Knowledge for a better future
We support basic research
Since 1876, the Carlsberg Foundation has supported basic research within the natural sciences, humanities and social sciences. The majority of our grants are awarded in free competition following open calls. Our instruments are aimed at researchers with connection to the Danish research environment at all career stages. We also distribute funds for science communication through open calls.
Read about our research instruments
Purpose and history
The Carlsberg Foundation is one of the world's oldest industrial foundations - founded in 1876 by brewer J.C. Jacobsen.
Since then, the Carlsberg Foundation's primary purpose has been to ensure the long-term, committed ownership of Carlsberg A/S and to distribute funds for philanthropic purposes, including especially for Danish basic research.
With the establishment of the Carlsberg Foundation, J.C. Jacobsen allowed a large part of the profits from his brewery Carlsberg to benefit the public. This was to be done through support for Danish basic research, which he was strongly fascinated by and convinced would provide long-term value to society.
Together with the foundations Ny Carlsbergfondet and Tuborgfondet, the two museums Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek and Frederiksborg · Museum of National History as well as Carlsberg Laboratory and Carlsberg A/S, the Carlsberg Foundation today constitutes the Carlsberg family.
Grants 2024
In 2024, the Carlsberg Foundation granted funding totalling DKK 956 million. The funding was made up as follows:
The Carlsberg Research Laboratory (department A)
74
DKK million
Support for basic research (department B)
740
DKK million
Frederiksborg • Museum of National History (department C)
31
DKK million
The Tuborg Foundation (department D)
111
DKK million
Nearly DKK 1 billion awarded in 2024
In total, the Carlsberg Foundation awarded DKK 956 million for non-profit purposes in 2024. Of this amount, DKK 740 million went to basic research within the natural sciences, social sciences, and humanities. A dividend from shares in Carlsberg A/S of DKK 711 million, along with a return of DKK 1.4 billion from the foundation’s free investments, also means that the foundation can set a historically high grant budget of DKK 700 million for basic scientific purposes through 2026.
Annual Report 2024 (in Danish only)
Newsletter
Are you a researcher and interested in news related to our calls and grants? Or do you want to keep up with news about the foundation? Then sign up for one of our newsletters here.