Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Prize for Science Educators in Teacher Education (Denmark)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Prize for Science Educators in Teacher Education is an annual award recognizing outstanding educators in early childhood education programmes within the Danish Realm. The prize focuses on science pedagogy, mathematical awareness, and sustainability, particularly educators who help prepare and inspire future early childhood educators. The prize has a total value of DKK 550,000, including DKK 50,000 for the individual recipient and DKK 500,000 for the recipient’s teacher training college. Nominations for the 2027 prize must be submitted by 16 November 2026 at 12:00 PM Copenhagen time. The Novo Nordisk Foundation established this annual prize to recognize dedicated and skilled educators working within early childhood education programmes at teacher training colleges in the Danish Realm. The award highlights educators who make a significant contribution to the education and qualification of future educators. The programme emphasizes three core areas: The prize recognizes educators who use these areas to create effective learning environments and develop pedagogical programmes based on scientific principles. The prize targets educators at teacher training colleges in the Danish Realm who teach within the specialization of early childhood education. Candidates should demonstrate a special effort in one or more of the prize’s focus areas: Science pedagogy. Mathematical awareness. Sustainability. Particular consideration is given to educators who contribute beyond routine teaching and demonstrate a meaningful impact on future educators, colleagues, and the wider educational environment. The main criterion is a demonstrated special effort within science pedagogy, mathematical awareness, and/or sustainability. The prize places additional emphasis on educators who: Educate, qualify, and motivate future early childhood educators. Develop innovative and inspiring science didactic methods. Apply effective science education methods in teacher education. Share their teaching approaches and experiences with others. Collaborate across different scientific and pedagogical focus areas. Support the transition from daycare to primary school. Help create a stimulating scientific environment for students and colleagues. Contribute to the development of science-based pedagogical programmes. Early childhood educators play an important role in helping children develop curiosity, problem-solving skills, mathematical understanding, and awareness of the natural world. Educators at teacher training colleges influence how future early childhood educators approach these subjects in their own professional practice. The prize therefore aims to highlight educators who strengthen: Science education in early childhood teacher training. Mathematical awareness among future educators. Sustainability education and understanding. Evidence-based pedagogical practice. Collaboration among educators and academic disciplines. Innovative learning environments. The professional development of future early childhood educators. The total prize value is DKK 550,000. The award is divided into two main components:

DKK 50,000: Personal honor prize awarded to the individual educator.

DKK 500,000: Institutional prize awarded to the recipient’s teacher training college.

The institutional funding must be used to advance science education at the teacher training college.

Examples of eligible uses include:

Purchasing experimental or scientific equipment. Funding educational excursions. Upgrading facilities. Supporting science education development projects. Improving resources used for science-based teaching and learning. The prize also covers participation and accommodation for the recipient at the Big Bang conference in March 2027. The prize is awarded annually within the Danish Realm. The announcement and presentation of the prize typically take place in March.

For the 2027 award:

Nomination deadline: 16 November 2026.

Deadline time: 12:00 PM Copenhagen time.

Award presentation: Expected in March 2027.

Big Bang conference: March 2027.

The nomination process allows members of the teacher education community to propose candidates. The following groups are encouraged to nominate educators: Pedagogy students. Colleagues at teacher training colleges. However, nominations must be formally submitted through the candidate’s institution. The nomination must go through one of the following institutional representatives: Head of education. Dean. Rector. The nominated educator must also agree to the nomination. The nomination process involves identifying an eligible educator and demonstrating why their work deserves recognition.

A practical nomination process is:

Identify an eligible educator working at a teacher training college in the Danish Realm within early childhood education. Review the focus areas and determine whether the educator has made a special effort in science pedagogy, mathematical awareness, sustainability, or a combination of these areas. Document the educator’s contribution, including teaching practices, pedagogical methods, development projects, collaborations, and impact on students or colleagues. Explain the educator’s contribution to future educators, particularly how they educate, qualify, and motivate students preparing for careers in early childhood education. Highlight innovative methods, especially inspiring science didactic approaches that have been developed, implemented, or shared. Describe collaboration, including interdisciplinary work or initiatives supporting the transition from daycare to primary school. Submit the nomination through the appropriate institutional authority, such as the head of education, dean, or rector. Obtain the candidate’s agreement before the nomination is submitted. Submit the nomination before the deadline: 16 November 2026 at 12:00 PM Copenhagen time. Yes. Multiple candidates may be nominated from the same teacher training college. This means an