Research and Innovation background
- Roadmap for Research Infrastructure 2025: Denmark’s national strategy for the research infrastructure area. It contains a series of strategic objectives and specific milestones that point towards the direction for the upcoming years’ development in the area. The roadmap also includes concrete proposals for the new national research infrastructures that Denmark should invest in over the upcoming years. Included in the strategy is the Real-Time Computing Center for Secure and Rapid Energy System Transition (RT Center), which provides an ability to simulate energy systems in real time, including energy islands, Power-to-X and electric cars.
- Infrastructure Plan 2035 (Infrastrukturplan 2035): National transport infrastructure and mobility plan adopted in 2021 with ongoing implementation. It prioritises decarbonisation of transport through electrified rail, EV charging infrastructure, renewable refuelling stations for heavy-duty vehicles, and research into green road materials such as low-rolling-resistance asphalt.
- Power-to-X Strategy for Denmark (2021): Strategy for the development of alternative fuels production capabilities for Denmark, including renewable fuels such as hydrogen and e-fuels for heavy freight, aviation and maritime transport. The strategy includes dedicated R&I support for demonstration projects and industrial pilots.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Institutional framework of transport research
- The Ministry of Transport isresponsible for the governance of the transport sector in Denmark. The Ministry has responsibility for distributing EU research funds to National Research Agencies in Denmark. The Ministry is supported by executive agencies in implementing activities by the Danish Civil Aviation and Railway Authority and Rail Net Denmark.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)
Funding Sources and Support Initiatives
- Innovation Fund Denmark: National strategic innovation funding envelope supporting research and innovation in green technologies, including transport decarbonisation, digitalisation and sustainability solutions aligned to national and EU agendas. The Fund’s strategy for the period 2024 to 2026 includes a focus on early stage investments in the highest risk phases of R&I and a focus on sustainability research. It funds research through a series of funding instruments or programmes, including ‘Innofounder’ to assist startups and ‘Innoboost’ to support to more established companies, with an emphasis on SMEs. It also supports larger collaborative projects through partnerships between researchers and industry through the ‘Grand Solutions’ programme.
- Transport Development Fund: Industry-funded programme with support from the Danish freight transport unions and associations, supporting research, pilot projects and training initiatives focused on freight transport innovation. Their focus is on the development of the freight transport industry in Denmark through initiatives that support the future of the industry and the development of training programmes to ensure a future workforce for it.
- The Energy Technology Development and Demonstration Programme (EUDP) funds research and innovation activities in the demonstration of new green energy technologies. The aim is to provide the capability to deliver on Denmark’s goal of a 70% reduction in carbon emissions by 2030 and climate neutrality by 2050.
- Specific funding programmes Denmark operates include the National programme for the ERDF in Denmark (2021-2027): Strong enterprises through innovation, digitalisation and green transition. Funded from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it includes measures supporting innovation, digitalisation and green transition in enterprises, with a scope that can facilitate transport R&I investments, such as low carbon transport, regional connectivity and investment in sustainable transport infrastructure. The ERDF in Denmark supports the transition to a circular economy, the development of tourism destinations and improvements in town centre infrastructure. The national programme for the ERDF in Denmark also includes upcoming strategic projects, such as the development of the world’s first ‘energy island’ on the island of Bornholm, which is also planned to be a green transport hub for the Baltic Sea.
(Last updated: 18/05/2026)