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

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.


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


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

14 April 2026
15 April 2026
22 April 2026
1 May 2026
7 May 2026
12 May 2026
9 June 2026
17 June 2026
1 July 2026
13 August 2026
27 August 2026
10 September 2026
11 September 2026
2 October 2026
3 November 2026
24 November 2026

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.


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.


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.

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.


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


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.


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.


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.


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.

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. 


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.