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
RSO support for Horizon Europe’s Pillar II 2026 Work Programme
The RSO offers support for consortium building and concept development, leadership support for coordinators (incl. timeline and task planning), 1:1 advice on proposals, proposal feedback and budgeting support (actual cost and lump sum) as well as input and clarification regarding forms, eligibility and compliance.
- Please get in contact with us if you are planning on becoming a coordinator of a HEU Europe Pillar II project by sending an email as soon as possible to: HEUCollab.FSE@au.dk.
Changes to application rounds for Augustinus Fonden
In 2026 the foundation is changing their processes for applications to the Cultural Heritage instrument:
- The 2027 will be published on 1 September 2026, earlier than usual.
- Digital information meeting on the 2027 call on 16 September 2026.
- Application deadline for the 2027 call: 29 January 2027
Read more about the Cultural Heritage instrument (Link DK only)
Independent Research Fund Denmark is extending their deadlines - notification deadlines are unchanged
Due to the Danish elections, Independent Research Fund Denmark couldn't publish their calls as planned. They will be made available as as soon as possible. The webinars and deadlines for 2026 will be pushed back accordingly. While we wait for the calls, we have made a tentative internal process for the Thematic and Inge Lehmann calls.
- See the school’s internal process
- Note: Notification deadline for all DFF calls is 8 April 2026.
Considering applying for one of the Carlsberg Foundation’s grants this autumn?
Remember that it is not possible to send in several applications in the same round of applications. This means that for the autumn round (deadline 1 September 2026) you can only send in one application – either for Monograph, Semper Ardens, Research Infrastructure, Digital Research Infrastructure or Field trips/Research stays over DKK 100,000.
Stricter notification deadlines and approval procedures for applications going forward
As of the spring of 2026 application, the registration deadlines set by research consultants apply definitively, which means that it is not possible to apply for and receive budget and application support if you register after this date. In addition, a new fixed deadline for the submission of application budgets will be introduced, which lies 10 days before the application deadline. This applies to all instruments. For instruments with an internal school process, this will be stated in this process. The stricter guidelines for notification deadlines and approval procedures have been adopted by theschool management team at CC.
- Read more about the decision in the memo (DK only).
Workshops, webinars and masterclasses
Information meetings and workshops on upcoming calls
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VELUX FONDEN: HUMpraxis 2027 (link DK only)
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VELUX FONDEN is visiting Arts and talking about the HUMpraxis call on 15 April 2026 at 13:30-14:30 at Kasernen. Sign up via mail to hbk@cc.au.dk by 14 April 2026 at 12:00.
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- RSO invites potential applicants to attend an information webinar on 23 April at 13:00-14:00. If you wish to attend, register before 20 April.
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DFF webinar on the Fund's 2026 calls
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Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) is hosting two webinars on 22 April kl. 14:00-15:00 and 27 April kl. 11:00-12:00 for those considering applying to the fund during the year. The webinars will be held in English and will cover both the independent and the thematic calls . Join in via this Zoom link (valid for both days)
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Workshop on 30 April 2026 at 12:30-16:00. Read more below or see the invitation (pdf).
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Marie Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA PF) Masterclass
Registration deadline: 8 April 2026
MSCA PF call deadline: 9 September 2026
The registration for the Research Support Office's (RSO) annual MSCA PF Masterclass 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. Through the series of webinars potential postdocs and their supervisors are introduced to the call and the elements of the application. Former MSCA grant recipients from AU share their experiences, and a former MSCA evaluator provides valuable advice for the application process. Subsequently, applicants are offered individual meetings with RSO's research advisors and receive feedback on their applications.
- 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.
- For sign-up and more information concerning the programme and the call eligibility criteria, you can visit RSO's Masterclass page here.
Workshop on the ERC Starting Grant
This hands-on peer-to-peer workshop will prepare you for applying to the ERC StG 2027 call with an expected deadline in October 2026. Learn more and see the programme in the invitation (pdf).
- Relevant for researchers with a strong intention of applying for ERC Starting Grant. If you have general questions about ERC, the workshop is not for you, but you are more than welcome to contact the RSO. The workshop is not targeted administrative employees.
