296 million DKK for independent, curiosity-driven research

Across a wide range of scientific disciplines, 48 talented researchers have received funding, and together with their research teams they will now bring their ideas to life.

The projects include research into facial recognition and why some people have more difficulty recognising faces than others, economic theory, and how to make agricultural crops more resistant to drought.

See all research projects that have received a DFF–Research Project2 grant in 2026 here.

“Curiosity-driven research is essential to ensure room for thinking big in original projects with the potential to create breakthroughs. That is why it is always a great pleasure to award funding through DFF–Research Project2, as it allows researchers to pursue their very best – and sometimes bold and experimental – ideas,” says Søren Serritzlew, chair of the Board of Independent Research Fund Denmark.

Among the new grant recipients is Astrid Würtz Rasmussen from Aarhus University, whose project will examine the societal consequences of declining birth rates and what this means for civic engagement, economic decision-making, as well as attitudes and values across generations. This knowledge can, for example, be used in political decision-making related to adapting the welfare state to demographic changes.

Read about Astrid Würtz Rasmussens research project here: How do children influence our choices in life?

A key characteristic of a DFF–Research Project2 grant is that the recipient is an experienced, independent researcher at a high international level, and that the project is carried out in collaboration between several researchers.

Please note that the grant amounts and the number of grants may be subject to change following the upcoming administrative review.