24 early-career health science researchers from Denmark and abroad receive DKK 70 million to boost their research career.
The brain and clinical practice are the focus of the Lundbeck Foundation’s 2026 postdoc and ECCS research grants. The grants support outstanding young researchers who are pursuing projects of high academic quality in neuroscience or clinical research – with a clear international focus.
The grants fall into two categories: Postdocs, who are expected to contribute to the development of neuroscience, and Early-Career Clinician Scientists (ECCS) aimed at young doctors of any clinical specialization, who wishes to conduct research in parallel with their specialist training.
A strong international perspective is part of the programme that allows foreign researchers to apply for funding to conduct research at a Danish university or hospital, and for Danish researchers to carry out all or part of a project at an academic institution abroad.
This year’s grants are awarded 24 researchers. All applications have been assessed by the Lundbeck Foundation's Talent Panel consisting of 15 leading researchers from various European countries.
This year is no exception, as 11 researchers are international and moving to Denmark, whereas 9 are Danish-based researchers moving to a research institution abroad. The aim is to support and develop the next generation of researchers at Danish universities and hospitals.
“You need to be willing to seek opportunities for learning and development, and move to where the exciting challenges are, possibly even explore new areas outside your current field”, says Anette Høye, Senior Scientific Project Manager at the Lundbeck Foundation.
The ECCS grant makes it possible for doctors with a PhD to continue their research while they are training to become specialists.
“We receive positive feedback from these young doctors; by doing research and clinical work, they experience fruitful cross-pollination that improves both the clinical work and informs their work in the lab” says Peter Thostrup, Scientific Programme Director and responsible for the Foundation’s open programmes.
Below you can meet each of the 24 researchers and read more about their projects.
Postdocs and ECCS Grants 2026
Postdocs
20 Postdocs distributed between 10 men and 10 women, totalling DKK 60 million. An LF Postdoc grant is paid out over a period of three years and covers the recipient’s salary and funding for their research.
All grants focus on brain research and span projects from basic neuroscience to neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. They also focus on psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.
Early-Career Clinician Scientists
4 ECCS distributed between one man and three women, totalling DKK 10 million. An Early-Career Clinician Scientist grant is typically paid out over five years and covers the recipient’s salary and funding for their research.
The grants are awarded across a wide range of clinical research fields; from paediatrics and anaesthesiology to oncology, psychiatry, and diagnostic radiology.
