Grand solutions supports projects with a high risk profile where significant investments are needed to create concrete, groundbreaking results. The projects must have a clear societal or economic potential in Denmark.

IFD Grand Solution prioritize solutions within politically selected themes, such as:

• green solutions within climate, environment, nature (incl. land use and surveillance)
• health and welfare technology
• quantum and space-based communication
• defense and security
• utilization of space data in combination with artificial intelligence, digital twins and supercomputers.

For further detail, see the Grand Solutions website.

Please let us know if you need support with your Phase 1 proposal no later than: January 15th

Applications that do not meet this deadline will not be guaranteed support from Fundraising & Project Management.

The application process takes place in two phases:

• Phase 1: First, you submit a short expression of interest, where you describe your project idea.
• Phase 2: If your idea is considered promising, you will be invited by IFD to submit a more detailed application.

Around the first week of June, you will know if you are invited to submit a phase 2 proposal. Please inform us as soon as possible if you need support for a phase 2 proposal.

• Your local funding advisor is your first point of contact for support.
• In Fundraising & Project Management, team National Collaborative has extensive experience with IFD Grand Solution and offers advice on proposal development for this call.
• Find more information on which instruments and what type of support F&P offers here
• Find our annual wheel of funding here

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.

Any legal entity in Denmark or abroad can be a project participant and receive funding from Innovation Fund Denmark e.g.:

• Businesses
• Research institutions
• Public institutions

The profile of a potential coordinator should be based on the following criteria:

Has a strong project idea with clear relevance to the Grand Solution call topics. The proposed solution should have large societal impact and a strong business case.

• Minimum associate professor. CV, including list of publications, is not vital.
• Project management experience (not necessarily from a Grand Solution project).
• Is up to date with international state-of-the-art in his/her field of research.
• Is not necessarily a leader in his/her field of research but should be internationally recognized within the field.
• Has experience in writing applications in English (not necessarily Grand Solution projects).
• Has time, as well as the desire and willingness, to be responsible for a Grand Solution project.
• Has aligned his/her resources with the head of department.
• Has a network at national level (and international) or is interested in creating it (i.e., preferably a good networker).
• Agrees to be the primary penholder in the application.

There are not regular information meetings for each Grand Solutions call, but IFD publishes a webinar on Grand Solution and Q&A material on their website.

There are no courses available at the moment.

Fundraising & Project Management offers:

• Assistance in assessing whether Grand Solution is the right fit for you and the research idea.
• Preparation of a timeline to ensure a smooth application process. 
• Two reviews of the application, including concrete suggestions for changes/additions/considerations.
• Review of the application budget. 
• Assistance with submission of proposal in E-Grant
• Annexes: Gather annexes from all partners and help with AAU's annexes.
• Set up of Teams group for all partners with AAU internal and external channels.

Meetings

Fundraising & Project Management offers:

• Get Started meeting - At the meeting an agreement is made on support/expectations and the involvement of both Fundraising & Project Management and the local funding support team at department level. In addition, the applicant will be advised on the time schedule and the application process. If necessary, a brief introduction to Innovation Fund Denmark and Grand Solution can be provided.
• 360 degree inspection meeting – At the meeting the applicant pitches the project idea based on a 360 degree template, and the consortium, value creation, and implementation are discussed
• Bi-weekly status meetings until submission

Tools

Fundraising & Project Management offers a range of tools that are helpful when applying for Grand Solution, such as:

• Annotated application template, which includes recommendations, clarifications, and examples embedded in the template text.
• Budget template
• Templates for Gantt and Pert charts
• Work package templates
• Competitor analysis matrix
• Risk assessment matrix
• IPR standard descriptions
• Business model canvas

Tools for Grand Solution are 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.

Submission

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative support regarding questions about submission in E-Grant.

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

The application support process is evaluated twice a year by means of an online survey to coordinators. 

Fundraising & Project Management offers administrative project management to Grand Solution projects. This includes: 

• Leading the process regarding the Investment Agreement with IFD and Collaboration Agreement with the project partners
• Sparring with the coordinator during the entire project period functioning as the Project Manager, including serve as the Project Administrator required by IFD.
• Development of project templates (for reporting, meetings etc.)
• Assistance with reporting (annual scientific and financial report, final report, investment review etc.) to IFD including uploading to E-Grant (IFDs online tool used for administrating the grants)
• Guidance to partners regarding IDF rules and regarding financial reporting requirements from IFD, and collection of annual or bi-annual financial reports to be submitted to IFD via E-Grant
• Development of a data management plan with coordinator and partners
• Organizing of project- and Steering Committee meetings (agenda, minutes, etc. including submission of this in E-Grant ) 
• Ensuring that all dissemination activities comply with IDF regulation.
• Liaising with IFD and partners
• Steering possible precedence, amendments, notices and assignment with IFD and partners if changes are needed to project plan or budget.   

Budget for project management: 3 PM (7.500 EUR) per year + 25% overhead (remaining OH (19%) goes to the department) + travels.