Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader is aimed at providing excellent younger researchers, i.e., researchers who have carried out top class research in their field, with the opportunity to develop and strengthen their research ideas as well as their competencies as independent research leaders of other researchers. The funding instrument also aims at promoting careers, international as well as national mobility among research environments, and to strengthen networks. 

Sapere Aude is targeted at top researchers who intend to gather a group of researchers and/or research students to carry out a research project at a high, international level. Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader furthermore strengthens the possibility for excellent younger researchers to return to a Danish research institution after a research stay abroad.

Evaluation criteria: All DFF proposals are evaluated based on the same four overarching categories of criteria: Potential for originality and breakthrough, Scientific quality and approach, Qualifications and organisation, and Research results and research outputs. In addition, the project must adhere to the purpose and requirements specified for Sapere Aude, including research leadership development and international networking.

Submission deadline: usually mid-October.

For more information, please visit the call website.

Please consult the PlanDisc calendar or the support overview document listed below.

• Your local funding advisor is your first point of contact for support.
• Find more information on which instruments and what type of support F&P offers here (support overview)
• Find our annual wheel of funding here (PlanDisc)

AAU Seed Money can be used to support the preparation of an application, including activities such as proposal writing, meetings with potential consortium partners, and involvement of an external consultant.

AAU Seed Money is available both at faculty level and through AAU’s missions. For details on available funding amounts, application deadlines, and specific faculty requirements, please contact your local funding advisor.

Sapere Aude: DFF-Research Leader is aimed at younger, very talented researchers, who have demonstrated the ability to carry out original research at a high, international level. 

Required PhD age: 3-8 years before the application deadline (after the deduction of relevant leave of absence). If you do not have a PhD degree, you must have obtained equivalent qualifications, e.g., a positive assistant professor assessment (”adjunktbedømmelse”) within 3-8 years before the application deadline.

Previous management experience and mobility will be viewed positively in the assessment of your application.

F&P hosts an annual internal information meeting about Sapere Aude, usually in March or April. We provide an overview of the grant, while DFF council members and successful grantees share their experience.

Additionally, we organize an online roundtable meeting for applicants, with the participation of successful grantees. This usually takes place in August.

Please keep an eye on the events on our website.

We do not offer a course for Sapere Aude. Some departments organize DFF courses or master classes, please ask your local fundraiser about the possibilities. 

Meetings

• We offer a start-up meeting which includes assistance in assessing whether the funding instrument is the right fit for the applicant (including eligibility check) and the research idea, and whether the timing is right. In this first meeting, we also suggest a timeline to ensure a smooth application process.
• Subsequent meetings are planned in collaboration with the applicant.

Tools

• Teams channel
• Annotated templates

Tools for Sapere Aude applications are available in the Funding Toolbox and in the Teams channel.

Review of application 

Fundraising & Project Management offers structured proposal feedback at least twice during the application process, supplemented by continuous advice throughout the writing phase. This includes:

• Two in‑depth reviews of the application, each providing concrete suggestions for changes, additions, clarifications, or strategic considerations.
• Feedback aimed at strengthening coherence, alignment with call expectations, clarity of narrative, and overall competitiveness.

These reviews support the applicant in refining the proposal and ensuring a high quality final submission

We also encourage applicants to ensure peer review of their application draft from their colleagues and research network.

Submission

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative support regarding questions about submission in E-Grant. We assist with general information and any submission issues.

The applicant is responsible for any support letters and budget confirmation documents.

Budget

The budget is managed at the department level, with Fundraising & Project Management providing guidance, recommendations, and alignment support as needed. For further information, please contact your local funding advisor.

Interview support

If an applicant proceeds in the evaluation and is invited to an interview with the Sapere Aude committee, F&P helps with the preparations. This includes feedback on presentation slides, discussion of interview questions, and organization of internal mock interviews. 

The application support process is evaluated by means of an online survey sent to applicants.

No project management is offered from F&P