Danish Research Foundation was established in 1992 with the pioneering aim to establish and operate a private center for clinical research and the naturally related basic research.

It was the founder’s – Dr. Claus Christiansen – vision that the center via a profitable clinical research activity should be developed into a desirable and attractive work place for talented young graduates that within a highly professional level of expertise could develop and utilize their research ambitions.

We are proud to state that this vision has come true.

There is no Danish company that in such a large scale has supported scientists with their medical doctoral thesis and/or PhD theses and through cooperation with Danish universities we have been able to support more than 125 candidates, and furthermore being involved in publication of a significant number of frequently cited scientific papers.

In parallel with our scientific activities The Foundation has over the last years been able to increase our support to outstanding cultural activities.

After changes in ownership-related structures behind the Foundation’s business activity we are now concentrated on various wholly or partly owned companies, all of which are characterized by having a high professional level of research.

The Board of Trustees believe and expect that these investments will continue to strengthen and consolidate the capital of the Danish Research Foundation. The Foundation will thus be able to continue and expand our support for the Danish elitist research as well as maintaining the support for charitable and cultural purposes that has been built up in recent years.

HISTORY AND BACKGROUND

Danish Research Foundation has distributed grants and support to research, art and culture and common charity for more than 20 years.

Danish Research Foundation was founded in 1992 by Dr. Claus Christiansen, MD

The economic base for the Foundation was originally “Center for Clinical and Basic Research” A/S (CCBR). In 1992, the Foundation established the first research clinic for undertaking clinical research for the pharmaceutical industry. In 2013 CCBR was finally sold and in the following years, the Foundation has been focusing its business affairs on other projects and businesses within the life science area. 

Board of Directors:

Claus Christiansen (Chairman)

Bente Juel Riis (Director)

Henrik Bernt Sanders

Lucas Haberkorn

Anne Vig

Søs Marie Serup

Senior advisor:
Henning Kruse Petersen

Administration:
Andreas Zinck Henningsen

The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications.

The foundation aims to distribute funds primarily for culture and research purposes.
Support for research purposes is primarily provided in the form of support for Ph.D. schools in collaboration with the leading Danish universities. Furthermore, the foundation aims to establish and operate nonprofit research centers to conduct clinical studies of the highest quality and to conduct research by the best Danish and international researchers in medical science, all in accordance with applicable ethical health regulations. The results of such studies and research are to be allocated to other research centers, universities, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. The foundation's primary purpose here is to initiate research projects within the aforementioned area and thus serve as an "incubator" for new research projects/results that can be allocated to third parties.

Since 2005, the Danish Research Foundation's business activities and overall condition have allowed the Board of Directors to allocate grants. Since then, the Foundation has distributed over 250 million DKK. These distributions fall into three categories: life sciences and natural sciences research, art and culture, and miscellaneous projects.