Danish Advanced Research Academy (DARA) Open Fellowship Call – Summer 2025

The Danish Advanced Research Academy (DARA) is pleased to announce its Summer 2025 Call for Open PhD Fellowships. This opportunity supports exceptional candidates in pursuing curiosity-driven research within the technical, natural, and medical sciences.

📜 About the Fellowship

DARA's Open Fellowships aim to support visionary and transformative research projects that spark new directions in science. The program provides a fully funded fellowship covering salary, tuition fees, and project supplements. Fellows will join a dynamic community of PhD researchers from Danish institutions and various scientific disciplines, fostering collaboration and innovation.

Key Details:

• Date Published: July 5, 2025
• Application Deadline: August 29, 2025
• Category: Fellowship, Fully Funded, PhD, Postdoctoral
• Location: Denmark

🎯 Eligible Scientific Areas

The fellowship supports both fundamental and applied research in the following areas:

• Bioscience & Biomedicine: Molecular biology, genetics, cell biology, disease diagnostics, nutritional sciences, therapeutics, and clinical innovations.
• Natural and Technical Sciences: Physics, chemistry, mathematics, engineering, robotics, and nanotechnology.
• Data and Computer Sciences: Artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, software engineering, and human-computer interaction.
• Biotechnology: Biomanufacturing, synthetic biology, bioprocess engineering, and sustainable bio-based methods in agriculture and industrial production.

Applicants may pursue mono- or interdisciplinary projects that exhibit transformative potential, refine existing paradigms, or lead to tangible societal benefits.

💰 Benefits

The DARA Open PhD Fellowship Summer 2025 Call will award 9 fully funded fellowships, covering the complete costs of a PhD program in Denmark. Each fellowship includes:

• Salary: Up to 1,575,000 DKK for the entire PhD duration (aligned with Danish PhD employment terms).
• Project Supplement: 750,000 DKK for project-related expenses.
• Tuition Fee: Up to 240,000 DKK for PhD enrollment fees.

Additional Benefits:

• Priority access to DARA’s educational and networking opportunities.
• Pairing with an international mentor, an accomplished researcher in a relevant field.

This structure ensures fellows have the resources and professional support needed to conduct high-quality research with transformative potential.

✅ Eligibility Criteria

The fellowship is open to all qualified candidates, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, nationality, or religion. Eligibility requirements include:

• PhD Admission: Applicants must meet the admission criteria for a PhD program in Denmark under the 5+3 model or 4+4 model.
• Supervisor Agreement: Candidates must have an agreement with a principal supervisor (associate professor, professor, or equivalent) at a Danish research institution (including Greenland and Faroe Islands). Co-supervisors from other institutions, including international ones, are allowed.
• Supervisor Limitation: A principal supervisor can only have one active PhD fellowship covered by DARA at any given time.

📝 Application Process

A complete application must include the following documents (in English):

1. Summary of Research (up to 1,500 characters):

   • Concise summary of the proposed project, emphasizing research questions, hypotheses, methods, and potential impact.

2. Project Description (up to 7,500 characters):

   • Detailed outline of the scientific background, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Highlight transformative potential and interdisciplinary aspects.

3. References:

   • List of references used in the project description.

4. Illustrations (optional):

   • Up to 3 illustrations allowed.

5. Motivation Letter (up to 3,000 characters):

   • Personal motivation for pursuing the PhD, relevant experiences, and career aspirations.

6. CV of the Applicant (up to 5,000 characters):

   • Academic background, achievements, skills, and relevant experience.

7. Academic Transcripts:

   • Official transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees (or equivalent). Current students should provide transcripts and a note on expected completion.

8. Supervisor Support Letter and CV:

   • A letter from the principal supervisor endorsing the project and confirming institutional support. Include the supervisor’s CV (maximum 2 pages).

9. CV of International Mentor (optional):

   • If identified, provide a short CV (maximum 2 pages).

10. Research Environment Description (optional, up to 2,500 characters):

    • Description of the department or research unit where the project will be conducted.

Application Portal:

• Apply here.

For questions, contact the DARA Secretariat at info@daracademy.dk.

📅 Application Deadline

August 29, 2025

🌐 Additional Information

For more details, visit the official DARA Fellowship Page.

This opportunity is a unique chance to join a prestigious research community and contribute to groundbreaking advancements in science. Don’t miss the deadline!

• Salary: Up to 1,575,000 DKK to cover the PhD fellow’s salary for the entire duration of the PhD appointment.
• Project Supplement: Each fellowship includes a project supplement of 750,000 DKK.
• Tuition Fee: Up to 240,000 DKK to cover PhD enrollment fees at the host institution.
• Priority access to the academy’s educational and networking opportunities.
• Paired with an international mentor—an accomplished researcher in a relevant field from outside Denmark.