Funding opportunity: Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science Opens Call for 2025 Global Innovation Network Programme (GINP) Deadline 18 June, 2025

Funding opportunity: The Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science has officially opened the call for applications for the 2025 Global Innovation Network Programme (GINP), inviting eligible institutions in Denmark to form strategic international partnerships that catalyze innovation and research excellence. This competitive grant scheme seeks to bolster Denmark’s research and innovation ecosystem through global collaboration in science, technology, and knowledge-based innovation.

Purpose of the GINP Programme

The GINP programme is designed to enhance international cooperation by facilitating networking activities that contribute to solving pressing societal and global challenges. The program allows Danish stakeholders to either initiate new networks or strengthen existing collaborations with international partners. Ultimately, the programme aims to provide long-term value to Denmark’s science and innovation system while extending its global reach.

Whether building relationships from scratch or deepening existing ties, applications must demonstrate how the proposed network adds value—be it through new research initiatives, capacity-building activities, or pathways to larger funding sources like Horizon Europe or Eureka.

Who Can Apply?

Applications are open exclusively to specific Danish institutions, including:

• Research and Technology Organisations (RTOs)

• National Cluster Organisations

• University departments (institutes)

• Public hospitals with research activities

• Other higher education institutions under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

• Government-funded research institutions under other ministries

Each eligible applicant may submit only one application as the main applicant. A letter of endorsement from senior management is required to validate the strategic importance of the application to the institution.

International Collaboration Requirement

Each project must involve at least one international partner from a non-EU/EEA country. These partners should be credible institutions or organizations within their national science and innovation systems—examples include universities, research centers, public authorities, and private companies with substantial R&D activities.

Countries with strong bilateral agreements and existing innovation collaboration frameworks—such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Israel, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, South Africa, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA—are especially prioritized in the selection process.

Types of Supported Activities

The GINP grant supports a range of activities centered on international networking, including:

• Joint workshops, seminars, and conferences

• Delegation visits

• Summer and winter schools

• Long-term researcher stays (14–28 days)

These activities must aim to build or enhance networks that are sustainable, impactful, and strategically anchored within the participating institutions. A single event or isolated mobility opportunity is not sufficient. The network must result in a clearly outlined plan for long-term collaboration and potentially joint applications for follow-up funding.

Funding and Budget

The total allocated budget for the 2025 GINP call is approximately DKK 14.3 million (including overhead). Each project may apply for up to DKK 750,000 excluding overhead. Costs must directly relate to networking efforts and may include:

• Travel and accommodation expenses

• Venue rental for meetings and events

• External consultancy or dissemination services (up to 25% of total budget)

Costs such as salaries, equipment purchases, or activities in EU/EEA countries are not eligible. Co-financing by the applicant and partners, whether in-kind or financial, is encouraged and may enhance the competitiveness of an application.

Application Deadline and Process

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Danish E-grant platform no later than June 18, 2025, at 12:00 noon CEST. Submissions must be in English and include the following mandatory appendices:

1. Budget (template required)

2. Activity Plan (template required)

3. Letter of Endorsement from senior management

4. Letter of Commitment from each partner

5. CVs of the main applicants and long-stay participants (maximum 2 pages)

6. Declaration of de minimis aid for private company partners (if applicable)

Templates and submission instructions can be accessed via the official GINP call webpage.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed by the GINP Assessment Committee and scored based on:

• Quality, relevance, and feasibility: The clarity of purpose, strategic fit, and alignment with national priorities (e.g. green transition, life sciences, digital innovation).

• Partner complementarity: The relevance and commitment of the international partners involved.

• Impact and sustainability: The expected long-term outcomes, including knowledge dissemination and continued collaboration.

In cases where multiple proposals receive identical scores, priority is given to applications involving partners from prioritized countries, cross-sectoral Danish consortia, and those demonstrating private sector engagement and co-financing.

Results and Contact

Successful applicants will be notified no later than November 18, 2025. The results will also be published on the Ministry’s website.

For more information, applicants are encouraged to contact:

• Winnie H. Laugø – Assistant Principal Clerk
  📧 [email protected]
  📞 +45 7231 8203