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Innovation Fund Denmark adopts first Multi Annual Investment Plan for international programmes

The innovation fund's board has adopted a new international strategy and a multi annual strategic investment plan for international cooperation. The plan will guide the selection of the international programs the Fund engages in and ensure increased transparency for and dialogue with the Fund's stakeholders.

 

International cooperation is of particular interest for a small country like Denmark. Global cooperation, networks and knowledge are essential for Danish researchers, companies and entrepreneurs to develop ground-breaking innovative solutions that the world needs and that create value for Denmark. The Innovation Fund's participation in international programs largely helps to support this.

 

With a new multi annual investment plan for international programmes, the Fund sets a strategic direction for international engagement. The multi annual investment plan is based on the foundation's International Strategy 2022-2025 and reflects the foundation's desire to strengthen the opportunity for Danish researchers, companies and entrepreneurs to achieve international success and develop new knowledge in collaboration with the best international researchers and knowledge- heavy companies.

A stable and balanced commitment

The multi annual investment plan sets the framework for the fund's international engagement, including the budget the Fund expects to be able to set aside for international program collaboration.

The fund's selection of programs and allocation of funds to programs fulfills the requirements for, among other things, geographical and thematic coverage as well as applicant types, which the fund's legislative framework prescribes (Danmarks Innovationsfond Act and the Finance Act).

This means that Innovation Fund Denmark ensures an international commitment with a global aim, a strong focus on green transition, but also a commitment to relevant programs within health and new technologies. The prioritization also ensures Danish participation in programs that are particularly relevant to Danish universities, but also programs that are attractive to other public institutions as well as large and small companies.

With the multi annual investment plan, Innovation Fund Denmark will continue to participate in the overall international programs under the EU's Horizon Europe framework program for research and innovation (incl. Eurostars), bilateral collaborations with the USA, India and China, EUREKA and Nordic programs. The main emphasis is on the EU's Horizon Europe programme. As the four overall programs vary in terms of geographical and thematic coverage as well as applicant types, the Innovation Fund's participation constitutes a balanced commitment on several key parameters.

The innovation fund wants a strong international commitment and will strive to have a stable budget allocation of DKK 200 million. DKK annually for international programmes. Based on the annual budget of DKK 200 million. DKK, with the multi-year investment plan, a relative distribution of the budget of approx. 70-75 percent to Horizon Europe, 10-15 percent. for bilateral cooperation, 10-15 per cent. two EUREKA and 5 per cent. for Nordic programmes.

Further information, including about the specific programs and partnerships that Innovation Fund Denmark will participate in, appears from the link to the multi-year investment plan for international programs at the bottom of the page.

A transparent and flexible process

The current multi annual investment plan for international programs is the Innovation Fund's first of its kind. The multi-year investment plan will be revised annually by the foundation's board of directors following dialogue with the foundation's stakeholders, so that accumulated experience, new initiatives and, not least, the foundation's annual financial law grant can be taken into account.

The plan also ensures increased transparency for the fund's stakeholders. This will be done with the publication of the first multi-year investment plan and in the coming years through consultations with key players prior to the annual discussions in the board. Innovation Fund Denmark attaches great importance to transparent and inclusive processes and will continue to work on strengthening this approach in the future.

Read Innovation Fund Denmark's new multi-year investment plan for international programs here.