AU Connect

Funding for collaboration with private or public enterprises

Thank you for the applications. We expect to offer a new round of applications in 2025.

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.

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.

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 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 will be disbursed via internal trade to the applicant's 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

Processing of applications

Applications will be processed in dialogue with a panel consisting of

  • One or two representatives from public/private companies with experience of working with AU
  • Head of Department Unni From, 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.)

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.