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
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).
Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF): New requirements for applicants’ CVs and publication lists and revised assessment criteria from 2026
Independent Research Fund Denmark will introduce adjusted assessment criteria as well as new formats for applicants’ CVs and publication lists. These changes are part of the fund’s work with CoARA and are intended to ensure that a broader range of experience and research outputs can be taken into account in the assessment of applications. The format includes some narrative elements. Scientific merits remain central, but the new format provides better opportunities to describe experiences that are relevant to the project and the applicant’s research profile, but which previously played a more limited role in the assessment. Furthermore, DFF have revised their assessment criteria. The specific criteria will be made available in connection with the calls published on DFF’s website (and the CC internal pages) in the middle of march.
- Read more about the new requirements and assessment criteria.
- Download the fund’s template for applicant CVs, applicable from 2026.
- See the fund’s template for applicant publication lists (track records), applicable from 2026.
EUopSTART funding is no longer available
EUopSTART funding, which coordinator applicants could apply for from the Ministry of Higher Education and Science to cover costs associated with preparing an EU application, is no longer available to researchers at universities. In future, the funding can only be applied for by GTS institutes and companies.
New website makes it easier to comply with GDPR
On a new website, the Research Data Office will publish information about projects that are exempt from the information obligation, making it easier to comply with the GDPR requirements. This option is now supported by AU’s new website (for now - only in Danish), which will include information about projects exempt from the information obligation. Projects that may be covered by the exemption are projects that are collecting personal data indirectly – i.e. from registers, databases or other data sources – and where contacting all the data subjects would require a disproportionate effort.
The Graduate School introduces four recruitment rounds for specific calls
If you, as a researcher, have received a grant that requires PhD fellowships to be advertised as open calls/in open competition, you now have the opportunity to announce the fellowships four times a year (instead of the previous twice a year).
The new deadlines:
| Draft for the call (form) incl. proof of funding: | 1 August 2025 | 1 December 2025 | 2 March 2026 | 29 June 2026 | 21 September 2026 |
| Announcement on the web: | 1 September 2025 | 11 December 2025 | 12 March 2026 | 9 July 2026 | 9 October 2026 |
| Application deadline: | 1 October 2025 | 1 January 2026 | 1 April 2026 | 15 August 2026 | 1 November 2026 |
| Earliest enrolment start: | 1 January 2026 | 1 April 2026 | 1 July 2026 | 1 November 2026 | 1 February 2027 |
Non-Danish candidates
When you choose an enrolment start date please be aware of the time between the offer is sent to the applicant and the expected enrolment start if the applicant comes from abroad. The offer is sent no later than a month before the enrolment start but the actual enrolment start date depends on how long it takes to process the residence and work permit for non-Danish candidates. They are not allowed to start until the permits are in place.
Summer holiday
If the PhD student is going to start during the summer (July/August) please make sure that there are people present at the department so that the PhD student is not left alone for 1-2 months after enrolment start.
- Note that this change is relevant to specific calls only. The open, faculty-financed calls and PhD fellowships will still be announced twice a year.
- Questions should be directed to Bettina Holmbo Achton from the Graduate School, Arts.
Social security ("social sikring") 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 consultant is 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 the school’s research consultant.
Workshops, webinars and masterclasses
Information meetings and workshops on upcoming calls
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VELUX FOUNDATION: Democratic Sustainability
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Online information meeting 23 March 2026 at 11:00-12:00. Possibly DK only, read more and sign up here.
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Horizon Europe: EIC Pathfinder
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RSO will hold a workshop for applicants on 25 March 2026 at 14:00–15:15.
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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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Workshop on 30 April 2026 at 12:30-16:00. Read more below or see the invitation (pdf).
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Webinars on Independent Research Fund Denmark’s calls for 2026
Independent Research Fund Denmark is hosting two webinars for those who are considering applying to one or more of their calls this year. The webinar will be in English. Read more about the programme and join in (link DK only).
Time and place: 20 March 2026 11:00-12:00 & 24 March 14:00-15:00. Online via Zoom.
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
Deadline | Call |
| 5 March 2026 |
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| 15 March 2026 |
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| 1 April 2026 | |
| 14 April 2026 |
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| 15 April 2026 | |
| 22 April 2026 | |
| 29 April 2026 |
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| 1 May 2026 |
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| 12 May 2026 |
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| 9 June 2026 (Letters of intent to apply (LOI)) | |
| 1 July 2026 | |
| 27 August 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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Below, calls are sorted by application deadline unless other relevant deadlines (RSO support, notification of interest etc.) apply.
