The Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize celebrates scientific discoveries benefitting people and the planet
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Prize recognises outstanding scientific achievements in health and the life sciences. Awarded annually, the Prize celebrates researchers in Europe whose work advances fundamental knowledge and drives innovation with the potential to improve human or planetary health. The Prize is currently awarded in two fields: biomedicine and biotechnology.
Heritage Prizes
The Foundation also awards or funds a number of other prizes, many in collaboration with leading organisations. The Heritage Prizes reflect the Foundation’s long tradition of recognising outstanding contributions to medical science and honouring the legacy of pioneering researchers. Two of these Prizes are awarded in partnership with leading Danish organisations.
Partner Prizes
We partner with leading organisations across Europe to recognise outstanding achievements in diabetes and obesity research. These Prizes highlight the importance of partnerships in advancing knowledge, fostering innovation, and addressing some of the most pressing health challenges worldwide.
The EASD–Novo Nordisk Foundation Diabetes Prize for Excellence recognises outstanding contributions to the understanding of diabetes, its disease mechanisms, or its complications.
The EASO–Novo Nordisk Foundation Obesity Prize for Excellence recognises outstanding research or technological contributions that can improve our understanding of obesity, its causes, complications, prevention, and management.
The Prize is awarded annually to an active scientist from a Nordic country for an outstanding contribution to diabetes research or treatment.
The Flemming Quaade Prize recognises a mid-career researcher who has made an outstanding contribution to obesity research in Denmark.
Latest news
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31 Mar 2026
Leading researcher honoured with Nordic prize for uncovering how gene activity drives type 2 diabetes
19 Mar 2026
Obesity Prize for Excellence awarded to clinical researcher for distinguished and innovative work in obesity and its complications
3 Mar 2026
From genetic inevitability to medical intervention: Francesco Muntoni receives the 2026 Novo Nordisk Prize
2 Mar 2026
He solved a long-standing enigma in biomass science: Vincent Eijsink receives the 2026 Novonesis Biotechnology Prize