Current calls and posts
You can receive help with the administrative and economical aspects of applications, grants, contracts and collaboration agreements as a researcher at the School of Communication and Culture.
News
Circle U.-mobility grant continues for 2025
With the Circle U. mobility grant for 2025 there is once again an opportunity to strengthen international cooperation within both education and research. The faculty management team has decided to continue the programme, so employees at Faculty of Arts can apply for grants for international trips. One can also apply for funding for a study trip for up to 50 students.
- Read more about Circle U. mobility grant. (DK only)
- For more information about the grant, refer to the Circle U. mobility grant 2024.
Circle U. educational activities
There is now an opportunity to apply for funding for Circle U. educational activities in collaboration with one of the other Circle U. universities.
The faculty management team has, to supplement the Circle U. mobility grant, decided to create a smaller grant that supports educational activities with other Circle U. universities in 2025. The grant allows one to invite guest lecturers or develop events, try new formats or create subject packages in cooperation with one or more of the eight Circle U. universities in Europe. Lecturers can apply for the grant, and it can be combined with the mobility grant that may fund a visit to another university or a bus trip for students.
- Read more about Circle U. educational activities.
Support for Open Science: Journal Finder
To support researchers in publishing Open Access, the Royal Library has established Journal Finder, which aims to make it easier and more straightforward to identify journals covered by national licensing agreements for Open Access publishing. Try the service, which is free, here: https://pro.kb.dk/en/open-science/journal-finder
- If you have any questions about Open Access, you are very welcome to contact AU Library's Open Access support: oa@kb.dk
New thematic instrument: Information on the Co-PI model
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) is introducing a new instrument with a focus on collaboration for its politically prioritized themes. With the introduction of the new thematic instrument, collaboration will be an essential evaluation criterion for applications. Therefore, all thematic applications must include a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).
The new instrument will take effect with the upcoming thematic call for 2025, which is expected to be published in March.
- Read more about DFF’s requirements for applicants and Co-PIs.
- Read more about DFF’s new framework for thematic research or see announcement below.
New framework for thematic research in 2025
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) introduces a new instrument for implementing politically prioritized themes, which will take effect in 2025. This thematic instrument is designed to better address the specific research needs typical of thematic areas, including practice-oriented research. In total, the fund will distribute approximately 2.1 billion DKK for independent research in 2025, including 867.6 million DKK for research for specific themes as part of the agreements on the distribution of the research reserve.
DFF expects to publish a thematic call for proposals in early march 2025.
- Read more about DFF’s new framework.
Do you process personal data in your research?
When collecting personal data as a researcher, you generally need to inform the relevant people (data subjects) that you are processing their personal data. This is called the information duty. The purpose of the information duty is to secure transparency for the data subjects about how you will process their personal data.
AU’s templates for information duty, scientific research purposes and informed consent have just been updated. You can find them here:
- Scientific research purposes
- Information duty
- Do you have any questions? Then you can contact the data protection coordinator at Arts, Louise Buchhave (lobu@au.dk).
Social security at the School of Communication and Culture
It is important to factor in social security – understood as the right to benefits such as parental leave and sickness benefits – when appointing international researchers with external grants if they are living and working in countries other than Denmark (including part time), as there could be significant costs associated with such appointments. The school is unable to cover social security costs for employees involved in externally funded projects. In such cases, the costs must be covered by the project, so it is important to take this into account when applying for external funding. Arts HR (in collaboration with Arts Finance) has offered to assist in calculating the costs of social security. The research consultants are responsible for inquiring about and verifying whether social security considerations are relevant when approving budgets. If you have any doubts about social security, you can always contact one of the school’s research consultants.
Workshops, webinars and masterclasses
Webinar about MSCA Doctoral Networks 2025
This webinar provides a comprehensive overview of the practical aspects applicants need to consider when applying to the 2025 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Networks call. The RSO will highlight the most important details of the call, and Professor Alexandre Anesio, Department of Environmental Science will share his experiences as a coordinator and give his tips on putting together a consortium and writing the proposal.
