DFF-Research Project2

DFF-Research Project2

Funds established researchers in Denmark for major multi-year projects through competitive peer-review grant pathways.

The Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) distributes DKK 2.2 billion per year to research across all scientific fields through a set of peer-reviewed instruments. DFF-Research Project2 is the mid-to-senior career project grant, targeting researchers who completed their PhD at least eight years before the submission deadline. The autumn 2026 call (instrument code E26) closes on 7 October 2026 at 12:00 noon Danish time.

Award budgets range from DKK 2,550,000 to DKK 4,450,000 excluding institutional overhead, making this the highest-budget open-topic instrument in DFF's core portfolio. The minimum seniority requirement — PhD obtained no later than October 7, 2018, with accepted leave deductions — distinguishes Project2 from the Sapere Aude Research Leader scheme, which targets researchers 3–8 years post-PhD. Applications must be submitted via the applicant's Danish host institution, which must be a university or accredited research organisation. Applicants may hold no more than two active DFF grants and may submit only one application per annual cycle.

Scientific evaluation is conducted by one of DFF's five Research Councils using international peer review. The October cycle allows projects funded in that round to start in 2027. Applicants with cross-disciplinary or green-transition research themes should also consider the thematic calls (Green Research, AI Research) that run concurrently in the DFF portfolio, as the thematic instruments carry their own dedicated budget pools.