- Sign up by sending an e-mail to ERC.FSE@au.dk no later than 25th March 2026 - there will be a maximum of 30 participants.
- When signing up please indicate ERC domain. (Physical Sciences and Engineering – PE, Life Sciences – LS, Social Sciences and Humanities – SH)
Time and place: 30 April 2026 at 12:30-16:00. Navitas, Inge Lehmanns Gade 10, Bld. 3210, 5th floor, room 060.
Calls for applications
Overview of current calls
Note: From 2026, CC has introduced a new fixed deadline for budget applications, which is now 10 days before the application deadline. This applies to all calls.
Deadline | Call |
| 15 April 2026 | |
| 22 April 2026 | |
| 1 May 2026 |
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| 7 May 2026 | |
| 12 May 2026 |
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| 2 June 2026 |
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| 3 June 2026 |
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| 9 June 2026 |
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| 17 June 2026 |
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| 1 July 2026 | |
| 13 August 2026 |
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| 27 August 2026 |
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| 2 September 2026 |
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| 10 September 2026 |
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| 11 September 2026 |
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| 2 October 2026 |
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| 3 November 2026 | |
| 24 November 2026 |
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NordForsk: Nordic Exploratory Networks within the humanities and social sciences
Deadline: 15 April 2026 at 13:00
The initiative aims to provide opportunities for early-career researchers to build and lead Nordic networks, to support novelty and creativity in research network activities, and to promote Nordic added value in research. The call supports the development of bottom-up, curiosity-driven research networks within the humanities and social sciences in the Nordic region. Networks are free to explore and develop themes, topics, and activities over a 3-year period.
Eligibility: Networks must include partners from at least four Nordic countries (Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Åland Islands). The project leader must have obtained a PhD 2–7 years prior to the application deadline. Networks should include a significant number of early-career researchers as Key Researchers. Applicants must be affiliated with a research-performing organisation in the Nordic region.
Funding: Maximum funding per network is NOK 1.5 million for a duration of 3 years. The call is expected to fund 22 networks.
- There has been a webinar with a Q&A session, watch the recording.
- Would you like to connect with other researchers interested in the call? Sign up and complete a brief form before 15 March 2026, and you will be added to a list where your information will be shared with other researchers.
- Have any questions about the call? Contact NOSHS26-QA@nordforsk.org
- Sign-up for RSO support: Nordforsk.FSE@au.dk
NordForsk: Nordic-Baltic education systems and 21st century challenges
Deadline: 22 April 2026, 13:00
The call aims to generate new knowledge on Nordic and Baltic education systems in light of key societal challenges. Projects should adopt a societal challenge perspective and are expected to contribute to strengthening Nordic and Nordic-Baltic educational research, enhancing collaborative research networks, supporting knowledge-based policy development in the region, and ensuring wide dissemination of results to stakeholders and policymakers.
All proposals must integrate the following cross-cutting priorities:
- inclusion of early-career researchers
- interdisciplinarity
- societal engagement/impact
In order to sign up for support, please send an email to Nordforsk.FSE@au.dk
The Augustinus Foundation: Research in Cultural Heritage (DK only)
Registration deadline: 2 March 2026 at 23:59
Deadline: 1 May 2026
See the school’s internal process
In 2026, the Augustinus Foundation will again award DKK 50 million to research projects that contribute to the preservation, dissemination and understanding of our common cultural heritage.
The Augustinus Foundation wants to make a difference for research in cultural heritage in Denmark and for the collaboration between the research institutions. By offering funding to promote both the research environments and the opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration between museums, universities and research environments, the Foundation supports the production of knowledge within the humanities in Denmark.
- There will be an online information meeting on 25 February from 10-12. Registration by email infomoede@augustinusfonden.dk
- Read the full call (pdf, DK only) and see the guide for applicants.
AIAS Associate Fellowships
Deadline: 7 May 2026
NB: Process via the research programmes
The AIAS Associate Fellowship Programme aims at strengthening the ties between Aarhus University and AIAS and to extend the interdisciplinary and international research community of Aarhus University.