Time and place: 24 April 2025 at 14:00 - 15:00. Online, you will receive the meeting link after registration. Please register no later than 22 April 2025.
About the call: The MSCA Doctoral Networks call will open 28 May 2025, and close on the 25 November 2025. Further information can be found here.
ERC Starting Grant workshop
Registration deadline: 25 March 2025
This hands-on peer-to-peer workshop will prepare you for applying to the ERC StG 2026 call with an expected deadline in October 2025. The workshop is relevant for researchers with a ground-breaking research idea from all faculties at Aarhus University with a strong intention of applying for the grant. If you have general questions about ERC, the workshop is not for you, but you are more than welcome to contact the RSO.
Time and place: 30 April 2025 at 12:30 – 16:00 at Navitas, Inge Lehmanns Gade 10, Bld. 3210, 5th floor, room 060
Online crash course on SIF (storing sensitive research data)
You are hereby invited to an introduction to the mandatory guidelines for the new Sensitive Information Facility (SIF) provided by AU. The main page for SIF is https://sif.au.dk.
Going forward, we will in the beginning have an introduction once a month. Later, this will be shifted to a sparser schedule. Right now, you are invited to participate at any of the following dates:
- 7. April, 9:00 – 10:30
- 7. May, 9:00 – 10:30
- 2. June, 9:00 – 10:30
We will have the session online using Zoom, and details will follow in the calendar invite. Please sign up by writing Per Møldrup-Dalum at per@cas.au.dk.
- Before the session, you should orient yourself in the documentation and create your account on SIF.
- If this goes wrong, you can contact support@au.dk for assistance.
- General guide for SIF.
Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Masterclass 2025
Registration deadline: 27 April 2025
Call deadline: 10 September 2025
The registration for the Research Support Office's (RSO) annual MSCA PF Masterclass 2025 is now open. Through the Masterclass, postdoc applicants and their supervisors receive support throughout the full Postdoctoral Fellowship application process, including training webinars, feedback on application texts, and formality checks.
We encourage all applicants with AU as the host organization to register for the Masterclass, as it is a requirement to obtain full support from the RSO.
Do you have an idea for a school workshop?
We would be happy to hear from you, if you have any ideas for research-related workshops to be held at the school. Simply reach out to the research consultant with suggestions and wishes in this regard.
Explorative lunch meetings at the Faculty of Arts
Are you interested in exploring cross-disciplinary themes or issues with researchers from other faculties at AU? Have you got a new, untested, crazy, experimental or inspiring idea for a new angle on research collaboration between ARTS and the other AU faculties (HEALTH, BSS, NAT and TECH)? An explorative lunch meeting at the Faculty of Arts might be exactly what you’re looking for. The Faculty of Arts is inviting its researchers (assistant professors, associate professors and professors) to propose a variety of cross-disciplinary themes which could be explored at a series of lunchtime meetings in 2022 with a view to conducting a broad investigation of the cross-disciplinary potential in various new research ideas or fields. Proposals are welcome on an ongoing basis. You can read more about the procedure here.
Calls for applications - spring 2025
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF): Research Project1
Deadline: 29 April 2025 at 12:00
A DFF Research Project1 (scope of up to 2.2 million DKK excluding overheads) is characterized by a clear and well-defined research question, where the research activities are expected to be of high international quality. The duration of a DFF Research Project1 is typically 3 years, but it is possible to apply for a project of up to 4 years if a PhD student is involved in the project. Note that as an applicant, you must have independent research experience corresponding to typically 3 years or more after obtaining your PhD (or equivalent qualifications). The project description must be no longer than 5 A4 pages (including figures, tables, etc.).
