Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) logo
Funder · Federal agency

Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF)

Funds independent Danish research through grants that support universities and institutions pursuing knowledge-driven innovation.

Denmarkdff.dk
Key stats
Annual fundingDKK 2.2B
Programs6
Active grants2
Total grants6
About

Independent Research Fund Denmark, or DFF, is Denmark's independent research council under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science. It allocates about DKK 2.2 billion a year to researcher-initiated basic research across all scientific disciplines, with decisions made through its own board and peer-review councils.

Six grant routes are available: DFF-Research Project1, DFF-Research Project2, …

Programs & grants under this funder
DFF Green Research

Invests in cross-disciplinary teams studying the green transition with links across scientific fields.

1 grant
DFF Green Research — Thematic
Between cycles
— pool
Inge Lehmann Programme

Supports early-career researchers and prioritizes women to strengthen equal representation in science.

1 grant
Inge Lehmann Programme
Between cycles
DKK 81.8M pool
DFF-International Postdoctoral Grant

Funds early-career Danish researchers pursuing two-year research visits to partner institutions overseas.

1 grant
DFF-International Postdoctoral Grant
Open
— pool·74 days
DFF-Research Project1

Supports investigator-led basic research across all career stages at Danish institutions.

1 grant
DFF-Research Project1
Closed
— pool
DFF-Research Project2

Backs senior researchers in Danish institutions to lead large independent basic projects.

1 grant
DFF-Research Project2
Open
— pool·45 days
Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader

Supports promising early-career scientists building independent leadership through a multi-phase science program.

1 grant
Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader
Closed
— pool
Parent entityMinistry of Higher Education and Science (Denmark)
Last verified: 28 May 2026Source: dff.dk