoid:

The award is presented annually.

The presentation takes place either:

Recipients also receive additional recognition through Science magazine, where their teaching achievements and ambitions are described. This provides an opportunity to highlight the team’s contribution to interdisciplinary university education to a wider academic audience. It is an annual award recognizing teams of university educators in Denmark who have demonstrated outstanding commitment to interdisciplinary science teaching. Each team must consist of two or three teachers. Each teacher receives DKK 25,000 as a personal honorary prize. The remaining funds are allocated to the university as an educational grant for the development of interdisciplinary teaching. It can support activities such as purchasing experimental equipment, upgrading teaching facilities, developing teaching projects and funding inspiration trips to other universities. Teachers must be permanently employed at associate professor level or higher, or be on the tenure track at assistant professor level, and teach interdisciplinary subjects at a university in Denmark. The Vice-Chancellor or Vice-Dean for Education must submit the nomination. Yes. Students and colleagues are encouraged to provide input. Each university may nominate only one team per award cycle. The award recognizes interdisciplinary teaching involving natural, technical or health sciences. The award is presented at the annual teaching symposium or at the laureates’ university’s annual celebration. Yes. Award recipients are also featured in Science magazine with a description of their teaching achievements and ambitions. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Award for Interdisciplinary Teachers at the University provides DKK 1.5 million to recognize teams of two or three university educators in Denmark who demonstrate outstanding interdisciplinary science teaching. With personal honorary prizes for the teachers and substantial educational funding for universities to strengthen interdisciplinary teaching, the award supports both individual recognition and continued development of innovative university education. For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.