Danish Parliament Agrees on Multi-Year multi-Billion-Krone Research Policy

The government and a broad majority in the Folketing have reached agreements that strengthen research in security, health, and climate, while creating better conditions for scientific breakthroughs and entrepreneurship. Ten of the Parliaments 12 parties stand behind the agreement. In Innovation District Copenhagen the agreement is seen as a major step forward for both academic partners and the many start-ups in the area. 

Massive funding for high-risk research and entrepreneurship

An 1,8 billion DKK (240 mio Eur) pool is allocated to innovation and knowledge-based entrepreneurship. This is of huge importance to the more than 500 start-up companies in the district. A further 2 billion DKK ( 267,8 million Eur) allocated to high-risk fundamental research gives better planning possibilities to the districts’ academic partners. And this is just a small part of the agreement.

Critical technologies, green transition, and health

Under the 2026 Finance Act, more than DKK 19 billion will be allocated to both long-term and strategic investments in research and innovation for the period 2026–2029. This includes more than DKK 15 billion for research into critical technologies and defence technology to strengthen Denmark’s security, as well as research in green transition, health, and life sciences.

Cutting edge research

In addition, the parties will prioritise more free research and innovation funds for universities. This will allow greater focus on entrepreneurship and high-risk, cutting-edge research that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs in the future. For example within quantum technology and artificial intelligence, both of which are positions of strength in Innovation District Copenhagen.

Facts

The agreements mean that, under the 2026 Finance Act, more than DKK 19 billion will be allocated to long-term, strategic investments in research and innovation for 2026–2029, including:

• DKK 3.8 billion for free research and innovation funds
• DKK 2 billion for high-risk, cutting-edge research
• DKK 1.8 billion for more innovation and knowledge-based entrepreneurship
• DKK 6.9 billion for security, critical technologies, and defence research
• DKK 6 billion for research in climate and environment
• DKK 3 billion for research in health and life sciences

In addition, the following priorities apply in 2026:

• DKK 180 million to strengthen social cohesion
• DKK 109 million to enhance Denmark’s international engagement and cooperation in research and innovation
• DKK 46 million to increase the visibility of research, build trust in knowledge, and strengthen academic freedom