Villum Experiment

Technical and Scientific Research

For unorthodox research ideas in their early phase - evaluated anonymously.

The Villum Experiment Programme targets those research proposals out of the ordinary that challenge the norm and have the potential to change fundamentally the way we approach important topics. The applicant is anonymous to the review panel.

The programme is announced once a year in open competition. From 2025 the call is conducted in two stages: An expression of interest with a deadline in late January and a full application with a deadline in March. Grants are awarded in August/September.

You can apply for up to DKK 2.5 million, including project supplement. The grant can cover project-related expenses such as salaries, equipment, travel and consumables.

A grant has a duration of up to two years.

It takes approximately six months from application to grant approval or rejection.

In late January the foundation will draw lots among the received expressions of interest, and 350 applicants will be allowed to submit a full application with a deadline in march. This step has been introduced due to the high number of applications to the Experiment programme. By limiting the number of applications we wish to ensure that the research community does not expend too many resources writing full applications, and that the quality of the assessments is kept high.

After we receive your full application it will be sent for anonymous review with three members of our Villum Experiment panel, consisting of 21 internationally recognized scientists with no connection to Danish research. Based on the panel's assessment approx. 50 proposals will be recommended for granting.

The CVs of the applicants recommended for granting will then be screened by our Working Group for Technical and Natural Science to ensure that the applicant's field of expertise is broadly within the area of the proposed project. No applicant has until now been disqualified by the CV screening.

At their meeting in August/September, the Board of Villum Foundation makes the final grant decision.

The applicants are anonymous to the review panel to sharpen the focus on the research idea and to allow researchers to think freely in relation to their past merits.

The members of the review panel are asked to emphasise ideas perceived as potential real breakthroughs with high-risk/high-reward. Each member has the option of awarding a single decisve vote for a proposal they find to be really out of the ordinary. Proposals with a decisive vote will get the highest priority for granting by the board.

As a recipient of a Villum Experiment Programme grant, you will get the opportunity to participate in an annual meeting dedicated to Villum Experiment as well as networking activities with other Villum Fellows.