DHI Fonden
About the DHI Foundation (DHI Fonden)
The DHI Foundation was established in 2018 as a commercial foundation with a non-profit purpose dedicated to supporting and maintaining DHI A/S’ operations and development, and subsequently making distributions within our focus areas. Our objectives are to promote and strengthen technological development and expertise within Denmark across various fields, including hydraulic engineering, offshore technology, oceanography, marine environment, water resources, aquatic ecology, environmental chemistry, health and environment, water in industry, urban environment and related areas.
To honour our values and achieve our objectives, the DHI Foundation will enhance the capabilities of trade, industry and society at large. We aim to advance development and welfare both domestically and internationally.
The DHI Foundation will undertake several strategic initiatives, including supporting competence development and technological advancement in Denmark, facilitating participation in European and international research and development programmes, fostering national and international collaborations, facilitating communication of research findings and technological service activities, promoting research, development, education and training activities and extending support to other non-profit or charitable endeavours that align with our mission.
The Board
Per Falholt, 1958 (M)
(Chairman of the Board)
Education: Chemical engineer
Appointed: Appointed in accordance with the articles of association in 2018
Reappointed: Yes
Term of office expires: At the annual financial statements meeting 2027
Independent: Yes
Ownership in DHI Foundation subsidiaries and/or associated companies: The board members of the DHI Foundation are regarded as the beneficial owners of the foundation, thereby making them the legal owners of DHI A/S and consequently the indirect legal owners of all DHI subsidiaries.
Management and board positions: Per Falholt currently holds several significant positions within the Danish business realm. In addition to chairing the DHI Foundation, he serves as Chairman of the Board at Universe Science Park and holds multiple board memberships in companies such as the Life Foundation, Ejendomsfonden LIFE, Danfoss A/S, Unge Forskere, and CYTOVAC A/S. Furthermore, his background includes formerly serving as Chairman of the Board at DTU (Technical University of Denmark).
Special expertise and qualification: Per has extensive experience in global corporate advisory and operational management, having previously held prominent positions such as Group Managing Director at Novozymes, where he oversaw research and development for more than 15 years. Additionally, he has been involved in biotechnological research at both Novo Nordisk and Novozymes. Per is the co-founder and currently serves as CSO at 21st.BIO.
Birgitte Nauntofte, 1958 (F)
(Board member)
Education: DDS, Dentist, PhD and Doctor of Odontology
Appointed: Appointed in accordance with the articles of association in 2023
Reappointed: No
Term of office expires: At the annual financial statements meeting 2026
Independent: No
Ownership in DHI Foundation subsidiaries and/or associated companies: The board members of the DHI Foundation are regarded as the beneficial owners of the foundation, thereby making them the legal owners of DHI A/S and consequently the indirect legal owners of all DHI subsidiaries.
Management and board positions presently: Birgitte Nauntofte possesses significant board experience, currently serving as Chairman of the Board at Aarhus University, board member at the LIFE Foundation, board member of LIFE A/S, board member of DHI A/S, board member of the Danish Cultural Institute, board member of the Board Leadership Society (Bestyrelsesforeningen CBS), Vice Chair of the Board of the Danish Society for Education and Business, board member of the Royal Danish Geographical Society and board member of the Royal Danish Geographical Society’s Publication Fund. Previously, Birgitte has held positions such as board member of the BioInnovation Institute, Vice Chairman of the Board at Steno Diabetes Center, Chairman of the Board at Kennedy Center and a board member at the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences (University of Copenhagen).
Special expertise and qualification: Birgitte is a veteran within the Danish business elite, having held the position as CEO at the Novo Nordisk Foundation for over 11 years. Her career also encompasses roles as professor and dean of research at The Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences (University of Copenhagen). Additionally, Birgitte has been entrusted with significant positions of trust, including serving on the Committee for Good Foundation Governance and The Danish Medical Research Council, The Danish Council for Research and Innovation Policy.
Mikkel Esbjerg, 1976 (M)
(Board member)
Education: Master of Laws
Appointed: Appointed in accordance with the articles of association in 2018
Reappointed: Yes
Term of office expires: At the annual financial statements meeting 2027
Independent: No
Ownership in DHI Foundation subsidiaries and/or associated companies: The board members of the DHI Foundation are regarded as the beneficial owners of the foundation, thereby making them the legal owners of DHI A/S and, consequently, the indirect legal owners of all DHI subsidiaries.
Management and board positions: Mikkel possesses substantial board experience, holding positions on the boards of several of DHI’s global subsidiaries. Furthermore, Mikkel is a member of the board in Anton Dam Møbler A/S and Scanaviation A/S.
Special expertise and qualification: Mikkel brings extensive experience as a corporate and commercial lawyer, having held senior positions in several leading Danish law firms. Additionally, he has significant corporate experience in roles such as Head of Legal/General Counsel. Mikkel has been affiliated with DHI A/S since 2013, where he has served as Vice President of Group Legal for DHI A/S for more than 10 years.
Apply for grants
The DHI Foundation will offer financial support for non-profit and charitable projects that align with the DHI Foundation’s objectives. Grants will be available for both open competition projects and individual strategic initiatives.
Application Process
When you fill out and submit a grant application, it is important to describe the project briefly and accurately. This includes providing a description of the project idea, primary activities, quantitative and qualitative objectives, goals and target audience together with an explanation of how the project aligns with the DHI Foundation’s purposes.
Upon receipt of an application or after the expiration of a specified application deadline, the DHI Foundation’s board will review and assess the received applications. The board generally evaluates projects based on their quality, novelty, potential impact, budget, qualifications of the applicants and alignment with the objectives of the foundation.
To Apply
Please fill in the form below to apply for a grant.
If you have any questions regarding the application or the application process in general, please contact: mie@dhigroup.com.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding the DHI Foundation, please contact: mie@dhigroup.com.