Apply for Dr Abildgaard Fellowships

About LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowships
With the LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowships program we aim to support talented, emerging research leaders with ambitions to establish or expand an independent research group at a Danish institution, and to pursue novel and important research questions within skin and skin diseases.
Grants of DKK 12 million are awarded for a five-year period.
For detailed information on eligibility criteria, please refer to the application guide below.
The LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowship program is thematic. In 2024, applicants can apply within one of two research themes:
- Advanced Therapeutics Research in Skin Disease
- Systems Medicine in Dermatology
We expect to award up to four fellowships in 2024, with two fellowships available for each theme.
Research themes 2024
Advanced Therapeutics Research in Skin Diseases
This theme encompasses advanced research towards a better understanding of how to best treat, rectify, and potentially cure skin diseases. It includes research in skin genetics, epigenetics, gene therapy, cell therapy, stem cells, and the entire ‘omics’ field, including single cell sequencing and spatial transcriptomics. It covers the whole spectrum from basic understanding of mechanistic aspects, across functional in-vitro or in-vivo studies, to proof-of-principle implementations. It may also include elements from overlapping fields like technology development, bioinformatics, epidemiology, or others, if they facilitate an improved understanding of the proposed research topic.
Systems Medicine in Dermatology
This theme covers all relevant dimensions relating to Prediction, Prevention, Personalization, and Participation – also known as ‘P4’ medicine – within skin research. It is cross-disciplinary in nature and includes research utilizing multiple types of data, e.g., biochemical data, genetic data, diagnostic data, treatment outcome data, comorbidity data, socio-economic data, or life-style data to create relevant insights at the individual level and thus ultimately help patients maintain the best possible skin health. If relevant, and if it facilitates improved understanding of the proposed research topic, elements from other research fields may also be incorporated.
How to apply
The LEO Foundation Dr Abildgaard Fellowships program is announced once a year in open competition.
In 2024 the application deadline is 17 April (16:00 CEST).
Please read the application guide below for the full call text and further information about the eligibility criteria, evaluation process, and requirements for the content of the application.

Application deadlines
Application deadlines for all of our grant programs are listed below. Calls are announced on an ongoing basis.
Grant | Opens | Deadline | ||
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Serendipity grants 2024 |
14 May 2024 | 25 Jun 2024 | Not open | |
For novel and unexpected, also known as serendipitous, discoveries made by current LEO Foundation Grants of up to DKK 4 million are awarded for a five-year period. Application guidelines will be made available before next call opens. DEADLINE: 25 June 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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Dr Abildgaard Fellowships 2024 |
01 Feb 2024 | 17 Apr 2024 | Not open | |
For talented, emerging research leaders with ambitions to establish or expand an independent research group at a Danish institution, and to pursue novel and important research questions within skin and skin diseases. Grants of DKK 12 million are awarded for a five-year period. DEADLINE: 17 April 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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Research grants in open competition 2024 – round 1 |
20 Nov 2023 | 08 Jan 2024 | Apply now | |
To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 8 January 2024 (16:00 CET) |
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Research grants in open competition 2024 – round 2 |
19 Feb 2024 | 02 Apr 2024 | Not open | |
To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 2 April 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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Research grants in open competition 2024 – round 3 |
01 Aug 2024 | 12 Sep 2024 | Not open | |
To support the best dermatology research projects worldwide. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 12 September 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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Education and awareness grants 2024 – round 1 |
27 Nov 2023 | 15 Jan 2024 | Apply now | |
To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 15 January 2024 (16:00 CET) |
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Education and awareness grants 2024 – round 2 |
27 Feb 2024 | 09 Apr 2024 | Not open | |
To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 9 April 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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Education and awareness grants 2024 – round 3 |
20 Aug 2024 | 01 Oct 2024 | Not open | |
To strengthen the pipeline of future researchers within the fields of medicine, chemistry, and pharmacy, and to raise awareness about science, including skin and skin diseases. It is important that the applicant carefully reads the application guide before initiating the application process, as this document contains the complete call as well as detailed instructions for the application process. DEADLINE: 1 October 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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LEO Foundation Award 2024 – Region Americas |
21 Nov 2023 | 09 Jan 2024 | Apply now | |
The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers. Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000. DEADLINE for self-nomination: 9 January 2024 (16:00 CET) |
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LEO Foundation Award 2024 – Region EMEA |
20 Feb 2024 | 02 Apr 2024 | Not open | |
The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers. Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000. DEADLINE for self-nomination: 2 April 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
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LEO Foundation Award 2024 – Region Asia-Pacific |
16 May 2024 | 27 Jun 2024 | Not open | |
The LEO Foundation Award was born out of the aim of advancing the understanding and treatment of skin diseases and strengthening the pipeline of excellent dermatology researchers. It recognizes promising young talents and hopefully provides a boost to their future careers. Three awards are made each year, one in each of the regions: Americas, EMEA (Europe, Middle East, Africa) and Asia-Pacific. Each award is worth USD 100,000. DEADLINE for self-nomination: 27 June 2024 (16:00 CEST) |
About Dr Abildgaard

The LEO Foundation was established in 1984 by Dr.h.c. Knud E. Abildgaard, who at the time was the owner of LEO Pharma.
Please contact the grant team for further information
Anne-Marie is Chief Scientific Officer at the LEO Foundation and responsible for the Foundation’s grant activities.
Anne-Marie’s background includes:
- Novo Nordisk Foundation, Director of Strategic Partnerships
- Lundbeck Foundation, various positions including Director of Grants
- Statens Serum Institut, Senior Researcher
- The Bartholin Institute, Copenhagen University Hospital, Postdoc
Anne-Marie holds a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree as well as a PhD in tumour immunology – both from the University of Copenhagen.
Other positions
- Museum of Natural History, Oslo, Chair of the Board, 2022-
- Danish Academy of Technical Sciences, Member of the praesidium
- Dagmar Marshall’s Foundation, Board member
- University of Oslo, Board member (2013-2021)
Joined the LEO Foundation in 2022.
+45 27 38 60 59
Lars is responsible for coordinating the Foundation’s grants and handles scientific and administrative matters relating to the Foundation’s donations. He also works on further developing the philanthropic area.
Lars has a scientific background having worked in academic research for 16 years on projects ranging from molecular mechanisms in migraine over COPD to sleep disorders and osteoporosis.
Lars holds an MSc in human biology and a PhD in neuroscience, both from University of Copenhagen.
Joined the Foundation in 2017.
+45 30 46 42 91
lars.kruse@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn
Signe is responsible for various areas related to the Foundation’s grants, both in terms of guidelines for applications, review processes and measuring impact. She is also involved in further developing the philanthropic area with new grant making instruments.
Signe has extensive experience in administration and grants. She has previously worked as Senior Grant Manager at the Novo Nordisk Foundation, as Administrative Coordinator at DTU Health Technology and as Project Manager at Innovation Fund Denmark.
Signe holds a Master of Arts (MA) in Danish Language and Literature from University of Copenhagen.
Joined the Foundation in 2022
+45 53 70 66 18
signe.holm@leo-foundation.org
LinkedIn