Innovation Fund Denmark presents a new multi-year investment plan for international programs

Innovation Fund Denmark presents a new multi-year investment plan for international programmes. The plan sets the direction for the Fund's international engagement in the coming years and reflects both the Board's strategic priorities and an adjustment of the portfolio in light of the demand the Fund has seen in previous application rounds.

A central element of the new plan is a strengthened focus on global collaborations that cut across existing Nordic, European and global frameworks .

The new approach will give Innovation Fund Denmark greater flexibility to participate in global initiatives and promote Danish actors' access to international networks and markets outside the EU.

New collaboration with Japan

As part of the investment plan, Innovation Fund Denmark is participating in a new EUREKA Globalstars initiative with Japan, where DKK 15 million is allocated to Danish participants. Innovation Fund Denmark wants to use the application opportunity to create solutions that are rooted in business and benefit Danish companies. Therefore, it is a requirement that at least one Danish SME participates in order to trigger funds from the Fund.

The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with the Japanese innovation agency NEDO and a number of countries with strong research and innovation environments. In addition to Denmark and Japan, the following countries are participating in the search opportunity: South Korea, Canada, England, Austria, Finland, France, the Netherlands, Belgium, Lithuania, South Africa, Norway, Luxembourg, Israel, Spain, Sweden and Singapore.

The call gives Danish companies and research institutions the opportunity to collaborate with Japanese partners on technology projects within, among other things, AI, robotics, semiconductors, biotechnology, cleantech and advanced materials.

The collaboration will strengthen Danish organizations' access to cutting-edge skills and new knowledge, and open up new export and innovation opportunities in high-tech areas.

Strengthened focus on green transition and European participation

The plan also marks a higher priority for green funds. In recent years, the EU green partnerships have seen more and increasingly strong applications with Danish participation. The fund is therefore increasing its investment in partnerships that support the green transition.

At the same time, the Fund maintains its participation in Chips JU and expands its engagement in the EU's Horizon Europe partnerships, where most programs have active calls until 2027.

In order to create better coherence between national and international initiatives, Innovation Fund Denmark is also coordinating its activities with the Danish development and demonstration programmes. This means, among other things, that the Fund will continue its involvement in the Agroecology partnership, while GUDP will take over the financing of FutureFoodS.

Adjustments in the program portfolio

Due to low application rates, Innovation Fund Denmark is withdrawing from the ERA4Health partnership, which focuses on health-related research. The decision frees up resources for new priorities and is a response to declining Danish participation in previously applied options within the partnership.

Regional strengthening and new opportunities

The multi-year investment plan also includes a strengthened effort in the Nordic cooperation programs, where the Fund expects to increase the budget from DKK 15 million in 2026 to DKK 25 million in 2027 and 2028.

Background:

The multi-year investment plan forms the framework for Innovation Fund Denmark's international engagement and supports the foundation's purpose of promoting Danish participation in international research and innovation collaborations. The plan is updated annually.