VELUX Foundation Current Calls for Proposals

Enriched – · Found: 2026-03-13 16:25

Danish foundation funding research and projects in multiple areas. Maintains open calls including programs related to ocean conservation and combating marine pollution. Applicant base in Denmark, Greenland, and Faroe Islands. Five open calls listed as of March 2026. Contact: info@veluxfonden.dk for specific marine/pollution program details.

Source: https://veluxfonden.dk/en/basic-page/current-calls

Funding Details

Funder

VELUX FONDEN (VELUX Foundation)

Funding Goal

Conservation of Danish sea areas and marine environments through three programmes: (1) Rebuilding ocean and coastal areas with a focus on climate — restoring degraded marine and coastal ecosystems, particularly areas with high carbon absorption potential; (2) Combating marine pollution — addressing pollutants, plastic pollution, wastewater, marine debris; (3) Future climate solutions — CCS/offshore installations and their impact on maritime ecosystems. Supports knowledge development and solutions for marine environment challenges.

Funding Amount

Variable — recent grants range from DKK 525,000 to DKK 9.6 million per project (based on past grants). VELUX awarded DKK 320 million to climate initiatives in 2021.

How to Apply

No calls are currently open for the ocean conservation programme (as of March 2026). The foundation announces calls on its website. Project ideas were accepted in spring 2025 but the foundation is not currently accepting new project ideas. Monitor veluxfonden.dk/en/basic-page/current-calls for future opportunities. Contact: Adam Billing (abi@veluxfonden.dk, +45 24 34 24 67) or Ane-Marie Løvendahl Eskildsen (ale@veluxfonden.dk, +45 24 95 16 31).

Target Region

Primarily Denmark (Danish sea areas — North Sea, Baltic Sea, Danish fjords). International partnerships through IOC-UNESCO and EU Ocean Mission for broader ocean agenda.

Contact

Adam Billing, Senior Adviser: abi@veluxfonden.dk, +45 24 34 24 67. Ane-Marie Løvendahl Eskildsen, Senior Adviser: ale@veluxfonden.dk, +45 24 95 16 31. VELUX FONDEN, Tobaksvejen 10, 2860 Søborg. info@veluxfonden.dk, +45 39 57 09 57

Official Page

https://veluxfonden.dk/en/group/grantarea/environment-and-sustainability-danish-sea-areas

Last Checked

2026-03-15 11:12

Application Checklist

Eligibility

• Applicant must be anchored in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands

Project Scope

• Project must align with one of three ocean programmes: marine restoration, combating pollution, or future climate solutions
• Grantees are encouraged to participate in the Danish Mission Ocean hub and report to UN Ocean Decade
• Evidence of measurable environmental impact and knowledge dissemination expected

Required Documents

• Project idea submission required during call windows (not currently open)

Constraints

• Commercial projects are not eligible; aquaculture and fishing projects are explicitly excluded
• Monitor veluxfonden.dk for new call windows — no calls currently open (March 2026)

Summary

VELUX FONDEN (VELUX Foundation) is a Danish private foundation with a strategic ocean conservation programme running from 2023 to 2030. The foundation is one of Denmark's most significant funders of marine environmental work, focusing on Danish sea areas and their connection to climate and biodiversity. The ocean conservation programme is organized around three thematic priorities: restoring degraded marine and coastal ecosystems with a focus on carbon capture; combating marine pollution including plastics, wastewater, and marine debris; and assessing future climate solutions such as CCS and offshore wind installations and their impact on maritime ecosystems. The programme explicitly identifies plastic pollution as one of the biggest threats to the ocean alongside pollutants, shipping, and fishing. Eligible activities include research projects, knowledge development, ecosystem restoration (e.g., seagrass planting, reef establishment), and practical environmental initiatives. The foundation has funded projects ranging from fjord restoration to marine park establishment. Commercial projects and aquaculture or fishing-related projects are explicitly excluded. Geographically, the programme focuses on Danish waters — North Sea, Baltic Sea, Danish fjords, and coastal areas. The foundation also has international partnerships through IOC-UNESCO and the EU Ocean Mission 'Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030,' encouraging grantees to report results to the UN Ocean Decade. Eligible applicants are primarily organizations anchored in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands. Research institutions, NGOs, and non-profit organizations have received funding. The foundation does not support commercial projects. Funding amounts vary significantly — past grants range from DKK 525,000 to DKK 9.6 million. As of March 2026, no open calls are active in the ocean programme. The foundation announces call windows on its website and accepts project ideas during specific application periods. The foundation also co-established the National Center for Marine Nature Restoration and the Tænketanken Hav (Ocean Institute).

Historical Context

Ocean conservation programme runs 2023-2030. VELUX Foundation established the Tænketanken Hav (Ocean Institute) in 2021. Partnership with IOC-UNESCO for UN Ocean Decade (2021-2030). Co-established the National Center for Marine Nature Restoration with Denmark's Ministry of Environment. Past grants include: Healthy Vejle Fiord 2.0 (DKK 4.0m, 2025), Blue Gold marine environment project (DKK 525,000, 2024), Køge Bay Marine Park (DKK 9.6m, 2022). In 2021, awarded DKK 320 million to climate initiatives jointly with Villum Fonden.

Sources

• https://veluxfonden.dk/en/basic-page/current-calls
• https://veluxfonden.dk/en/group/grantarea/environment-and-sustainability-danish-sea-areas

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