Nordforsk: Nordic-Baltic initiative on responsible use of Artificial Intelligence
Deadline: 13 May 2025
Aim: The aim of this call is to fund excellent research activities that address shared Nordic and Nordic-Baltic societal challenges in the context of extensive use and implementation of AI in the region. The initiative should contribute to cross-border mobilisation of capacity and competence building among Nordic and Nordic-Baltic research communities and strengthen networks and collaborations. Unlike traditional AI research and innovation, which often centres on pure technological advancements, this initiative seeks to explore the use, development and implementation of AI, on an individual, organisational and societal level, creating prerequisites for responsible and critical future approaches.
Funding and eligibility: Maximum amount of funding that may be sought for Nordic partners is 16.3 MNOK. The research consortium must include research performing organisations in at least four Nordic or Baltic countries. Funding can be sought for 3-4 years.
Support: Please reach out to both the research consultant (hbk@cc.au.dk) and the specialist team at the Research Support Office (RSO) at Nordforsk.FSE@au.dk if you have any questions and/or wish to apply.
Augustinus Foundation: Research in Cultural Heritage 2025
Deadline: 15 May 2025
In 2025, the Augustinus Foundation will once more allocate funds for research projects that contribute to the preservation, dissemination, and understanding of our shared cultural heritage. This year’s application round is expected to open on 1 February 2025, and close on 15 May 2025.
The foundation supports research in the following areas:
- Cultural history in the broadest sense
- Archaeology
- Music (especially classical music and opera)
- Performing arts (especially dance and music drama)
- Visual arts
- Literature
- Classical languages, as well as languages from the original Nordic language group, when the research contributes to the understanding of cultural heritage.
The foundation is favorable to applications that involve multiple partners, focus on cross-disciplinary collaborations between research institutions such as museums and universities, as well as projects that promote the internationalization of Danish research.
Additionally, it is important that research projects are of a high quality and have a clear communication profile. Above all, the content should be anchored in the institution's research strategy.
- Find guidance and more information about the research initiative (announcement to follow)
- See the school’s internal process.
Second call for EUopSTART 2025
Deadline: 27 May 2025 at 12:00
The Danish Ministry of Higher Education and Science's EUopSTART is open again. EUopSTART provides funding for the prepatory activities involved in writing applications for Horizon Europe and the European Defence Fund. Applicants should be aware of new rules regarding who is eligible to apply.
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF): Thematic calls
Notification deadline: 22 April 2025 at 23:59
Deadline: 27 May 2025 (green research) and 3 June 2025 (all other themes)
If you have an idea for ground-breaking research, you can now apply for funding within ten politically determined themes with application deadlines on 27 May and 3 June 2025. The ten new and well-known themes span many different research areas and will be granted under the fund’s new funding instrument “DFF-Thematic”, which, among other things, focus specifically on collaboration, ensures longer duration for the research project and increases the maximum budget framework. In total, the fund will distribute approx. DKK 740 million for thematic research that can generate knowledge or contribute to new solutions for significant societal challenges.
Themes and Application Deadlines
The following themes have an application deadline on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, at 12:00 PM:
The following themes have an application deadline on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM:
- Postdoctoral Exchange Programme in Quantum Research
- Research on antisemitism
- Research on artificial intelligence
- Research on learning and well-being in primary schools
- Research on vulnerability and poor well-being
- Research in psychiatry
- Strengthened research in specialized social services
- Research on elderly and ageing
See the school’s internal process.
VELUX FONDEN: Democratic Sustainability 2025
Notification deadline: 22 April 2025 at 12:00
Deadline: 2 June 2025 at 14:00
Do you have a project that can unite environmental, social, and cultural sustainability while also strengthening and developing democracy? Funding is now available for collective research or research-practice projects aimed at creating a new knowledge base to respond to, act on, and help shape a vision of “democratic sustainability.”
- Read more about the call (DK only)
- The information meeting on Democratic Sustainability has been held but can be viewed with subtitles.
