Independent Research Fund Denmark has earmarked DKK 750 million for new and original research ideas across all scientific research areas. This means a total of 222 researchers can commence new and important research based on the best of their own original ideas. The selected research projects include topics such as sex education in primary and lower secondary schools, when and where in history dogs were domesticated, and the ethical use of artificial intelligence.

The funding has been awarded via DFF-Research Project1 and DFF-Research Project2 grants explains Maja Horst, chair of the board of Independent Research Fund Denmark:

"It's a great day for Independent Research Fund Denmark and Danish research in general. We’re awarding funding for non-targeted research to exceptionally talented researchers who have such promising, important and specific research ideas. So despite, or perhaps because, the projects span such a broad range of themes, approaches and fields, it’s all research that is trying to improve our lives and way of living,” says Maja Horst.

Tech to contribute to the green transition

At the Faculty of Technical Sciences at Aarhus University, researchers are trying to positively impact society by developing new knowledge and new technologies in aid of the green transition. Ten researchers at Tech have been awarded a total of approx. DKK 33 million, explains Brian Vinter, vice-dean for research:  

"Research at the Faculty of Technical Sciences at AU always aims to contribute positively to society and the planet. But any solution we send out into the world begins its life as a fledgling idea. That’s why it’s important that Tech covers research every step of the way, from basic research to innovation. I’m therefore delighted to see ten new basic research projects from the outer margins of our research spectrum, with focus on epistemological research," says Brian Vinter.

Facts about DFF-Research Project1 and DFF-Research Project2 grants

DFF-Research Project1 and DFF-Research Project2 grants are awarded to help individual researchers realise an original research idea: DFF- Research Project1 grants are awarded to projects that enhance the quality of Danish research, have a clear and well-defined problem statement, and where the research activities are expected to be of high, international quality. DFF- Research Project2 grants are often characterised by a coordinated and mutually binding collaboration featuring a well-defined, joint research question. However, they can also be awarded to a project formulated by a single researcher to be carried out in a research team,

Figures may be subject to change in connection with with the fund’s upcoming budget review.

• The two grant programmes have awarded a total of DKK 757 million to 222 research projects. The total success rate measured in terms of amount granted and number of projects is 14 per cent.
• DFF-Forskningsprojekt1 projects usually run for three years, and must be completed within a financial framework of up to DKK 2 million excl. overhead. 
• A total of 175 DFF- Research Project1 grants have been awarded in 2023 with a success rate of 11 per cent in terms of the amount applied for and granted, and the total number of applications and grants.
• A DFF-Research Project2 project usually runs for up to 4½ years and is usually carried out by several researchers (including postdoc graduates and PhD students) with a financial framework of between DKK 2 million and DKK 4.3 million excl. overhead.
• A total of 47 DFF- Research Project2 grants have been awarded in 2023 with a success rate of 16 per cent in terms of the amount applied for, and 15 per cent in terms of the number of grants compared to the total number of applications.