Horizon Europe: EIC Pathfinder Open
Notification deadline: 27 February 2026
Deadline: 12 May 2026
Do you have an ambitious vision for a novel future technology that could make a real difference to our lives? Do you see a plausible way of achieving the scientific breakthrough that will make this technology possible? Can you imagine collaborating with an interdisciplinary team of researchers and innovators to validate the scientific basis of the future technology, realise a proof of principle, and explore paths to impact? – If the answer to each one of these questions is ‘yes’, then EIC Pathfinder Open may be the right call for you.
- Deadline for signing up for RSO support is 27 February 2026 to EIC.FSE@au.dk.
- RSO will hold a workshop for applicants on 25 March 2026 from 14:00–15:15 and share insights from a Pathfinder Open evaluator as well as from the AU Evaluation Summary Reports.
DFF: Research Project1
Notification deadline: 3 March 2026
Deadline: 12 May 2026
See the school’s internal process
An Independent Research Fund Denmark Research Project1 is defined by a clear problem definition that is explored through research activities of a high, international quality. Projects that stretch over 3-4 years can apply for up to DKK 2.5 million.
DFF Green research (priority 2026–2029)
Application deadline: 2 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Interdisciplinarity, such that an applicant and Co-PI from two different main scientific fields as defined by the European Research Council (ERC) (namely Physical Sciences and Engineering, Life Sciences, and Social Sciences and Humanities); and capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoc in the project
DFF Research on artificial intelligence (priority 2026–2029)
Application deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoc on the project
DFF Research on elderly and ageing and dementia
Application deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Multidisciplinary research, so an applicant and Co-PI from different research disciplines; and practice-oriented research is required
DFF Research on vulnerability and poor well-being
Application deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoc on the project
DFF Research on learning and well-being in primary schools and in upper secondary and vocational education
Application deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Practice-oriented research
DFF Research on antisemitism
Application deadline: 3 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to approximately 6 million DKK, including overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoc in the project; and a requirement for collaboration between different academic disciplines and/or research institutions, i.e., the applicant and the Co-PI must come from different academic disciplines or research institutions
DFF Inge Lehmann
Application deadline: 17 June 2026 at 12:00 noon
See the school’s internal process
The Inge Lehmann Program aims to provide talented early-career researchers with the opportunity to develop their research ideas and skills as independent research leaders. In particular, efforts are being made to promote a more equitable gender balance in research communities, with a focus on the career stages where inequality begins to emerge.
An Inge Lehmann grant can be up to 2,550,000 DKK, excluding overhead costs. There will be approximately 22-23 grants awarded in 2026.
The Bevica Foundation: Research in Universal Design
Deadline: 1 July 2026
The Bevica Foundation is now accepting applications for new PhD research projects aimed at developing knowledge about universal design as a means for creating a more inclusive and equitable society, with a scope of 10.5 million DKK.
We all have different and changing functional abilities throughout life. Nevertheless, our shared environments are often designed for a standardized and fully functioning body. Universal Design is a value-based concept which can be used to ensure equitable inclusion of people with functional variations in the design of our society.
Who can apply?
- Applicants must hold a master’s degree (or equivalent) by the application deadline. Applications are accepted for all PhD models: 5+3, 4+4, and 3+5.
- It is considered an advantage if either the applicant or the primary supervisor has participated in the Bevica Scholarship Programme. Otherwise, qualifications in universal design must be documented.
Got questions? Please contact Project Developer René Sørensen Overby at rene@bevica.dk
VELUX FOUNDATION HUMpraxis 2027 (link DK only)
Deadline for expressions of interest: 13 August 2026 at 14:00
See the school’s internal process
HUMpraxis is for projects in which practitioners and university researchers from the humanities and closely related (see applicant requirements) social science disciplines in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands engage in close, equal, and interactive collaboration. This collaboration should focus on creating and testing new sustainable solutions in practice and gaining new fundamental scientific insights and theoretical developments.
ERC Advanced Grant (AdG)
RSO deadline: 2 March 2026
Deadline: 27 August 2026
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.
