Challenge Programme: Modelling Human Cardiometabolic Disease

The Challenge is to develop one or more novel human CMD model(s), preclinical, clinical, computational or a combination hereof, with sufficient characterisation and validation to demonstrate that the model(s) reflects the intricate mechanisms and multifactorial nature of these conditions better than current models. Supported research may include but is not limited to:

• In vitro or ex vivo models, such as co-cultures, micro-physiological systems, organoids or organ-on-a-chip models, which allow for precise control of the experimental environment and can mimic the complex interactions within human tissues. Also, the use of patient-derived cells (e.g. iPSCs) for such models or considering key environmental factors could increase the fidelity.
• While ethical and economic considerations call for a reduction in the utilisation of animals in research, more sophisticated animal models may be relevant. Specifically, humanised models, where animals are genetically modified to carry human genes, tissues, or cells to provide more accurate insights into human disease mechanisms and responses to therapies provide new opportunities.
• Computational models where AI and machine learning will play a crucial role in analysing complex datasets generated from CMD patients or disease models to identify patterns and predict disease progression.

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 Costs

• 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 Costs

• 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.

Selection 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.