Nominations open for Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Nature-themed Pedagogical Prize (Denmark)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Nature-themed Pedagogical Prize recognizes educators in daycare institutions across the Kingdom of Denmark who demonstrate outstanding pedagogical work in nature, outdoor life, and science. Each prize provides DKK 200,000, including a DKK 50,000 personal honorary prize and DKK 150,000 for the winning institution to develop nature and science-based educational activities through equipment, nature studies, facility improvements, excursions, or further training. The Novo Nordisk Foundation established the Nature-themed Pedagogical Prize to recognize dedicated educators who inspire young children through nature, outdoor activities, and science-based learning. The prize aims to strengthen the importance of early science and nature education by highlighting innovative and effective pedagogical approaches within the curriculum theme of nature and science. The award recognizes educators who create engaging learning experiences that encourage children to explore natural phenomena, technology, and their surrounding environment. Each prize is worth DKK 200,000. The prize is divided into two parts: The institutional funding must be used to further develop pedagogical work related to the nature curriculum theme. If the prize is awarded to a team, the DKK 50,000 personal prize is divided among the individual recipients. The DKK 150,000 allocated to the institution can support further development of nature and science-based pedagogical activities.

Examples include:

The funding is intended to strengthen the institution’s ongoing educational work rather than serve solely as individual recognition. The prize is open to educators working at daycare institutions in the Kingdom of Denmark. Eligible candidates should demonstrate special pedagogical efforts related to: The prize can recognize either an individual educator or a team of educators from the same institution. Teams of up to three educators can be nominated. All members of a nominated team must come from the same institution. The personal honorary prize is divided among the team members if the team receives the award. The selection process considers several aspects of pedagogical work with nature and science.

Relevant contributions may include:

Not all of these criteria are mandatory for consideration. An important aspect of the prize is the ability to engage young children with science and technology. Educators may demonstrate this through activities that encourage children to: The emphasis is on creating meaningful and engaging experiences appropriate for young children. The prize can recognize educators who develop new or inspiring ways of teaching children about nature and science. This may include methods that encourage children to investigate and experiment while creating shared attention around natural phenomena and technology. Sharing successful approaches with colleagues can also demonstrate a broader contribution to the institution’s pedagogical environment. Candidates may also demonstrate how they contribute to a stimulating science-oriented environment for colleagues.

This could involve:

Nominations must be submitted by an authorized representative of the daycare institution.

Eligible nominators include:

The nominee must provide consent before the nomination is submitted. The prize is available to educators working in eligible daycare institutions within the Kingdom of Denmark. An institution that has previously received the award cannot receive it again for four years after winning. This restriction applies at the institutional level and should be considered when preparing a nomination. Clearly explain what the educator or team does to integrate nature, outdoor life and science into everyday daycare activities. Describe practical activities, investigations, experiments or nature-based learning experiences that demonstrate the nominee’s approach. Show how the activities encourage curiosity, motivation, exploration and interest in science and technology. Explain any new or particularly inspiring pedagogical methods developed by the educator or team. Where relevant, explain how the nominee shares knowledge with colleagues or contributes to a stimulating scientific environment within the institution.

Nominators should avoid:

It is a Novo Nordisk Foundation award recognizing educators in Danish daycare institutions for outstanding pedagogical work involving nature, outdoor life and science. DKK 50,000 is provided as a personal honorary prize, while DKK 150,000 is allocated to the institution. The institutional funding can support equipment purchases, nature studies, facility upgrades, excursions, further training and other pedagogical development related to the nature curriculum theme. Yes. Teams of up to three educators from the same institution can be nominated. The DKK 50,000 personal honorary prize is divided among the members of the winning team. Educators working at daycare institutions in the Kingdom of Denmark who demonstrate special pedagogical efforts in nature, outdoor life and science can be nominated. Relevant activities can include investigations, experiments and approaches that create shared attention around natural phenomena and technology. The institution manager, area manager or institution board can submit a nomination. Yes. The nominee’s consent is required. No. Not all of the stated criteria are mandatory for consideration. An institution that has received the award cannot receive it again for four years after winning. The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Nature-themed Pedagogical Prize provides DKK 200,000 to recognize outstanding educators working with nature, outdoor life and science in Danish daycare institutions. By combining a personal honorary prize with institutional funding for equipment, nature studies, excursions, facility improvements and professional development, the award supports both educator recognition and the continued development of engaging science and nat