Inge Lehmann Programme

Inge Lehmann Programme

Funds early-career Danish researchers with peer-reviewed grants for three-year scientific projects across disciplines.

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The Inge Lehmann Programme is a thematic instrument within Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF), named after the Danish seismologist and designed to address persistent gender imbalance in Danish research leadership. The 2026 call closes on 17 June 2026 at 12:00 noon Danish time. DFF has allocated DKK 81.8 million in total for approximately 22–23 grants, with individual awards capped at DKK 2,550,000 excluding institutional overhead. The prior success rate stands at 11% (23 grants).

Eligible applicants must hold a PhD that is 2–6 years old as of 17 June 2026 and must have accumulated at least two years of independent research experience post-PhD. Employment as an assistant professor, associate professor, or equivalent researcher at a Danish institution is required throughout the grant period of typically three years (extendable to four if a PhD student is included). The programme is formally open to all genders; however, DFF's published policy states it will, as a general rule, select female applicants over equally qualified male applicants when scientific merit is equivalent. Projects may cover any scientific discipline.

Applications are submitted in English through the applicant's Danish host institution using DFF's standard application portal. Budget submissions follow the mandatory DFF template, and overhead is excluded from the DKK 2.55M ceiling. DFF evaluates proposals through the relevant discipline-specific Research Council. Applicants who miss the June deadline or fall outside the 2–6 year PhD window should consider DFF-Research Project1 (spring cycle) or Sapere Aude Research Leader (October deadline, 3–8 year window).