The Center of Excellence (CoE) program is the primary funding mechanism and the foundation’s flagship. A center grant is large and flexible, and a center may have a lifetime of up to 10 years divided into two periods of six and four years respectively. Only top researchers with the most ambitious ideas will be awarded a CoE.

The objective of the CoE program is to strengthen Danish research by providing the best possible working conditions and organizational set-up for selected top researchers. Centers may be established within or across all fields of research.

Centers of Excellence consist of units based at research institutions (the vast majority at universities) sharing a common idea or vision and an overall and clearly defined set of research objectives.

There is no fixed formula for creating a CoE. The centers may differ in size and mode of organization, depending on their subject and scope. Some centers become rather large during the grant period, employing more than 60 people divided into several research teams, while others have fewer than 15 members. The center must have a well-defined framework for cooperation.

Depending on the individual requirements of the proposed Center of Excellence, the applicant can apply for a grant ranging from 30 million DKK to 80 million DKK incl. overhead for a six-year period.

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.

A Center of Excellence is headed by a center leader (the applicant). The center leader must be a distinguished researcher with excellent scientific accomplishments. The center leader must also be a visionary leader able to create a dynamic and thriving research environment. 

The foundation expects the center leader to be fully committed to the Center of Excellence for the full duration of the grant. At least 80 percent of the center leader’s full-time employment should be reserved for the center’s research area and activities.

Co-applicants of the proposed center bring high-level scientific competencies within their respective fields, contribute substantially to the research and play an active and critical role in the success of the proposed endeavor. Co-applicants are expected to be scientists of high standing, and each co-applicant is expected to devote a specified percentage of their time to the center, if funding is granted. 

The center leader and the co-applicants constitute the core group for the proposed Center of Excellence and are expected to work closely together to lead the team. When submitting, the applicant must have carefully considered the range of commitments of the co-applicants and the diversity of the core group in terms of age, gender, and other relevant aspects.

Fundraising & Project Management organizes an open information meeting with the foundation.

We also organize internal workshops for applicants.

Please keep an eye on the events on our website.

We do not offer courses for this instrument, however we do organize workshops for applicants, with the participation of successful CoE leaders etc.

Fundraising & Project Management offers support throughout the entire application process.  

We also offer a follow-up meeting regarding application outcome on the initiative of the applicant.

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

Fundraising & Project Management offers preparation of a timeline to ensure a smooth application process. 

Tools for CoE is available in the Funding Toolbox.

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.

Pre-proposal (step 1):

• At least two reviews of the application, including concrete suggestions/additions/considerations.

Full proposal (if invited for step 2):

• At least two reviews of the application, including concrete suggestions/additions/considerations.
• Internal AAU panel review.
• Interview preparation: Mock interviews with successful grantees, feedback meetings, FAQ lists. 

Submission

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative support regarding questions about submission in Funding and Tenders Portal.

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

A DNRF Center of Excellence grant is large and flexible. The grant may cover expenses that are directly attributable to the center, such as salaries, travel costs and conferences, operational costs, and equipment, and that are relevant and necessary in order to carry out the research plan. 

It is possible to request funding within a budget range from 30 million DKK to 80 million DKK incl. overhead for a six-year period. Overhead should be included in the budget; 44 percent.

Please observe the following general guidelines:

• Ph.D. students, postdocs, assistant professors, and equivalent non-permanent research positions may be fully funded by the DNRF grant.
• The DNRF grant can fund a maximum of one full-time administrative employee for the duration of the Center of Excellence.
• To a limited extent, technical staff can be funded by the DNRF grant.
• Any salaries for tenured positions cannot be covered by the DNRF grant.

Interview support

If an applicant proceeds in the evaluation and is invited to an interview, 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 after the deadline by means of an online survey to the applicants.

No project management is offered from F&P