Scientific Call for Research Funding 2026–2027: Environmental Toxins and Neural Tube Defects
The Hjelt Foundation invites applications for a scientific research funding call investigating the role of environmental toxins in the aetiology of neural tube defects (NTDs).
Proposed studies may investigate causal pathways, biological mechanisms or interventions with the potential to prevent NTDs. Both human and experimental studies are eligible, but the research must focus on exposure during the prenatal period.
Potential areas of investigation include chemicals and other defined substances encountered through occupational environments, living conditions, lifestyle, contaminated food or water, therapeutics or in-vitro fertilisation procedures.
Call at a glance
- Eligible applicants: Established researchers based at universities or equivalent research institutions worldwide
- Projects supported: Up to four research projects
- Project duration: Six months to three years
- Funding: Indicative annual funding envelope of €100,000 across all supported projects
- Stage 1 deadline: 31 December 2026
Applicants and their research teams must demonstrate relevant expertise and experience. Multidisciplinary applications are encouraged, but only one proposal may be submitted per institution.
Priority will be given to original, scientifically rigorous and feasible research that can make a measurable contribution to understanding the causes or prevention of NTDs.
Purely descriptive studies, case series, literature reviews, research focused on clinical care after birth, and studies centred on smoking or alcohol are outside the priority scope of this call.
Application process
Applications will be considered through a two-stage process.
Stage 1 requires an outline application of no more than two pages. Selected applicants will subsequently be invited to submit a full proposal for independent peer review.
Key dates
- Stage 1 outline application deadline: 31 December 2026
- Stage 1 decision: 30 January 2027
- Stage 2 full proposal deadline: 15 April 2027
- Final funding decision: June 2027
Applications must be submitted as a single PDF to callsNTD@hjeltfoundations.org, using the following email subject:
NTD Call 2026–2027 — Stage 1 — [Principal Investigator surname]
Applicants should review the complete scientific call before preparing their submission, including the detailed eligibility requirements, eligible costs, assessment criteria and application instructions.
Download the full Scientific Call for Research Funding 2026–2027 (PDF)