- Read the full call (pdf)
DFF Arctic research
Application deadline: 2 September 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoc in the project; and collaboration between different research communities within the Danish Realm (at least two of the three countries), including that the applicant or Co-PI is affiliated with an institution in a country within the Realm; and that the local population or indigenous peoples in Arctic communities within the Realm must be involved.
DFF Research in the Danish Realm
Application deadline: 2 September 2026 at 12:00 noon
Budget: Up to 5 million DKK, excluding overhead
Theme-specific requirements: Capacity building, i.e., at least one PhD student or postdoctoral fellow on the project; and a requirement for collaboration among various stakeholders across the Realm, such that at least two of the three countries in the Realm are represented (e.g., researchers, institutions, government agencies, or NGOs, etc.)
Innovation Fund Denmark: Grand Solutions Programme 2026
RSO support deadline: as soon as possible
Deadline phase 1 (letter of interest): 3 March 2026 at 12:00 noon
Deadline phase 2 (full application): 10 September 2026 at 12:00 noon
The Innovation Fund Denmark just announced their calls for the Grand Solutions Programme 2026 and the central Research Support Office offers support for the entire application process. The programme invests in innovative collaboration projects that create new knowledge and develop solutions with a clear societal or economic impact in Denmark. A project must include a minimum of two partners of which one is not a university (except quantum).
Budget: Investment per project from 5-30 mio DKK (life science and quantum 40 mio DKK). Total investment rate: 75% (quantum 90%). Duration: 1-5 years
- Please sign up for RSO support to IFD.FSE@AU.dk as soon as possible. We support AU coordinators with all aspects of the application (startup meetings, formalities, budget, review of the proposal, etc.) and AU partners with budget preparations and application-related formalities, while their coordinator oversees the application.
- Have any questions? Contact the Grand Solutions team by phone +45 61 90 50 00 or by email store.projekter@innofond.dk. Phone are open Tuesday and Thursday from 9:00-12:00.
Danmarks Grundforskningsfond: Centers of Excellence 2026
Deadline for expressions of interest: 11 September 2026
Centers of Excellence (CoE) are long‑term, ambitious research environments designed to strengthen Danish fundamental research at the highest international level. CoEs provide top researchers with large, flexible grants and optimal working conditions to pursue original, creative, and potentially groundbreaking ideas. The full call will be announced on 27 February, 2026.
- There will be an information meeting at AU on 9 March 2026, from 14:00-15:30. More information will follow.
- If you have any questions about the call, the internal procedures or the application support process, please do not hesitate to contact us at dnrf.fse@au.dk.
VELUX Foundation: Democratic Sustainability (DK only)
Deadline for expression of interest: 1 May 2026 at 14:00
Application deadline: 2 October 2026
See the school’s internal process
Do you have a project that can bring together environmental, social and cultural sustainability while also strengthening and advancing democracy? Funding is now available for collective research or research-practice projects that aim to create a new knowledge base to enable informed responses and concrete actions that contribute to shaping a vision of democratic sustainability.
NordForsk: Global interdisciplinary funding initiative on Disruptive Technologies
Deadline: 3 November 2026
This call supports international, interdisciplinary and transformative research projects that harness disruptive technologies to address major global societal challenges and accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Projects must directly address at least one SDG or another recognized global challenge and involve co-development with stakeholders for long-term impact.
Available Budget: The Nordic partners of a project proposal can apply for a maximum of DKK 10,9 million in total.
- NordForsk hosted a webinar on the call, watch the recording here.
- Sign-up for RSO support: Nordforsk.FSE@au.dk
MSCA Doctoral Networks
RSO deadline: 15 June 2026
Deadline: 24 November 2026
The call for MSCA Doctoral Networks 2026 will be published 28 May 2026, but already now researchers planning to coordinate a MSCA Doctoral Network should begin the proposal preparation.
- RSO invites potential applicants to attend an information webinar on 23 April at 13:00-14:00. If you wish to attend, register before 20 April.
- If you wish to sign up for RSO coordinator support, please do so by e-mail to MSCA.FSE@au.dk before 15 June.
