Practice-oriented research on elderly and ageing strengthened with DKK 12,4 million

Two new, original research ideas are now being realised with support from Independent Research Fund Denmark. The research projects aim to strengthen practice-oriented research in care and support for older citizens, including within the primary healthcare sector.

What does it mean for eldercare in Denmark when an increasing part of the staff have an immigrant background, and how can the best possible eldercare in Greenland be developed in ways that take account of the country’s cultural values and geographical conditions?

This is the focus of the two research projects under the theme ‘Research on elderly and ageing”, which can now be launched with a grant from Independent Research Fund Denmark.

»This year, the call placed greater emphasis on practice-oriented research and on concrete collaboration between researchers and practitioners. This was clearly reflected in many of the applications, where we saw strong partnerships – for example between researchers and nursing homes or general practice. The projects were generally of a high standard, and I am convinced that the funded projects will have great significance for practice and thereby for society,« says Mattias Strandh, Professor at Umea University. He is Chair of the thematic research committee ‘DFF | Thematic Research – Elderly, vulnerability and poor well-being’, which has awarded the grants for this theme. 

Emphasis has been placed on ensuring that the research projects are multidisciplinary, meaning that they must involve at least two different research disciplines within one joint project. In addition, the research must be practice-oriented, with the aim of addressing concrete problems in real-life situations, and involving collaboration between researchers and practitioners.

The research projects under this theme must focus on care and support for elderly and ageing citizens. This may include exploring older people’s social, psychological and physical resilience, or areas such as rehabilitation, prevention, reform of eldercare, or challenges related to inequality or compassion fatigue in eldercare.

See both research projects under 'Research on elderly and ageing' in 2025 here. 

For the first time this year, all research projects applying for funding from the thematic programmes are required to have both a PI and a Co-PI.

The thematic research committee ‘DFF | Thematic Research – Elderly, vulnerability and poor well-being’ has also awarded grants under the theme ‘Vulnerability and poor well-being’.

Please note that grant amounts and the number of awards are subject to change following the upcoming administrative review.

Facts about the theme

Independent Research Fund Denmark has received a total of 29 applications for ‘Research on elderly and ageing’, and funding has been awarded to two projects. The success rate is 7% measured by the number of applications.

‘Research on elderly and ageing’ is one of 12 politically determined themes to which Independent Research Fund Denmark will allocate funding in 2025.

Since 2018, Independent Research Fund Denmark has awarded research grants within politically determined themes, which are financed through annual political agreements on the distribution of the research reserve.

The programmes are open to applications from all scientific fields that can contribute knowledge relevant to the theme. Politically prioritised thematic research serves as a supplement to independent research based on researchers’ own curiosity-driven initiatives.