Overview of Innovation Fund Denmarks calls for 2026
Read more about the individual calls through the links in the titles below. Take into account that the following details may change, so stay up to date through the website and newsletters.
In some cases, the English websites have not been updated with current deadlines - if in doubt, cross-reference with the Danish sites, reach out to Innovation Fund Denmark via the contact information provided on the websites, or contact the research consultant.
- Innoexplorer
30 January (round 1), 23 April (round 2) and 26 August (round 3) - Industrial researcher
24 February 2026 for applications with private companies, beginning of September for applications with private companies and public organisations - Innobooster
12 March 2026 at 12:00 (round 1), 13 May 2026 at 12:00 (round 2), 6 August 2026 at 12:00 (round 3) and 15 October 2026 at 12:00 (round 4) - Innomissions
- According to agreements on research and innovation 2026-2029, Innovation Fund Denmark will be investing DKK 295.1 million in a strategic push for green research and innovation.
AUFF International Mobility
Notification deadline: 9 February 2026 at 23:59
Deadline: 5 March 2026 at 12:00 noon
See the school’s internal process
AUFF wishes to support inbound and outbound mobility at Aarhus University. Partly by supporting visits at AU from foreign researchers and by supporting AU researchers' stay at foreign universities. There are two different instruments:
- Visiting Researcher Stipends: Consecutive visits of 1 - 3 months are eligible. Grants can cover the visitor's reasonable living expenses in the form of a stipend plus travel expenses or salary and travel expenses. The stipend amounts to DKK 15,000 per month (excl. overhead) in up to 3 months whereby the scholarship can be tax-free.
- Sabbatical Stipends: Applications should cover a consecutive stay of 3-9 months. In special situations, it can be possible to split the stay. Up to DKK 200,000 (excl. overhead) can be applied for. The funds can co-finance expenses for travel and accommodation. Including travel expenses, rent, free purchases from AU, travel expenses for accompanying family and other documented extra expenses in connection with the stay abroad.
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.
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.
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)
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.
Circle U. Sandpits
Deadline: 15 March 2026
Looking to develop innovative, interdisciplinary research projects on sustainability? Join the Circle U. Sandpits; scientific workshops designed to foster creativity and collaboration among researchers from diverse disciplines. This unique format offers researchers at all levels the opportunity to develop innovative research projects, strengthen their project management skills, and expand their academic and professional networks.
Birthe and Knud Togeby's Foundation
Deadline: 15 March 2026
Support for the publication of Danish scientific works (including scientific textbooks) on topics within Latin-derived Romance language and cultures. Support is only given for the printing costs themselves and not, for example, for revision. Only finished manuscripts will be considered; the application must therefore consist of a manuscript as well as a publisher's estimate.
- Applications are sent via. mail to Pia Schwarz Lausten (chairperson), lausten@hum.ku.dk
Carlsberg Foundation: Internationalisation Fellowships
Deadline: 1 April 2026 at 16:00
Two to three-year postdoctoral fellowships for research at an international research institution and a research institution in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands.
AIAS 3-2-1-Go! Collaborative Theme Groups
Deadline: 9 April 2026
AIAS invites researchers at Aarhus University to participate in the creation of collaborative groups that bring together researchers from at least three departments, spanning at least two faculties, united by one overarching theme: 3-2-1-Go!
See the full call and application details here: OPEN CALL: Collaborative theme groups: 3-2-1-Go!
AU launch
Deadline: 14 April 2026 at 23:59
AU Launch is a grant for startup or spinout projects based on academia from Aarhus University to help them demonstrate the commercial potential of their research or idea. The applicant must be enrolled at Kitchen or have an active patent process with Aarhus University.
- Do you have any questions about AU Launch? Contact Navid Fløe Dayyani, nada@au.dk
AU connect and AU connect+
Deadline: 14 April 2026
Funding to expand or develop concrete collaborations with private and public sector organisations.
AU Connect and AU Connect+ are open to academic staff at Aarhus University, including PhD students. AU Connect+ can only be applied for by researchers who have previously received an AU Connect grant to continue and further develop a specific collaboration.
- Do you have questions about AU Connect? Contact Bettina Dencker Hansen, bdh@au.dk
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
DFF: Research Project1
Deadline: 29 April 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.
- See DFF's page on the call (DK only), or refer to their call for proposals 2025/2026 (pdf), page 17-20.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
