Research Infrastructure

Research Infrastructure

Funds Danish institutions with laboratory infrastructure and advanced equipment to strengthen real-world implementation.

The Carlsberg Foundation's Research Infrastructure programme funds the purchase of scientific equipment or apparatus — and access to international research facilities — for tenured researchers at Danish universities and research institutes. It is designed to address cases where a specific piece of infrastructure is a prerequisite for answering an important scientific question that cannot otherwise be pursued. Minimum award is DKK 300,000; the Foundation will only in rare cases support applications above approximately DKK 5 million, making that figure a practical soft ceiling. The 2026 cycle opens 31 May 2026 and closes 1 September 2026 at 16:00. Historical success rates are 26 percent (2025) and 27 percent (2024), placing this programme among the more competitive research infrastructure streams available in Denmark.

Eligibility is limited to tenured associate professors, senior researchers, and full professors employed at minimum 80 percent effort at Danish universities or research institutes. University colleges and hospitals are explicitly ineligible. Eligible cost categories cover equipment or apparatus purchase, access to international research facilities, and subscription fees for specific periods. Salaries of any kind and core facility operating costs are not fundable. Applications should clearly articulate what scientific question the infrastructure enables and why that question cannot be addressed with currently available equipment — the Foundation evaluates scientific necessity, not just organisational need.

Applications are submitted in English through the CF-Grant portal (cfgrant@carlsbergfoundation.dk). Because eligible costs are restricted to physical infrastructure and access fees, applicants should size their requests carefully: equipment below DKK 300,000 falls outside scope, and requests above DKK 5 million face a very high bar. Researchers planning to apply for the 2026 cycle should begin preparing technical specifications, vendor quotes, and a clear scientific rationale during the spring, ahead of the 31 May opening date when the CF-Grant portal activates for new submissions.