The Lundbeck Foundation is offering a Science Engagement and Communication (SEC) Grant for projects based in Denmark, with a deadline of October 9, 2025. This grant aims to foster a deeper public understanding of the brain, neuroscience, and related disorders, bridging the gap between scientific research and society.
Key Takeaways
- Focus: Neuroscience, brain disorders, and related health research.
- Eligibility: Projects must be based in Denmark.
- Funding: Supports Science Education Projects (high-school level and above) and Science Communication Projects.
- Deadline: October 9, 2025.
Grant Objectives and Scope
The SEC Grant is designed to support initiatives that enhance public comprehension of the brain and nervous system, promote understanding of brain disorders, and reduce associated stigma. It also aims to illuminate the landscape of health research and engage individuals in neuroscience, thereby attracting and retaining talent in biomedical and health sciences, particularly in fields like psychiatry.
Project Categories
The grant supports two distinct types of projects:
- Science Education Projects: These projects are targeted at high school students or higher education levels. They should aim to strengthen the understanding of the brain and nervous system, as well as brain disorders and their consequences. Crucially, these projects require explicit endorsement from an educational institution.
- Science Communication Projects: These initiatives focus on clarifying the conditions of health research and improving public awareness of the brain, neurological conditions, and their societal implications. Applicants must clearly demonstrate the connection between their proposed activities and the anticipated outcomes.
Application Requirements and Evaluation
Applicants and co-applicants must possess demonstrable experience relevant to their proposed projects. Projects must be physically located in Denmark. A single main applicant is limited to one application per year. Up to 10% of the total project costs can be allocated for external project evaluation. Funding will not be provided for activities that have already occurred before the grant approval date.
Projects that are out of scope include those involving international science competitions or courses, conference travel or exchanges, dissemination of funded projects outside Denmark, pure translation work, and general mental health or well-being initiatives lacking a specific neuroscience component.
Applications will be assessed based on several criteria, including relevance to neuroscience, engagement with the target audience, demonstrated need and demand for the project, clarity of the link between activities and outcomes, innovation, feasibility, applicant’s experience, collaboration strength, monitoring and evaluation plans, and overall value for money.
Submission Essentials
Successful applications will include a clear statement of purpose and aims, defined target groups, a detailed project description highlighting its uniqueness and timeliness, expected impacts with indicators, plans for future sustainability and dissemination, a comprehensive budget with justification, the applicant’s CV, and supporting letters from the host institution and other relevant partners. Support letters from entities outside the core project team are encouraged.
