How Innovation Fund Denmark invests in new green climate solutions

Enriched Nordic · Found: 2026-03-11 08:06

Innovation Fund Denmark invests in research and innovation projects that can develop the green technologies and solutions needed to transform Denmark into a ...

Source: https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/klima

Funding Details

Funder

Innovation Fund Denmark (Innovationsfonden)

Funding Goal

To invest in high-risk research and innovation projects that develop green technologies and solutions needed to transform Denmark into a sustainable, low-carbon society, covering areas such as energy, agriculture, transport, circular economy, and biodiversity.

Funding Amount

5-40 million DKK per project (Grand Solutions); 700 million DKK total for Innomissions programme; approximately 800 million DKK annual green budget (5.000.000 € – 40.000.000 €)

Deadline

Rolling calls with varying deadlines per programme (Rolling)

How to Apply

Two-phase process: Phase 1 involves submitting a letter of interest (max 600-2,400 characters per section) describing the project concept, goals, methods, and participants. Phase 1 decisions take approximately 10 weeks. Invited applicants then submit a detailed full application in Phase 2, with decisions in about 12 weeks. Total timeline is approximately 9 months. Applications must be submitted in English via the e-grant.dk platform. Evaluation is conducted by committees of international researchers and impact specialists, assessing quality of idea, impact potential, and quality of execution.

Target Region

Denmark (primarily), with international participants possible

Contact

General: kontakt@innofond.dk, Phone: +45 61 90 50 00 (Mon-Thu 9-12, Fri 9:30-12). Grand Solutions: store.projekter@innofond.dk. Headquarters: Europaplads 2, 4th floor, 8000 Aarhus C. Copenhagen Office: Haifagade 3, 2150 Nordhavn. Missions contacts: René Bang Madsen (rene.bang.madsen@innofond.dk), Sidsel Hougaard (sidsel.hougaard@innofond.dk).

Last Checked

2026-03-12 05:40

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be a legal entity (business, research institution, or public organization) — individuals cannot apply directly
• Projects must address a significant societal challenge and demonstrate value creation for Denmark
• Projects should involve end users or buyers willing to implement solutions

Required Documents

• Applications must be submitted in English via e-grant.dk platform
• Phase 1 letter of interest required before full application (max 600-2,400 characters per section)

Constraints

• Grand Solutions project budgets must be between 5-40 million DKK with duration 1-5 years
• Investment agreement must be signed within 60 days of approval, project start within 90 days of signing
• Projects must include all direct costs in budget regardless of funding source

Summary

Innovation Fund Denmark is a Danish government fund that invests in ambitious research and innovation projects addressing major societal challenges, with a strong emphasis on climate and green solutions. The fund allocated approximately 800 million DKK in its peak green budget year and has dedicated 700 million DKK specifically to its four Innomissions partnerships. It operates through seven distinct programmes including Grand Solutions (5-40 million DKK per project), Innomissions, Innobooster, Innoexplorer, and others targeting different scales and types of innovation. The fund's climate strategy centers on four government-defined green research missions: CO2 capture and storage (INNO-CCUS), green fuels for transport and industry (MissionGreenFuels), climate-friendly agriculture (AgriFoodTure), and circular economy for plastics and textiles (CE-PT). These missions bring together researchers, companies, and public institutions in large-scale partnerships. Eligibility is broad in principle — any legal entity in Denmark or abroad can participate in projects — but there is a strong emphasis on Danish-based research institutions and companies, and projects must demonstrate value creation for Danish society. Applications go through a two-phase process (letter of interest followed by full application) and are evaluated by international expert panels. The fund takes a high-risk investment approach and maintains active partnerships with funded projects throughout their duration. The fund runs periodic calls across its programmes with varying deadlines. Current active opportunities include international research collaborations and business PhD programmes, with Grand Solutions operating on a rolling two-phase application cycle taking approximately 9 months from submission to decision.

Historical Context

Innovation Fund Denmark allocated approximately 800 million DKK in 2020, described as the highest grant budget to date in the green area. In that year, the fund received 445 applications totaling 5.2 billion DKK. The four Innomissions partnerships were selected in December 2021 with a total budget of 700 million DKK from the 2021 research reserve agreement. The Innomissions guidelines were last updated in March 2025.

Sources

• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/klima
• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/about-innovation-fund-denmark
• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/programmes
• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/programmes/grand-solutions
• https://innovationsfonden.dk/en/programmes/innomissions

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