Initiatives in TECH’s Funding Strategy
ERC and Career Grants Incentives
Recognising excellence and career grants
What is this initiative about?
This initiative is a bonus incentive when you progress in an application process of career grants, and the reward is given to you as applicant and your department.
The reward consists of a bonus that for ERC consists of DKK 250,000 for you and DKK 250,000 for your department, while for the other included career grants includes a bonus of DKK 100,000 for you and DKK 100,000 for your department. Please note that you can receive the reward once per grant type.
You can use the bonus to support your research activities including hiring of staff, co-financing, travel, equipment, etc. The bonus cannot be used for personal salary.
Who is this initiative for?
This initiative rewards you as a researcher when invited for an interview for the following grants: ERC (Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, Synergy), DFF Sapere Aude, Villum (Young Investigator, Ascending Investigator, Investigator) or Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens (Advance).
For career grants without an interview stage, the bonus is triggered when the grant is awarded (NNF Data Science Investigator (Emerging, Ascending, Distinguished) or Carlsberg Foundation Semper Ardens (Accelerate, Accomplish).
How do I apply for this?
Contact prodekan-tech-forsk@aau.dk and CC your Vice Head of Department for Research when eligible according to the above.
Emerging Research Leader
A tailored programme for younger researchers on research leader skills and competences.
What is this initiative about?
The programme helps you develop yourself as research leader and supports you in acquiring knowledge, skills, and competencies related to supporting leadership of staff and teams within your research group or section. You will learn about the transition from being an individual researcher to become a research leader and develop skills in providing feedback and coaching.
The programme runs on bi-annually, with the next class expected to start in September 2027.
The upcoming application deadline for the programme will be communicated across multiple channels once it has been determined.
Who is this initiative for?
The programme is aimed for you as a younger faculty member usually 2-4 years after completing of your PhD. Typically, you would hold an assistant or associate professor position.
How do I apply for this?
Contact your departments local Funding Advisor for more information.
EU-START-UP
Dedicated support for building your competitive EU and ERC proposals.
What is this initiative about?
This initiative supports you with funding for covering costs associated with collaborative EU research grant efforts when developing project proposals. You can use the funding for activities such as meetings, workshops, concept development, and consultants or support services directly linked to the proposal preparation, enabling you to strengthen the quality and competitiveness of your application.
Who is this initiative for?
If you are the coordinator of a consortium, you can apply for up to 125,000 DKK, and if you are a partner you can apply for up to 75.000 DKK. This amount could cover various costs when applying for a collaborative EU research grant. For Coordinators, this includes group activities such as joint writing sessions, coordinator and partner accommodation and travel costs, facilitation costs like conference rooms or collective meals or salary for the applicant. For more information on the exact applicable costs, contact your local Funding Advisor.
How do I apply for this?
Contact your departments local Funding Advisor for more information about what kind of activates you can develop or participate in, and to receive an application form.
Writing Retreat
Strengthening your proposal through dedicated writing time.
What is this initiative about?
This initiative offers you as a researcher the opportunity to get financial support and funding for going on a shorter retreat or develop relevant activities to strengthen the development of competitive national research project proposals. The retreat could allow you to have dedicated time and space for focused writing, reflection, and proposal refinement, either for you individually or if you lead a consortium.
Who is this initiative for?
The writing retreat is open for you both as an individual applicant or as a researcher coordinating a consortium. Whether you are preparing an independent proposal or leading a collaborative application, the retreat provides flexible funding to support activities that are essential for developing strong, high-quality submissions to national, regional, or private funding bodies.
As an individual you can apply for up to 10,000 DKK to cover expenses. This could cover costs for travel, accommodation, and meals.
If you are a coordinator of a consortium, you can apply for up to 35,000 DKK. This amount can be used for group activities such as joint writing sessions, coordinator and partner accommodation and travel costs, facilitation costs like conference rooms or collective meals.
How do I apply for this?
Contact your departments local Funding Advisor for more information about what kind of activates you can develop or participate in, and to receive an application form.
Horizon Accelerator
Accelerating your competences in European research funding through collaboration and capacity building.
What is this initiative about?
This initiative provides a programme for you, where the focus is on increasing participation in EU‑funded projects and aligning your research strengths with key European priorities.
Anchored in broad engagement, the initiative involves key actors across TECH and AAU, including faculty leadership, department management, research representatives, funding advisors, local fundraisers, and the AAU EU Office.
Running from September 2026, the programme provides you with targeted training, guidance, and access to relevant resources to support you in improving the competitiveness and success of applications within EU funding calls.
The programme is scheduled to commence in September 2026 and continue into 2027, with plans for it to operate on a biannual basis moving forward.
The next application deadline for the programme will be communicated across multiple channels once it has been determined.
Who is this initiative for?
The initiative is aimed at you if you seeks to strengthen your engagement and involvement in European research funding. It is particularly relevant for you if you are involved in, or planning to engage in, collaborative EU projects and wish to develop your competences in proposal development, project coordination, and compliance with EU funding requirements. Through targeted training, guidance, and access to relevant resources, the initiative supports you in enhancing your competitiveness in EU funding calls.
How do I apply for this?
Contact your departments local Funding Advisor and CC your Vice Head of Department for Research for more information.