Nordic Chemicals Programme: Open Call for Proposals – Theme 1

The main objective of the Nordic Chemicals Programme is to contribute to reducing the risks posed by hazardous chemicals and pollution, both globally and locally by enhancing the exchange of knowledge, producing new knowledge and identifying and utilising synergies between the Nordic chemical authorities. The programme primarily focuses on and contributes to sub-goals 3.1 and 3.3 of the Nordic Cooperation Programme for environmental and climate 2025-2030: 

• 3.1: contribute to high level of ambition to the negotiations and active implementation of international agreements concerning chemicals, waste, pollutants, plastic and similar. 
• 3.3: reduce risks to humans and the environment from chemical substances and products by phasing out hazardous chemicals, developing new knowledge, and informing key target groups. 

The Nordic Chemicals Programme covers five themes. This open call invites project applications for Theme 1. Development and validation of test methods. The theme contributes to the programme outcome of " Enhanced cooperation for safer management of chemical substances".

This Open Call focuses on validation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) test methods. EU Commission has recently published a Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing in chemicals safety assessments (find out more here: link). This call invites Nordic projects aiming to contribute to the EU Commission Roadmap. 

There is no legal and formally agreed definition of NAMs. For the purpose of this call, NAMs are defined as in the ECHA workshop in 2023 (ECHA 2023). Namely: 

“NAMs denote alternatives to traditional toxicity methods that typically involve animal testing. These alternatives are useful for predicting and assessing chemical risks and hazards, by providing mechanistic information for biologically complex endpoints. They include, e.g. in vitro, in chemico methods and in silico computational models, which may be used alone or in combination with other methods and have the potential to be quicker, cheaper and use less animals.”

Theme 1 focuses on supporting the development of test methods through the OECD Test guideline programme and its collaborating partners. The project applied for may already be included in the OECD Test guideline programme or in a state of pre-validation ahead of the submission phase. 

This call is limited to:

• Supporting the validation of New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) test methods which are included in the OECD Test guideline programme or in pre-validation ahead of the submission to the OECD Test guideline programme. 
• Activities that aim to contribute to the EU Commission Roadmap towards phasing out animal testing in chemical safety assessments. 

Up to 12 months (2026 - 2027)

• Any municipal, regional, or national authorities
• Universities and colleges, 
• Research institutes and other non- profit organizations
• Business enterprises cannot be the main applicants or recipients of funding. However, they may be included as project participants, participate in the project group, or work on the project on behalf of the project owner.

This call is directed and available to the following countries: Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden and Åland. 

At least three of these countries must be involved in the project. Alternatively, one of these three countries can be replaced by a Baltic country: Estonia, Lithuania or Latvia. In addition, other countries may be included from outside the Nordic Region. 

Involvement is defined as helping to run, implement or guide the project.

The NCP is looking to fund projects up to maximum of DKK 750.000,00

The total funding pool is DK 1.500.000,00

The projects are expected to follow budget guidance of Nordic Council of Ministers. Please note the rules set for overheads and auditing. If the project involves subcontracting work through tendering, it is the responsibility of the applicant to follow the required procurement processes.

Questions regarding the open call can be sent to ncp@tukes.fi by 26.08.2026. 

Applications must be sent to ncp@tukes.fi by 31.08.2026. 

Attach a filled-out word-version of the application form. 

By submitting your application, you agree that Tukes and the Nordic Council of Ministers can process it, and any personal data it contains, electronically. 

The Nordic Chemicals Programme Steering Committee evaluates project applications. These proposals are assessed against the following criteria. 

General criteria

• The proposal must have a clearly framed project with clearly described deliverables. 
• The overall quality of the project proposal, including the expected results and outcomes of the projects, as well as relevant competence and experience needed to complete the project.
• Relevance and contribution to 
  • i) the outcomes and outputs of the Nordic Chemicals Programme; 
  • ii) the goals and sub-goals of Nordic Cooperation Programme for Environment and Climate 2025-2030, and the Nordic Vision 2030; 
  • iii) added Nordic value, i.e. the project is a collaborative effort between the Nordic countries, with the outcomes benefiting Nordic countries; 
  • iv) the relevance of the project proposal to the Nordic region; and
  • v) balanced and efficient use of budget

Call specific criteria

• The project contributes to supporting the validation of test methods in the OECD Test guideline programme or pre-validation ahead of the submission to the OECD Test guideline programme
• The test methods are defined as New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)