Annual Report 2025: 525 new projects funded

Independent Research Fund Denmark has published its Annual Report 2025, highlighting the strong demand for independent research funding, with 525 new research projects funded in 2025 and continued high activity across the fund’s instruments and research areas.

A total of 525 research projects received funding amounting to DKK 2.1 billion in 2025. At the same time, the year was marked by a record-high number of applications submitted to the fund, significantly intensifying competition among applicants.

Find the Annual Report 2025 here

“The high number of applications reflects a strong and highly engaged research community. At the same time, it means that many high-quality projects have to be rejected. This underlines the need for sound and sustainable frameworks for independent research, and in this regard, the amended Act provides an important foundation,” says Søren Serritzlew, Chair of Independent Research Fund Denmark.

The legislative amendment, which entered into force on 1 January 2026, authorises Independent Research Fund Denmark to limit the number of applications submitted to the fund. The fund may now:
• limit the number of applications an applicant may submit to the fund,
• limit the number of applications from active grant holders with two or more grants,
• impose a quarantine period on applicants on the basis of one or more applications that are assessed to be far from competitive in quality.

Read the fund’s news item on application-limiting measures and the amended Act on the fund, which entered into force on 1 January 2026.

The importance of independent research in a changing world

Independent, researcher-initiated research plays a central role in a world characterised by rapid change. Across all scientific fields, research contributes new knowledge and strengthens society’s ability to address complex challenges. 2025 was also a year of continued strong international collaboration for Independent Research Fund Denmark. Among other activities, the fund participates in partnerships under Horizon Europe and NordForsk and contributes to the development of new principles for research assessment through the international CoARA collaboration.

In the Annual Report 2025, you can, among other things, read the Chair’s account of the year, gain insight into the fund’s activities, and explore results, grants and success rates for 2025.

Find the Annual Report 2025 here