AU Connect
Funding for collaboration with private or public enterprises
Apply for AU Connect funding to strengthen development and innovation through collaboration between researchers and businesses.
Aarhus University has set up a special funding opportunity to support researchers at the university who wish to expand or develop specific collaborations with private and public enterprises.
You can apply for the funds in two application rounds, 1 November in the fall of 2024 and 28 March in spring 2025.
The funds of DKK 1.5 million come from the innovation grant from the Research Reserve for the 2024-25 programme.
Who can apply?
- Employees in academic positions at Aarhus University, including PhD students.
How much funding can I apply for?
- Relevant costs may be covered up to a maximum of DKK 150.000.
- The project period may vary, but projects must be completed by the end of 2025.
What can the funds be used for?
The funds can be used to explore opportunities for new collaborations with companies, test new methods of cooperation, further develop established collaborations or work as an interim researcher in a company.
Examples of activities include:
- Testing ideas for a product or service in collaboration with a company
- Testing the development of a technology or service in a company
- Collaborating with a public-sector company on the preparation of e.g. analyses
Application and documentation
The application includes both a project description and a budget and must be signed by the applicant's manager and approved by the head of department.
Documentation and coverage of costs:
- The costs applied for must be documented in a budget
- The funds can cover all or part of the workload reduction from teaching/consultancy
- The funds are transferred as adjustable grant at project start to the applicant's place of employment (department).
- No later than one month after the end of the project, financial statements must be submitted with documentation for all costs to Enterprise and Innovation. Unused funds must be repaid.
- In formalised collaborations, it is a requirement that the cooperation is regulated by a cooperation agreement
- Find application
Processing of applications
Applications will be processed after each round of applications (1 November 2024 and 28 March 2025) in dialogue with a panel consisting of
- One or two representatives from public/private companies with experience of working with AU
- Vice-Dean Anne Marie Pahuus, AU's Business Committee
- Head of Collaboration Kirsten Jensen, Enterprise and Innovation
Enterprise and Innovation provides the secretariat function for the panel.
If you have any questions, please contact Bettina Dencker Hansen, Enterprise and Innovation.
Assessment of applications
Applications are assessed by scoring on the basis of the application form. Emphasis will be placed on both the quality of the project and the applicant's profile:
- The scientific and news-generating value of the collaborative project as well as its possible impact.
- The applicant(s)' qualifications (qualifications and experience) for the implementation of the proposed cooperation project (e.g. innovation competences, experience with special theories and methods, etc.)
- Special priority will initialley be given to cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
The aim is to ensure that applicants are notified no later than four weeks after the application deadline.
Any rejected applicants will receive a reasoned rejection.
