Independent Research Fund Denmark

About Independent Research Fund Denmark

DANMARKS FRIE FORSKNINGSFOND (DFF) - Independent Research Fund Denmark invests in the most original ideas and initiatives within Danish research facilitating the pursuit of original research ideas to improve our way of life and welfare. The grants are awarded to research activities based on researchers’ own ideas within all scientific areas and aim to improve the quality and internationalisation of Danish research. In 2024 Independent Research Fund Denmark funded 588 ground-breaking research projects at a total amount of 1.9 billion DKK. The Fund’s grants are offered in free national competition in order to further original researcher-initiated ideas and projects. Scientific quality constitutes the key assessment criterion in the Fund's distribution of means. Independent Research Fund Denmark continually strives to create the best conditions for independent research in Denmark as well as to promote international research collaborations. Independent Research Fund Denmark consists of a board af directors, five research councils (DFF | Humanities, DFF | Natural Sciences, DFF | Social Sciences, DFF | Medical Sciences and DFF | Technology and Production Sciences), and a cross-council committee – a total of 84 permanent members – as well as a number of ad hoc committee members appointed for one year at a time to allocate the politically designated thematic research funds. All members of the fund are recognised and active researchers.