Apply for Challenge Programme: Unravelling the Pathways of Human Invasive Fungal Diseases

The Challenge Programme aims to contribute substantially to the development of Danish and European research ecosystems within research areas of strategic priority to the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The goal is to develop innovative solutions to major scientific challenges, supporting leading researchers to form a consortium united by a clear vision and mission.

Areas of Research

• Supported research may include (but is not limited to):
  • Elucidating the role of fungal virulence factors: The fungal and environmental factors driving the switch from commensal to virulent pathogen are somewhat poorly characterised. Studies investigating fungal virulence factors should facilitate understanding of how fungal invasive diseases are established and maintained, with the long-term aim to inform new treatments.
  • Studying host-pathogen interactions: Given the commensal nature of fungal pathogens, understanding how they are sensed and eliminated by the human host is imperative. Studies which would increase our understanding of anti-fungal host defences should also aim to improve the management of life-threatening invasive fungal infections.
  • Understanding mechanisms of anti-fungal resistance: Pathogenic fungi are evolving resistance to all licensed systemic antifungal drugs. Their understanding of resistance mechanisms is somewhat limited, and new knowledge is therefore highly needed to inform novel and better drug targets and design.
  • Advancing fungal disease markers: Studies focusing on the role and detection of fungal metabolites, toxins and biomarkers of pathogenesis that would facilitate the development of improved diagnostic tools, ultimately aiding in the timely identification and treatment of these diseases.
  • Understanding mechanisms of anti-fungal resistance: Pathogenic fungi are evolving resistance to all licensed systemic antifungal drugs. Their understanding of resistance mechanisms is somewhat limited, and new knowledge is therefore highly needed to inform novel and better drug targets and design.
  • Advancing fungal disease markers: Studies focusing on the role and detection of fungal metabolites, toxins and biomarkers of pathogenesis that would facilitate the development of improved diagnostic tools, ultimately aiding in the timely identification and treatment of these diseases.

Funding Information

• A total budget of up to DKK 150 million (ca. EUR 20 million) is available for grants up to DKK 75 million (ca. EUR 10 million) for projects lasting up to 6 years.

Eligible Expenses

• Applicants may apply for funding for the following types of expenses when directly related to the project:
  • Salary for technicians, analysts, and other technical assistance, including laboratory administrators.
  • Salary for postdoctoral researchers.
  • Salary for Ph.D. students.
  • Salary for employees or project consultants at all staffing levels, including project management; however, main applicant and co-applicants cannot receive funding for their own salary.
  • Operating costs: Direct expenses for developing, implementing, and operating the project, including materials, consumables, animals, services, etc., directly related to the project.
  • Operating cost related to the purchase of high-end compute power for use in the research project.
  • Equipment: Provided it is essential for the proposed project and its use after completion of the project can be clearly justified.
  • Infrastructure: required for the project. Infrastructure funded by the grant must be located at the host institution both during and after the project period. Free/excess capacity for the infrastructure must be made available to the wider research community. Infrastructure cannot comprise most requested funds.

Ineligible Expenses

• The Foundation will not award funding for:
  • Salary for the main- and co-applicants
  • Commercial activities
  • Overhead/indirect costs (such as rent, electricity, water and maintenance)
  • Double funding of projects.

Eligibility Criteria

• The main applicant must be an independent tenured/tenure-track researcher with their own research group, employed at a European (European Union, Schengen Area plus United Kingdom) university, hospital, or non-profit research organisation, which will be the host institution and will be responsible for administration of the grant.
• The main applicant must be employed at the host institution with at least a 75% commitment and must be guaranteed their own salary for the entire project period.
• Co-applicant institutions may be located anywhere globally.
• At least one applicant (either main- or co-applicant) must be at least 75% employed and have their research group at a Danish university, hospital, or non-profit research organisation.

Assessment Criteria

• The selection of the successful Challenge Programme applicants will be primarily based on the following criteria:
  • Scientific Quality and Impact
  • Scientific Approach
  • Scientific Environment and Collaboration
  • Investigators’ track record.

For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.