Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Science VET Teacher Award in Denmark

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science EUD Teacher Award recognizes exceptional science teaching within vocational education programs across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The award provides a total of DKK 350,000, including DKK 50,000 as a personal honorary prize for an individual teacher and DKK 300,000 for their vocational school. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science EUD Teacher Award recognizes teachers who make an exceptional contribution to science education within vocational education. The award highlights teachers who inspire students to engage with science and technology in a vocational context and who develop teaching approaches that connect scientific knowledge with practical vocational learning. The award covers the Danish Realm (Rigsfællesskabet), including: The program recognizes both individual teachers and teams of teachers from the same vocational school. The total award is DKK 350,000.

For an individual recipient:

For a team of teachers:

The award therefore recognizes the teacher’s personal contribution while also providing resources to the vocational school. The award is intended for skilled teachers working in vocational education programs at vocational schools within the Danish Realm. Eligible teachers may teach subjects significantly based on natural sciences or science, including:

Relevant vocational areas can include:

Applicants or nominees must hold a vocational pedagogical diploma (DEP) or equivalent. For team nominations, at least one member of the team must hold a DEP or equivalent qualification. The primary selection criterion is a demonstrated exceptional teaching effort in one or more relevant science-based subjects.

The award also recognizes teachers who:

The focus is therefore on both teaching quality and the teacher’s broader contribution to science education within the vocational school.

The award accepts nominations for:

Potential candidates can be suggested by:

However, the formal nomination must be submitted through the candidate’s director or educational director. Nominees must also provide consent to their nomination. Teams can include up to three teachers from the same vocational school.

For a team nomination:

The nomination should clearly explain the collective contribution of the team to science education. A strong nomination should provide concrete evidence of the teacher’s contribution to vocational science education.

The nomination can highlight:

Specific examples are more useful than general statements about teaching quality.

Nominations should avoid:

Those preparing a nomination should:

Science plays an important role in many vocational professions, from technology and agriculture to food production and healthcare. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science EUD Teacher Award draws attention to teachers who make science meaningful and engaging in vocational education. The financial award also provides resources to the recipient’s school, allowing the recognition to benefit both the teacher and the wider educational environment. It is an award recognizing exceptional efforts in science education within vocational education programs across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The total award is DKK 350,000, consisting of a personal honorary prize and funding allocated to the recipient’s vocational school. An individual recipient receives DKK 50,000 as a personal honorary prize, while DKK 300,000 is allocated to their vocational school. Yes. A team of up to three teachers from the same vocational school can be nominated. Each team member receives DKK 25,000 from the personal prize component, while DKK 300,000 goes to the school. Relevant subjects include science, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, technology, and vocational subjects based substantially on scientific or technological foundations. Yes. Individual nominees must hold a vocational pedagogical diploma (DEP) or equivalent. For team nominations, at least one team member must have a DEP or equivalent. Students, parents, and colleagues can suggest candidates. However, the formal nomination must be submitted through the nominee’s director or educational director, and the nominee must consent to being nominated. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science EUD Teacher Award recognizes exceptional teachers who strengthen science education within vocational programs across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. With a total award of DKK 350,000, the program celebrates outstanding teaching while providing financial support to the recipient’s vocational school and highlighting effective approaches to science and technology education. For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.