FREYJA receives $3 million grant from Wellcome Trust

31. October 2025

The research project Fostering Reciprocity in Environmental DNA science through Yielded stewardship, Just benefit, and Accountability (FREYJA) received a grant of roughly USD 3 million from Wellcome Trust. FREYJA aims to develop a practical framework on research reciprocity in ancient environmental DNA science. Assistant Professor Hrefna Dögg Gunnarsdóttir serves as the lead applicant and grantholder.

The 2-year project is composed of four interrelated working groups each led by project partners from the University of Iceland (Iceland), University of Waikato (New Zealand), Carleton University (Canada) and Mata Ki Te Rangi Foundation (Rapa Nui). Their work will focus on analysing research reciprocity frameworks, conducting collaborative research and community engagement, knowledge translation and capacity building of eDNA scientists in collaboration with AEGIS consortium.