Insider Brief

• The Novo Nordisk Foundation launched the “Challenge Programme 2025 – The NNF Grand AI Challenge.”
• The challenge is focused on using AI to create solutions for critical issues in healthcare, sustainability and the life sciences.
• Grants range from DKK 30 million to DKK 60 million for projects lasting six years.

Novo Nordisk Foundation just announced the launch of the “Challenge Programme 2025 – The NNF Grand AI Challenge.” This initiative aims to harness the power of AI in pioneering solutions for critical issues in healthcare, sustainability, and the life sciences.

Starting from April 9 and closing on October 9, 2024, the foundation invites top researchers to apply for this program, which seeks to foster innovative research by leveraging Denmark’s leading-edge capabilities in AI. The program will announce its Stage 1 results in December 2024, followed by Stage 2 in June 2025, marking key milestones in its quest to redefine the potential of AI in scientific discovery and societal advancement.

With a focus on the grand AI challenge, the 2025 research theme encourages proposals that can significantly impact health care, drug discovery, environmental sustainability and beyond. This includes, but is not limited to, advancements in healthcare technologies, the development of sustainable materials, and the exploration of new frontiers in cybersecurity and quantum computing.

Key to this initiative is the use of “Gefion,” Denmark’s new supercomputer powered by NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs. Expected to be operational by early 2025, Gefion will provide the computational horsepower necessary for large-scale AI models that could revolutionize fields from climate science to personalized healthcare.

The Challenge Programme is designed to support teams led by exceptional research leaders, comprising 2-4 research groups, with the programme leader based at a Danish university or other non-profit research institutions. It offers a rare opportunity for interdisciplinary collaboration, with the possibility of integrating industry partnerships, albeit with funding exclusively allocated to academic institutions.

With grants ranging from DKK 30 million to DKK 60 million for projects lasting six years, the programme underscores the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s commitment to investing in research that promises long-term benefits for society. This funding is aimed at enabling scientists to delve deeper into complex challenges, fostering synergies among researchers, and propelling Denmark to the forefront of AI research.

The application process, detailed on the foundation’s website, is a two-stage process, including an initial expression of interest and a comprehensive project proposal. This meticulous procedure ensures that only the most promising and impactful projects receive the green light.