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF): Inge Lehmann
Notification deadline: 12 May 2025 at 23:59
Deadline: 17 June 2025 at 12:00
The objective of the Inge Lehmann programme is to promote a more even gender ratio in research environments, focusing on the career steps where the unbalance sets in. An Inge Lehmann grant has a budgetary framework of up to DKK 2,500,000 excluding overhead. You must be employed as assistant professor/associate professor, researcher/senior researcher, fellow or similar at a Danish research institution. Note: Employment as a postdoc does not meet the requirements for the applicant’s employment category.
Global Innovation Network Programme 2025
Deadline: 18 June 2025 at 12.00
The overall purpose of the Global Innovation Network Programme (GINP) is to give added value to the research and innovation ecosystem in Denmark nationally and increase the global impact of Danish research and knowledge-based innovation internationally in areas with significant innovation potential by means of institutional cooperation.
VELUX FONDEN: HUMpraxis 2026
Notification deadline: 16 June 2025 at 12:00
Deadline (expressions of interest): 14 August 2025 at 14:00
VELUX FONDEN is once again seeking projects where practitioners and humanities researchers from universities work together in close, equal, and mutually engaging collaboration to develop and test new sustainable solutions in practice, while also achieving new fundamental scientific insights and theoretical advancements.
- Read more about the call (DK only)
ERC Advanced Grant (AdG)
Notification deadline: 7 April 2025
Deadline: 28 August 2025
Are you an established, leading principal investigator who wants long-term funding to pursue a ground-breaking, ambitious project? The ERC Advanced Grant could be for you.
- Sign up by sending an email to ERC.FSE@au.dk.
VELUX FONDEN: The value of voluntary social work 2025
Deadline: 1 September 2025 at 14:00
With this call, VELUX FONDEN invites actors from civil society or municipalities, in collaboration with researchers in the humanities and social sciences, to submit applications for projects in which researchers and practitioners together explore and shed light on the value of voluntary social work.
- Read more about the call (DK only)
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF): Thematic call on Arctic Research
Deadline: 3 September 2025 at 12:00
With this call, DFF aims to strengthen Arctic research and contribute to sustainable development in the Arctic through a greater understanding of climate change and its impact on biodiversity, ecosystems, cultural heritage, and living conditions in the Arctic. The research may, for example, focus on climate change, biodiversity, or social and cultural changes and conditions in Arctic communities. Applications must include collaboration between different research institutions and support capacity building in the Arctic, including a focus on the involvement of local populations and Indigenous peoples.
- Read the full call (pdf)
- For budget help, please reach out to Arts Finance/Thor Fris Jespersgaard, thor.jespersgaard@au.dk
- Please remember that if your project includes a named PhD student, a pre-qualification is needed (via Research Consultant Helle Breth Klausen, hbk@cc.au.dk)
- Budget approval: Please send the following appendices to the research consultant by August 20, 2025 (at the latest):
- The research fund’s template for the confirmation of budgets (“DFF Budget Confirmation”), stating the amount being applied for and signed by the main applicant (available here).
- The overall budget (prepared in collaboration with the project controller from Arts Finance).
Partnership for Children’s Research 2025
Deadline: 16 September 2025
The Partnership for Children’s Research is now open to applications for research projects that contribute knowledge about the lives and development of children aged 0-6 years. Projects can apply for up to 6-8 million DKK, including overhead, depending on the focus area. The projects are expected to start in 2026.
For 2025, funding can be applied for within three focus areas:
- Organization, Leadership, and Framework Conditions – Research on how structures, organization, and leadership affect children's lives and the professional quality in early childhood education.
- Living Conditions of 0-6-Year-Old Children – A large survey of the living conditions of young children in Denmark, focusing on well-being, health, relationships, and daily life.
- Knowledge in Practice – Studies on how research and practice can enrich each other and strengthen pedagogical professionalism.
Currently the 2025 call is only available in Danish, for English refer to the 2024 call for now.
