Independent Research Fund Denmark

Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF - Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond) supports independent research based on researchers’ own ideas within and across all the main fields of science.

The two most significant assessment criteria are the project’s scientific quality and the applicant’s qualifications. Research Support DTU assists with the Sapere Aude DFF-Starting Grant. 

DFF has the following main independent, bottom-up research funding instruments:

  • Sapere Aude: DFF-Starting Grant, 3-8 years after PhD
  • DFF International Postdoctoral Grant
  • DFF-Research Project 1, 3 years after PhD
  • DFF-Research Project 2, 8 years after PhD

DFF also funds politically prioritized research themes, including:

  • Inge Lehmann (promoting even gender ratio), 2-6 years after PhD
  • Green Research
  • Arctic Research
  • Research on Artificial Intelligence

You can find out more about DFF grants at their website Independent Research Fund Denmark or contact us for more information.

Contact

Lise-Lotte Olsen Pirovano

Lise-Lotte Olsen Pirovano Senior Executive Officer Office for Research, Advice and Innovation

Updated 24 oktober 2025