Danish Health Foundation Grants for Health and Social Research (Denmark)

Helsefonden is accepting applications from Danish organisations and institutions for projects that improve health and living conditions, develop new knowledge or methods, and demonstrate measurable and realistically implementable results. Helsefonden provides grants for projects operating within Denmark’s social and health sectors. The Foundation supports initiatives that improve the health and living conditions of target populations while generating new knowledge, methods or practical solutions. Applicants must explain how the project’s effects will be documented and measured. Projects should demonstrate originality, professional quality and a realistic pathway toward implementation from both technical and financial perspectives. Helsefonden has three annual application deadlines: one for research applications and two for Other Applications. Helsefonden does not consider applications requesting less than DKK 50,000. A grant will typically not exceed DKK 600,000. In exceptional circumstances, non-research projects may receive larger grants. Organisations seeking a higher amount should contact the Foundation and explain the project’s exceptional potential. Funding primarily covers salary expenses, although applicants may also request support for other costs directly connected with project delivery. Helsefonden may cover overhead of up to 20%. The approval and amount of overhead will depend on an individual assessment of the application. The budget must show the complete cost of the project, including costs expected to be financed through other sources. Applications are accepted from Danish organisations and institutions, including: Individuals cannot apply, and the Foundation does not provide private financial assistance. Only one application may be submitted by each lead applicant. Organisations with a previous Helsefonden grant may apply again only after the earlier grant has been completed and the final report submitted. Associations must include their latest annual accounts and provide their most recent membership number. A membership list is not required. Helsefonden accepts research proposals from early-career and experienced researchers. Prospective doctoral researchers may apply but must include a curriculum vitae or confirmation from their principal supervisor. For student research-year projects, the supervisor must serve as the lead applicant. Research proposals should present a strong methodological foundation and explain how the study will generate useful knowledge for health, social medicine or the intersection between social and healthcare services. Projects must demonstrate how they will improve the health or living conditions of the intended population. Applicants should explain how results and changes will be documented. The Foundation looks for originality and contributions to new knowledge or new methods. Projects must demonstrate high professional quality and realistic implementation potential. Helsefonden gives particular attention to research addressing health equality, social medicine, health promotion and topics situated at the intersection of health and social care. Projects combining health-related and social-science perspectives are especially relevant. The Foundation prefers research that investigates and analyses possible solutions rather than merely describing an existing problem. Proposals should be based on sound methodology, such as a preliminary study, existing evidence review or another clearly justified research foundation. Helsefonden may support clinical, cross-sectoral or practice-based research. Eligible fields include epidemiological research and health-economics research. The Foundation supports research concerning social medicine, disease prevention and other activities within health and the combined social and healthcare sectors. Research into housing models for older people or people with disabilities may also be considered. Projects should demonstrate practical relevance and the potential to improve policy, services, professional practice or outcomes for target populations. Funding primarily supports salaries for personnel working on the approved project. Other project-related expenses may also be included when they are necessary for implementation. Applicants may request overhead of up to 20%, subject to Helsefonden’s assessment. The proposed budget should cover the project’s complete financial requirements rather than only the amount requested from the Foundation. Every budget item should be clearly connected with an activity, output or research requirement. Helsefonden does not generally support projects primarily involving laboratory or basic research, including studies using animal experiments. Projects testing existing treatments, medicines, dietary supplements, assistive devices, medical equipment, applications or other information-technology solutions are not eligible. Applications requesting less than DKK 50,000 will not be considered. Projects that previously received a rejection from the Foundation cannot be resubmitted. Projects must not begin before the application deadline. Projects scheduled to begin one year or more after the application deadline are also ineligible. The Foundation does not cover expenditure incurred before the grant decision. Projects solely involving conference attendance, study tours or stays abroad will not receive funding. Fees and continuing-education projects, including programs at master’s level, are not eligible. Helsefonden does not support the organisation of conferences, theatre productions, concerts or similar events. Funding cannot be used for exclusively commercial purposes or to increase operating capital. Applications primarily requesting general operating support for recurring activities or expansions without a clear element of innovation will not be prioritised. Applicants must use the digital application system available through Helsefonden’s website. Complete all required fields and upload