The funds come from the innovation grant from the research reserve, which also supports entrepreneurial researchers at Aarhus University through the AU Launch garnt. The collaborative funds, which have been named AU Connect, will benefit researchers at AU who collaborate with companies or wish to enter into collaborations that can strengthen their innovative research.

Kirsten Jensen, Head of Business Collaboration at Aarhus University, is pleased that funding is now allocated to researchers collaborating with private and public enterprises:

"In the Business Committee, we think it's entirely natural that funds from the research reserve should benefit innovative researchers as widely as possible. Collaboration and innovation are at the heart of AU's business initiative, and innovation is also the outcome when university researchers are involved in small or large business collaborations. If you are not already engaged in cooperation, you can now apply for AU Connect funding to test opportunities for collaboration. I hope that many researchers will make use of this opportunity."

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

The funded projects must be completed by the end of 2025 at the latest.

Special emphasis will initially be placed on applications where the researcher collaborates with an SME but is not limited to this.

Researchers at AU may apply for up to DKK 150,000, and the first application deadline is 1 November. The next application deadline is 28 March 2025.

Read more and find the application form here