Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is a prestigious postdoctoral opportunity at the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS) in Denmark. Up to 10 fellowships are awarded for curiosity-driven research across all academic disciplines. The fellowship provides 23 months of funding for researchers who have completed their PhD between 2 and 10 years prior to the application deadline.
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AIAS operates as an ‘Institute for Advanced Study,’ bringing together excellent researchers from diverse backgrounds to pursue cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary, international environment. The fellowship is funded by The Aarhus University Research Foundation (AUFF).
What the Fellowship Covers
Fellows receive comprehensive support that enables full focus on research:
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- Salary: Based on seniority, with employment conditions regulated through Danish collective union agreements
- Relocation travel costs: Covered for moving to Denmark
- Relocation assistance: Support for settling in Aarhus
- Office space: Dedicated workspace at AIAS
- Academic activities: Access to training activities, conferences, and workshops at AIAS
- University affiliation: Connection to relevant research environments at Aarhus University
Eligibility Requirements
The fellowship has specific criteria that applicants must meet:
- Career stage: 2 to 10 years of experience after PhD completion by the deadline (3 November 2026)
- Discipline: Open to all research areas and themes
- Nationality: Any nationality may apply
- Mobility rule: Must not have resided or carried out main work activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the two years immediately prior to the deadline
- Research focus: Interdisciplinary research project and/or demonstrated interest in interdisciplinary work
- Collaboration: Must have or see relevant collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University
For African applicants from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, the mobility rule typically poses no barrier, as residence in Denmark is uncommon. The key challenge is identifying relevant collaboration opportunities at Aarhus University before applying.
Research Environment at AIAS
AIAS offers a distinctive academic setting designed to foster intellectual breakthroughs:
- Interdisciplinary platform: Fellows engage with researchers from different disciplines within AIAS and across Aarhus University departments
- Theme groups and individual fellowships: Flexible structures accommodating collaborative and independent research
- Active participation: Fellows can join, organize, and contribute to events and activities
- Career development: Tailored activities focusing on competencies essential for academic success
The daily interaction with colleagues from diverse fields provides fresh perspectives, methods, and insights that often lead to unexpected research questions and innovations.
Application Timeline
| Call opens | August 2026 |
| Application deadline | 3 November 2026 at 12:00 (noon) CET |
| Evaluation period | November 2026 – February 2027 |
| Notification to applicants | March 2027 |
| Fellowships begin | 1 September 2027 |
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted through the GrantOne online system. The process requires careful preparation:
- Review the ‘Guide for Applicants’ available on the AIAS website for detailed requirements
- Prepare your research proposal emphasizing interdisciplinary elements and collaboration with Aarhus University
- Identify and confirm potential collaborators at Aarhus University
- Complete the online application via GrantOne before the deadline
- Ensure all required documents are uploaded and the application is submitted by 12:00 noon CET on 3 November 2026
Selection Process
The Selection Board evaluates applications based on:
- Research excellence and originality
- Interdisciplinary potential
- Feasibility of collaboration with Aarhus University
- Alignment with AIAS’s mission of intellectual exploration
The 2027 Selection Board comprises: Andreas Roepstorff, Dorte Krause-Jensen, Jørgen Frøkiær, Kees van Kersbergen, Lone Koefoed Hansen, and Lukas Esterle.
Contact Information
For questions not addressed in the Guide for Applicants:
- Email: helle@aias.au.dk
- Phone: +45 30588129
- Contact person: Helle Villekold
Why This Fellowship Matters for African Researchers
For scholars from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship represents a significant opportunity to advance academic careers in a well-resourced European research environment. The 23-month duration provides substantial time for project development and publication. The interdisciplinary emphasis aligns with growing recognition that complex challenges—particularly in areas like climate adaptation, public health, and development—require cross-boundary collaboration.
Previous fellow note: Magda Rita Hamczyk (AIAS-AUFF Fellow 2024-2026) described the fellowship as invaluable for career reflection, stating it allowed her to “step back from day-to-day research, reflect on my career and the broader academic environment, and reassess my priorities and future research directions.”
Official scholarship page: https://aias.au.dk/opportunities-at-aias/aias-auff-fellowships
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
