Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF)

The Danish National Research Foundation funds frontline, curiosity-driven research of the highest quality in Denmark.

Who are we?

The Danish National Research Foundation (DNRF) is an independent organization established by the Danish Parliament in 1991, promoting and stimulating research at the frontiers of all scientific fields. Since its establishment, the foundation has been endowed with 3 billion DKK in 2008 and again in 2015, allowing it to operate until 2036. The endowment secures independence and a long-term commitment to the best Danish research.

What do we do?

The DNRF has two funding instruments:

• Centers of Excellence –the foundation’s flagship and the primary funding mechanism. A center grant is large and flexible and has a lifetime of up to 10 years. The DNRF expects a center to deliver groundbreaking results.
• Niels Bohr Professorships – this instrument has the distinct purpose of enriching Danish research communities with top-class researchers from abroad.

How do we decide whom to fund?

Funding decisions are based on three core values:

• Excellence – we strive for excellence in every aspect of the research endeavor.
• Transparency – we strive for transparency in the assessment and selection processes.
• Risk-taking – we acknowledge that groundbreaking research requires risk-taking.

How do we support our grantees?

Grant support is based on three core values:

• Freedom – we strive to provide grantees with freedom and flexibility.
• Trust – we strive to support our grantees and trust in them.
• Engagement – we engage with and learn from each grantee.