“
The purpose of impact assessment is to monitor the Foundation’s strategic goals, to enable fact-based communication to society and to create new knowledge on the impact of research funding: what works and what does not.
Thomas Alslev Christensen, Senior Vice President, Impact, Novo Nordisk Foundation
”

The Foundation’s activities matter to the public

We have a legal obligation to demonstrate that we are funding activities in accordance with our Articles of Association. We are therefore accountable to our Board of Directors and are responsible to ensure transparency to the general public.

Analysis is pivotal for accountability and for learning

Delivering insight for accountability requires analysis based on extensive and timely data collection. Analysis stimulates thoughts for learning used for improving grant instruments or developing new instruments for improving the allocation of funds. Questions of interest to answer include whether the outcomes of the grant instrument activities meet the objectives set but also whether other unintended or unconsidered outcomes occur.

It is a part of Novo Nordisk Foundation’s strategy to analytics how the Foundation contributes to society

Vision

The Novo Nordisk Foundation’s vision is to contribute significantly to research and development that improves the lives of people and the sustainability of society.

Impact assessment objective

To employ best practice to monitor and assess the contribution of the Foundation’s activities in society to ensure that the Foundation is approaching its vision.

  • Key themes of impact assessment
  • Data architecture
  • Portfolio reporting
  • Advanced analytics
Key themes of impact assessment
To ensure that the Foundation is approaching its vision, we support evidence-informed grant giving through three key themes.
Data architecture
We collect and process information on all activities the Foundation supports to enable analyses of highest international standard.

Data collection

  • From grant recipients: Researchfish®, Foundgood, surveys and other sources
  • External national and international databases
  • Controlling of reporting

Data processing

  • The physical and virtual Data Warehouse
  • Data quality assurance

Data readiness

  • Generate applicable data
  • Make data available to internal (e.g. Deep Dives) and external use
Portfolio reporting
We monitor the portfolio of grants and analyse how the Foundation’s activities contribute to society ensuring the fulfillment of the Foundation’s long-term goals.

Compliance reporting

  • Annual Grant Report
  • Bi-annual Grant Reports
  • Compliance reporting to authorities
  • CSR in Annual Report

Dialogue reports

  • Research Centres (4 centres)
  • Steno Diabetes Centres (5 centres)
  • Challenge Programme (35-50 centres)
  • BII, LIFE, Danish Diabetes Academy

Impact reports

  • Societal impact of NNF Grants (Impact Report 201X)
  • Highlights for 201X
  • NNF financing of research in Denmark
Advanced analytics
We create data-driven insights on effective grant-giving practices through novel and research-based analysis

Insights

  • Insight analyses and knowledge mappings (e.g. hot spots, networks, business areas and country reports)
  • Report on Danish universities

Research

  • Analytical projects that create new knowledge on the impact of grant-giving practices
  • Evaluations to support decisions on new grants and development of existing grant types

Evaluation partner

  • Pre-evaluation of proposals in project pipeline
  • Terms-of-references and implementation
  • Quality controls
Key themes of impact assessment
To ensure that the Foundation is approaching its vision, we support evidence-informed grant giving through three key themes.
Data architecture
We collect and process information on all activities the Foundation supports to enable analyses of highest international standard.

Data collection

  • From grant recipients: Researchfish®, Foundgood, surveys and other sources
  • External national and international databases
  • Controlling of reporting

Data processing

  • The physical and virtual Data Warehouse
  • Data quality assurance

Data readiness

  • Generate applicable data
  • Make data available to internal (e.g. Deep Dives) and external use
Portfolio reporting
We monitor the portfolio of grants and analyse how the Foundation’s activities contribute to society ensuring the fulfillment of the Foundation’s long-term goals.

Compliance reporting

  • Annual Grant Report
  • Bi-annual Grant Reports
  • Compliance reporting to authorities
  • CSR in Annual Report

Dialogue reports

  • Research Centres (4 centres)
  • Steno Diabetes Centres (5 centres)
  • Challenge Programme (35-50 centres)
  • BII, LIFE, Danish Diabetes Academy

Impact reports

  • Societal impact of NNF Grants (Impact Report 201X)
  • Highlights for 201X
  • NNF financing of research in Denmark
Advanced analytics
We create data-driven insights on effective grant-giving practices through novel and research-based analysis

Insights

  • Insight analyses and knowledge mappings (e.g. hot spots, networks, business areas and country reports)
  • Report on Danish universities

Research

  • Analytical projects that create new knowledge on the impact of grant-giving practices
  • Evaluations to support decisions on new grants and development of existing grant types

Evaluation partner

  • Pre-evaluation of proposals in project pipeline
  • Terms-of-references and implementation
  • Quality controls