Call for
Informing Humanitarian Response Through Research, Learning and Innovation Grant
Application Deadline:
16 April 2025
About Organisation
The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) is a leading international enterprise foundation committed to advancing medical research and treatment. Based in Denmark, NNF plays a pivotal role in supporting scientific, humanitarian, and social initiatives with a strong focus on health and life sciences. It owns Novo Holdings A/S, a holding company that is the majority shareholder of Novo Nordisk, a globally renowned pharmaceutical company. With a net worth of DKK 1,114 billion (approximately US$167 billion) in 2023, the foundation stands as the wealthiest charitable foundation in the world. Its mission is to contribute significantly to the development of better health and sustainable societies through targeted investments in scientific, humanitarian, and societal advancements. NNF’s extensive philanthropic efforts include funding projects in healthcare, climate resilience, and education. It seeks to generate meaningful, long-term impact by supporting innovative solutions, particularly in challenging and underserved areas, to improve lives across the globe.
About the Grant
The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s open call aims to support innovative and research-driven approaches in humanitarian settings, particularly addressing food security and health outcomes. The grant focuses on improving responses to crises stemming from poverty, conflict, displacement, climate change, and disasters. This funding opportunity encourages humanitarian actors to adopt novel strategies, integrate research insights, and promote learning to elevate the effectiveness of humanitarian interventions.
The priority areas of the grant include improving food security during crises and enhancing the climate resilience of food systems. On the health front, it supports initiatives targeting cardiometabolic disease prevention and management in crisis contexts, with an emphasis on associated health concerns like mental health and infectious diseases. Projects aimed at strengthening the climate resilience of health systems are also encouraged.
The grant seeks impactful projects that combine research and practical innovation to transform humanitarian assistance and contribute to long-term development in affected regions. Emphasis is placed on interdisciplinary collaborations and partnerships that can effectively bridge the gap between research and field-level humanitarian operations.
Who can Apply?
This grant is open to international humanitarian organizations actively engaged in crisis response across multiple countries. Eligible applicants must be not-for-profit entities demonstrating a commitment to transparent operations, including the public availability of annual reports and audited financial statements.
Only one application may be submitted per organization, including any of its sub-offices or legal entities. If multiple applications are received from the same organization or its branches, only the first one will be considered. Therefore, coordination with the organization’s headquarters or Nordic Office is strongly recommended to ensure compliance.
Eligible projects must directly relate to humanitarian aid during emergencies, disaster preparedness, or recovery support. Proposals may also focus on providing assistance in protracted or complex humanitarian crises. Applicants are encouraged to form partnerships with research institutions, regional networks, local organizations, or knowledge-based institutions to strengthen project outcomes and scalability.
Main applicants and all co-applicants must be not-for-profit and involved in humanitarian or development work. The foundation prioritizes projects with a clear link to health improvement and food security in crisis contexts, and with the potential to produce long-term sustainable benefits in the targeted communities.
How to Apply?
Interested organizations must submit a comprehensive application that aligns with the grant’s themes and eligibility requirements. Applications should detail the project scope, methodology, and partnerships, and must be submitted through the official portal before the deadline. The proposal should clearly indicate how it addresses food security and/or health in humanitarian settings, integrating research, learning, or innovative approaches to improve outcomes for affected populations.
Application Deadline
Last Date To Apply
For more information, please visit the grant website here.
