Novo Nordisk Foundation (and Novo Nordisk Inc.’s corporate giving) prioritizes funding biomedical and clinical research—especially diabetes, obesity, metabolic and cardiovascular disease—while also supporting sustainability, food security, humanitarian relief, and the arts. Its U.S. corporate programs focus on place-based community health and chronic disease prevention for vulnerable populations and on healthcare professional education; the Denmark-based foundation funds large international research consortia and major life‑sciences initiatives. Grants range from modest education awards to very large multi‑million research investments, and sponsorships/marketing partnerships are handled separately.
Annual Giving$1.2B(2021)
Focus Areas
Diabetes and Obesity Clinical Research and Treatment EducationMetabolic and Cardiovascular Disease Research (including MASH)Healthcare Professional Continuing Medical Education (accredited HCP/IME programs)Place-based Chronic Disease Prevention & Patient Support in U.S. Vulnerable CommunitiesLarge-scale Life Sciences Research Consortia and Infrastructure FundingSustainability, Food Security and Arts/Art History Initiatives
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Giving Approach
Mix of programmatic corporate giving (place‑based multi-year awards in the U.S., typically $500k–$3M), education grants processed via an online Grants Management System with rolling submissions (45+ days lead time), invite-only corporate sponsorships, and separate Denmark-based foundation grants that fund very large, multi‑million research consortia internationally.
How to approach this funder
Submit HCP/IME and community grant requests through Novo Nordisk’s Grants Management System; there are no public fixed deadlines but requests should be filed at least 45 days before the activity or decision date. For U.S. community health funding, emphasize place‑based, measurable chronic‑disease prevention outcomes and partnerships serving vulnerable populations. Corporate sponsorships are typically not open to unsolicited proposals; large international research proposals are generally routed through the Novo Nordisk Foundation (Denmark) and often target consortia or university-based projects.
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Novo Nordisk Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intake
HCP (Healthcare Professional) Education — Novo Nordisk Grants Management System
healthcare professional educationclinical/therapeutic education related to Novo Nordisk therapy areas (e.g., diabetes, obesity)
Who can apply: Applicants must register in the Novo Nordisk Grants Management System; align with Novo Nordisk goals and therapy area interests. Individual recipients are ineligible.
Deadline: No fixed public deadlines specified; requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to activity start date.
disaster reliefemergency responsecommunity health+1 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations involved in disaster relief and recovery aligned with Novo Nordisk’s goals and guidelines; individuals and political organizations are ineligible.
Deadline: No fixed public application deadlines; emergency/relief requests should be submitted at the earliest feasible time and at least 45 days prior to planned activity when applicable (standard rule).
patient supportpatient educationchronic disease management+1 more
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and patient-focused groups whose camp programs align with Novo Nordisk’s goal to reduce the burden of chronic disease. Individual recipients are ineligible.
Deadline: No public fixed deadlines specified; requests must be submitted at least 45 days before activity start.
independent medical educationdiabetesobesity+3 more
Who can apply: Accredited IME/CME providers and organizations whose proposed educational activities align with Novo Nordisk priorities and comply with industry and Novo Nordisk guidelines. Individuals and political organizations are ineligible.
Deadline: No fixed public application deadlines specified; requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to activity start date.
Novo Nordisk Inc. Corporate Giving — Community and Patient Health / Place-based Grants (U.S.)
chronic disease prevention and managementdiabetesobesity+8 more
Who can apply: Organizations must share Novo Nordisk's goal to reduce the burden of chronic diseases for patients. Ineligible: individuals, political organizations, organizations that discriminate on protected bases, requests submitted <45 days prior to activity start, previous recipients who failed required reconciliations or adherence to industry guidelines.
Deadline: No fixed public deadlines specified in source; requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to activity start date.
Independent Medical Education (IME) Funding — Novo Nordisk Grants Management System
independent medical educationclinical education in Novo Nordisk therapy areas (e.g., diabetes, obesity)
Who can apply: Applicants must register in the Novo Nordisk Grants Management System and meet Novo Nordisk standards for IME funding; individual recipients are ineligible.
Deadline: No fixed public deadlines specified; requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to activity start date.
Who can apply: Organizations that provide HCP education and that align with Novo Nordisk’s goals and therapy area focus. Novo Nordisk does not fund individuals or political organizations; must meet internal compliance and industry guidelines.
Deadline: No fixed public application deadlines specified; requests must be submitted at least 45 days prior to activity start date.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.