SPOT Nordic at the PAND Spring Conference 2026: What counts in scientific funding?

On March 13–14, the PhD Network Denmark (PAND) organized the Spring Conference & General Assembly 2026 under the theme “From grant application to a successful project”, bringing together PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and key stakeholders from Denmark’s research and funding ecosystem.

PAND, the national association of PhD students in Denmark and a member of Eurodoc, currently includes Portuguese researcher Sandra Carapeto as Board Counsellor, reflecting her experience from her previous term as co-chair of the association. Sandra Carapeto is also a Board Member of SPOT Nordic and a researcher at the University of Copenhagen, where she works in the field of avian influenza epidemiological modelling.

SPOT Nordic participated in the panel “What counts?” through Pedro Carvalho, Board Member, who joined as a speaker. Currently Head of Section at the Department of Environmental Science at Aarhus University, Pedro leads research activities, coordinates scientific teams, and contributes to strategic development in environmental sciences, also bringing relevant experience as a grant evaluator.

What counts in a funding application?

The discussion focused on a key question: what determines the success of a funding application?

Four main points were highlighted:

• Clarity and structure from the outset, even in smaller-scale grants

• Alignment with evaluation criteria, directly addressing what is requested

• A progressive trajectory, often starting with mobility grants

• Fit to the funding instrument, ensuring coherence with the programme’s objectives

A progressive funding ecosystem

The panel brought together different stakeholders, offering an integrated view of how funding is designed, evaluated, and awarded.

Complementary perspectives were shared between private foundations and public funding instruments. In this context, SPOT Nordic highlighted its role as a non-profit organization focused on mobility, ecosystem connection, and supporting early-career researchers, particularly through the Nordic Scholarship.

Other funding organizations and instruments

The panel also included funding bodies such as the Novo Nordisk Foundation and the Carlsberg Foundation, which presented highly competitive programmes focused on postdoctoral fellowships and support for the transition to scientific independence. Meanwhile, the Independent Research Fund Denmark highlighted public instruments aimed at independent research, with rigorous evaluation processes based on peer review and scientific excellence criteria.

These examples illustrate the diversity of opportunities available throughout a scientific career, from early-stage funding to larger-scale projects.

Conclusion

The key message is clear: scientific funding is a progressive process, where understanding criteria, processes, and positioning from early stages can make a significant difference. SPOT Nordic’s participation in the PAND Spring Conference reinforces its role in promoting greater transparency and access to the funding ecosystem, contributing to researcher development and strengthening ties between Portugal and the Nordic countries.