INNOVATIONSFONDEN

Their core work

Denmark's national innovation fund that co-finances transnational research programmes across Europe. They participate in ERA-NET Cofund actions to align Danish research priorities and funding with European joint programming initiatives. Their role is to pool national research budgets into coordinated calls covering agriculture, health, environment, energy, and quantum technologies. They are a funding body, not a research performer — their value lies in opening Danish funding streams to international consortia.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In 2015-2018, Innovationsfonden focused heavily on agriculture, food security, and water management through ERA-NETs like FACCE SURPLUS, WaterWorks, and PLATFORM2, alongside early joint programming for neurodegenerative diseases. From 2019 onward, the portfolio shifted toward biodiversity, ecosystem restoration, socio-ecological systems, and international cooperation (BiodivClim, BiodivRestore, AquaticPollutants), while maintaining health commitments through personalised medicine and AMR programmes. The trend shows a clear pivot from production-oriented agricultural research toward environmental sustainability and ecological resilience.

Moving from sector-specific agricultural funding toward cross-cutting environmental and biodiversity programmes, signalling Denmark's strategic prioritisation of ecological resilience in its research funding.

How they like to work

Innovationsfonden never coordinates — all 31 projects are as participant, reflecting its role as a national funding agency that joins ERA-NET consortia rather than leading them. With 230 unique partners across 46 countries, they operate as a reliable co-funding partner in very large consortia (ERA-NETs typically involve 20-40 national funding agencies). Working with them means accessing Danish national funding streams for your transnational research call.

Exceptionally broad network of 230 partners across 46 countries, which is expected for a national funding agency participating in pan-European ERA-NETs. Their geographic reach is essentially global, including cooperation actions with China (SINO-EU-PerMed) and UN SDG-aligned water programmes.

What sets them apart

Innovationsfonden is not a research performer but a national funding body — partnering with them means your ERA-NET or joint programming initiative gains access to Danish co-funding. With 23 ERA-NET Cofund participations, they are one of the most active national funders in H2020 coordination actions. For consortium builders planning new ERA-NETs, Denmark via Innovationsfonden is a proven, reliable co-funding partner across nearly every thematic area.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EN SGplusRegSys
  Largest single grant (EUR 975K) — smart energy systems programme showing Denmark's commitment to regional energy transition funding.
• BlueBio
  Second largest grant (EUR 755K) — blue bioeconomy ERA-NET unlocking aquatic bioresources, reflecting Denmark's strong maritime interests.
• QuantERA II
  EUR 534K for quantum technologies funding — demonstrates reach beyond traditional Danish strengths into frontier physics research.