DKK 62 million (EUR 8.4 million) for high-risk brain research
The 32 projects are innovative and experimental and have the potential to transform our understanding of an important research field. The grants were awarded by the Lundbeck Foundation, which, for the fifth year running, is funding bold projects in neuroscience.
The 32 researchers awarded the Lundbeck Foundation Experiment 2023 grants are at different stages of their career, ranging from postdoctoral to professorial level. They have now been given the chance to put their boldest projects to the test.
‘Once again in 2023, LF Experiment was our most popular funding opportunity. We’re confident that the anonymous procedure and grant size serve to attract researchers at all levels. We also see this as indicative of the large number of innovative researchers in different parts of Denmark who are dedicated to putting their unorthodox scientific ideas to the test,’ says Anette Høye, Senior Scientific Programme Manager at the Lundbeck Foundation.
No risk, no reward
We see this as indicative of the large number of innovative researchers in different parts of Denmark who are dedicated to putting their unorthodox scientific ideas to the test
All of the projects are within neuroscience or related research fields that could benefit brain research. They have the potential to break new ground in their field even if the original research aim changes along the way. The researchers face a tall challenge, but they all embark on their projects with a ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained’ mindset.
‘We know from funded projects in previous years that the 2-year Experiment grants make it possible for researchers to put their innovative ideas to the test, although inevitably their hypotheses are often disproved. But if a project does succeed, it may pave the way for promising new projects and a larger grant application. To that end, we’re delighted to continue to award grants to these extraordinary projects, which are a pleasure to follow,’ says Peter Thostrup, Scientific Programme Director, who heads up the Lundbeck Foundation’s competitive funding programmes.
The Lundbeck Foundation received a total of 216 applications for LF Experiments in 2023, 32 of which were granted, bringing the total awarded to DKK 62.8 million (EUR 8.4 million). The average grant is worth DKK 2 million, which is disbursed over a 2-year period.
