The Danish Advanced Research Academy (DARA) invites proposals for its Open Fellowships for PhD research beginning summer 2025. This initiative supports exceptional doctoral projects with high transformative potential projects that challenge established assumptions, pioneer unconventional hypotheses, or introduce novel methodologies and technologies. With a substantial grant of up to 2,565,000 DKK, this fellowship offers comprehensive funding and a vibrant research community designed to propel scientific innovation.
What Is the DARA Open Fellowship?
The DARA Open Fellowship Summer 2025 is a fully funded doctoral award aimed at researchers in technical, natural, and medical sciences. DARA seeks groundbreaking ideas ranging from fundamental scientific discoveries to practical innovations with direct societal impact. This fellowship aligns with DARA’s mission to accelerate science that transcends traditional boundaries, fosters innovation, and promotes sustainability.
DARA welcomes both mono-disciplinary and interdisciplinary proposals in areas such as bioscience, biomedicine, physics, chemistry, engineering, computer science, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and more. The academy supports proposals with the potential to open new avenues in science, redefine existing paradigms, or generate tangible benefits for people and the environment.
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Fellowship Funding and Benefits:
Each selected fellow receives a fully funded package totaling up to 2,565,000 DKK, covering:
· Salary Allocation (up to 1,575,000 DKK): Covers the doctoral stipend, following standard institutional terms.
· Project Supplement (750,000 DKK): To cover research-related expenses such as equipment, materials, travel, and conferences.
· Tuition Coverage (up to 240,000 DKK): Covers tuition fees at a Danish host university.
· International Mentorship: Each fellow is paired with a recognized researcher from outside Denmark.
· Academic Training & Networking: Priority access to DARA’s workshops, seminars, and annual symposium.
· Community Engagement: Integration into the DARA Academy, connecting you to a community of high-potential researchers across disciplines.
Up to nine fellowships will be awarded in this round, with PhD commencements between 1 February and 15 June 2026.
Who can apply for it?
DARA is committed to diversity and inclusivity. The call is open to all qualified researchers, regardless of nationality, background, or identity, provided they meet the following:
· PhD Eligibility:
Must meet Danish admission criteria under the 5+3 or 4+4 PhD system.
· Supervisory Agreement:
Must have an agreement with a principal supervisor at an accredited Danish (including Greenland or Faroe Islands) university or research institution. Supervisors must hold positions such as Associate Professor or Professor and can oversee only one active DARA fellowship at a time.
· Co-supervision:
Optional co-supervisors domestic or international are welcome but do not count toward the supervisor cap.
Which Research Qualifies?
DARA encourages projects that reflect one or more of the following:
· Offer radical innovation in hypotheses or methodologies.
· Seek to challenge conventional scientific paradigms.
· Promote interdisciplinary research, combining multiple scientific domains.
· Generate data or applications with significant societal or environmental benefits.
Advance knowledge in fields such as:
· Biosciences/Biomedicine: molecular biology, translational research, clinical innovation.
· Technical/Natural Sciences: physics, chemistry, robotics, nanotechnology.
· Data Science & AI: machine learning, cybersecurity, software engineering, human computer interaction.
· Biotechnology/Synthetic Biology: bio-manufacturing, sustainable systems, industrial bio-processes.
There are no predefined priority areas; proposals are evaluated on innovation, rigor, feasibility, and potential impact.
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Why Apply for this Fellowship Program?
· Salary, tuition, and research costs fully covered.
· Encourages creative ideas and transformative science.
· Collaboration with top researchers and a robust academic community.
· Training, seminars, and interdisciplinary events strengthen your future impact.
Required Application Documents:
· Research Summary (1,500 characters).
· Project Description (7,500 characters).
· Select up to three supporting illustrations or tables (optional).
· References.
· Motivation Letter (3,000 characters).
· Applicant CV (5,000 characters).
· Academic Transcripts.
· Supervisor Support Letter & Supervisor CV (2 pages).
· International Mentor CV (optional, 2 pages).
· Research Environment Description (optional, 2,500 characters).
Evaluation Process:
DARA’s evaluation is a single-stage, merit-based review conducted by international experts across relevant disciplines. Proposals spanning multiple fields are reviewed by respective experts. Each submission receives at least two independent assessments under these criteria:
· Excellence of the Candidate.
· Research Quality and Novelty.
· Feasibility and Host Environment.
· Potential to generate new knowledge, contribute to health, sustainability, or technology.
Decisions are final. Unsuccessful candidates receive brief notification; due to high application volume, detailed feedback may not be available.
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Application Process to apply for DARA Fellowship:
All applications must be submitted via DARA’s online application portal. Email or paper submissions are not accepted. To ensure completeness:
· Login/account setup in the portal.
· Selection of applicable scientific fields.
Application Deadline and Timeline:
· Application Deadline: 29 August 2025.
· Notification of Results: December 2025.
· Earliest Start Date: 1 February 2026.
· Latest Start Date: 15 June 2026.
· Incomplete or late submissions will be administratively rejected.
Conclusion:
The DARA Open Fellowship Call Summer 2025 offers a rare and compelling opportunity for doctoral researchers to advance pioneering ideas in science. By joining this program, you gain not only financial support but also mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and access to a dynamic research network in Denmark. If your research can challenge norms, advance knowledge, or contribute to long-term societal benefits apply by 29 August 2025. So to apply and know more visit the DARA Open Fellowship Call Summer 2025 official link here.