Independent basic research requires time for in-depth inquiry, academic freedom and the courage to ask open-ended questions where the answer is not known in advance. This is why the Carlsberg Foundation awards funding to research based on the researchers’ own scientific questions and project ideas.

With Autumn Call 2026, the Foundation invites applications from researchers at all career stages who wish to pursue basic research questions with the potential to push the boundaries of what we know and what we may be able to achieve in the future. Particular emphasis is placed on supporting research ideas of high scientific quality and long-term value to society.

Autumn Call 2026 offers a broad range of funding instruments aimed at both early-career researchers at postdoctoral level and established researchers at professor level. Funding is awarded in open competition within the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences, with no further thematic restrictions.

The deadline for submitting applications is 1 September 2026.

Go to the individual funding instruments 

Changes since last year

For many years, the Carlsberg Foundation’s deadline for submitting research funding applications has been 1 October. From this year onwards, the deadline will be 1 September.

Another change concerns the Reintegration Fellowships funding instrument. As announced in connection with last year’s Autumn Call, Reintegration Fellowships will be offered for the final time as a separate funding instrument under Autumn Call 2026. From 2027, postdoctoral fellowships for research stays abroad can only be applied for as an integrated part of the Internationalisation Fellowships, which now combine a research stay abroad with a subsequent reintegration period at a Danish research institution.

As part of the changes introduced with Autumn Call 2026, the Carlsberg Foundation has also established expert panels to assess applications submitted to the foundation’s Semper Ardens funding instruments. Four panels have been appointed to assess applications within the areas NAT-PHYS, NAT-LIFE SCIENCE, SOC SCI and HUM. The aim is to ensure the highest possible academic quality in the processing and assessment of applications submitted to the foundation. Read more about the panels under the respective funding instruments.

Participate in a webinar on Autumn Call 2026

If you are considering submitting an application to the Carlsberg Foundation, you can participate in our webinar on Autumn Call 2026. The webinar will provide information about the various funding instruments, guidelines, processing procedures, assessment criteria and more. The webinar will take place on 24 June at 13:00.