Open Call for Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Teacher Award (Denmark)

Deadline: 16-Nov-2026

The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Science Teacher Award recognizes dedicated and skilled primary school teachers across the Danish Realm for exceptional contributions to science education. The award provides a total of DKK 350,000, including a personal honorary prize of DKK 50,000 for an individual recipient and DKK 300,000 for the recipient’s school to strengthen science education through experimental equipment, facility improvements, educational excursions, or further training. The award also includes participation and accommodation at the Big Bang conference in March 2027, while individual teachers or teams of up to three teachers from the same school can be nominated. The award is open to primary school teachers in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands who teach science-related subjects such as Nature/Technology, Physics/Chemistry, Biology, Geography, and Mathematics. In addition to exceptional teaching effort, candidates may be recognized for motivating children and young people to engage with science and technology, developing and sharing inspiring science teaching methods, participating in external science activities or interdisciplinary collaborations, and helping create a stimulating science environment for colleagues. Teachers must be formally nominated by their school principal or school board, although students, parents, and colleagues are encouraged to suggest candidates. The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s Science Teacher Award is an annual award recognizing exceptional science teaching in primary schools across the Danish Realm. The Danish Realm covered by the award includes: The award aims to highlight teachers who make significant contributions to science education and help children and young people develop interest, knowledge, and motivation in science and technology. Each award has a total value of DKK 350,000.

The award is divided as follows:

If the award is given to a team: The award also includes participation and accommodation at the Big Bang conference in March 2027. The DKK 300,000 allocated to the school must be used to develop science education.

Eligible uses include:

The school funding is intended to create broader benefits for science education rather than serving as additional personal compensation for the recipient. The award is open to dedicated and skilled teachers working in primary schools within the Danish Realm.

The eligible geographic areas are:

Candidates must teach science-related subjects covered by the award, including: The primary selection criterion is a demonstrated exceptional teaching effort in one or more of these subjects. The award primarily recognizes exceptional science teaching, but candidates may also demonstrate broader contributions to science education.

Relevant contributions can include:

A candidate does not need to meet every additional criterion to be considered. The formal nomination must be submitted by the candidate’s: However, the wider school community is encouraged to identify potential candidates. The following groups can suggest teachers: The formal nomination must still be submitted through the appropriate school leadership. Yes. The award allows nominations for either: For a team award, each recipient receives DKK 25,000 personally, while the school receives DKK 300,000. Yes. A teacher who was previously nominated but did not receive the award can be nominated again. However, teachers from the same school are not eligible to receive the award within four years of a previous award being granted to that school. This restriction applies to receiving the award; it does not prevent an unsuccessful previous candidate from being re-nominated. The award supports science education at both the teacher and school levels. For teachers, it provides recognition for exceptional contributions to science teaching and student motivation. For schools, the DKK 300,000 allocation can support practical improvements such as: For students, these investments can help create more engaging opportunities to learn about science and technology. A strong nomination should clearly explain the teacher’s contribution to science education.

Key points to include are:

Concrete examples are more useful than general statements of praise.

Nominators should remember:

Nominators should avoid:

It is an annual award recognizing dedicated and skilled primary school teachers who make exceptional contributions to science education in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The total award is DKK 350,000. An individual recipient receives DKK 50,000, while DKK 300,000 is allocated to the recipient’s school for science education development. For a team of up to three teachers, each recipient receives DKK 25,000 personally, while DKK 300,000 is allocated to their school. The award covers Nature/Technology, Physics/Chemistry, Biology, Geography, and Mathematics. The formal nomination must be made by the school principal or school board. Children, young people, parents, and colleagues can suggest candidates for consideration. Yes. A previously nominated teacher who did not receive the award can be re-nominated. No. Teachers from the same school are ineligible to receive the award within four years of a previous award being received by that school. The Novo Nordisk Foundation Science Teacher Award provides DKK 350,000 to recognize exceptional primary school science teaching across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. By combining a DKK 50,000 personal honorary prize with DKK 300,000 for school-based science education development, the award recognizes teachers while supporting better science teaching resources, facilities, training, and learning opportunities for students. For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.