After a strategic seminar and board meeting, the Foundation Board has now decided on the 2026 grant allocation budget:
AUFF NOVA
The 2026 budget for AUFF NOVA is DKK 48 million. The programme targets permanently employed researchers at Aarhus University, who can apply for project funding of up to DKK 2.5 million plus overhead.
The purpose remains unchanged: to kick-start ambitious and innovative high-quality research ideas that often struggle to attract external funding.
AUFF NOVA again offers two types of grants:
A 20% overhead is added on top of the actual project costs.
A full call and guidelines will be published in February 2026.
AUFF Recruiting Grants
Recruiting Grants can be applied for on an ongoing basis and are used in current recruitment situations where start-up funds are essential to attract strong candidates. The grants support the hiring of assistant professors, associate professors, and full professors.
The call and guidelines will be published in early 2026.
Publication Support
The publication support fund amounts to DKK 2.5 million in 2026. Priority is given to groundbreaking publications targeting high-profile international channels, especially major foreign publishers. High-quality publications with Danish publishers may, however, still receive support.
Calls with deadlines are expected in February and September.
No overhead is provided.
International Mobility
DKK 4.5 million is allocated for international mobility—both for visits by foreign researchers and for outgoing mobility by AU researchers.
A 20% overhead is applied to these grants.
Calls and guidelines will be published in early 2026.
Support for PhD Courses, Research Group Meetings, Workshops, and Summer & Winter Camps at Sandbjerg Manor
Applications can still be submitted on an ongoing basis. The purpose is to reduce participation fees for stays at Sandbjerg Manor.
The total 2026 budget is DKK 2.5 million. Support amounts vary by season:
Applications are accepted continuously.
Research Stays at Møllehuset and Husumgade
Researchers may continue to apply on an ongoing basis for stays at Møllehuset at Sandbjerg Manor and in the Foundation’s apartment on Husumgade in Copenhagen.
Applications are accepted continuously.
Research-Related Events at Hejmdal
Hejmdal in Universitetsbyen now functions as an “all-inclusive” meeting venue operated by FEAS. AU and other tenants can host meetings, conferences, receptions, and events there.
Academic staff at AU may apply for DKK 10,000 per day, which covers the venue rental.
Applications are accepted continuously.
Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies
AUFF continues its support for the operation of the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies.
If you have any questions, you are very welcome to contact the foundation team at 70 23 79 88 or auff@auff.dk