Danish Council for Independent Research Grants 2017, Denmark

Project description

The length of your project description must not exceed 5 A4 pages excl. references, and it must be drawn up using the DFF–Project Description template, in accordance with the guidelines in section 3.3.

The project description must indicate how your project will cover new scientific ground in relation to your PhD project. You must also state how the project will contribute to the further development of your competencies. In addition, the project description must outline the scientific environment in which the project will be carried out, including an account of why the chosen environment will be beneficial to the proposed activities. The project description must also outline the nature of the specific and binding research collaboration.

Application form and appendices

Your application must be submitted via the E-grant system with the following appendices enclosed in PDF format:

• Project description, using the template DFF–Project Description (see section 3.3) must be maximum 5 A4-pages (including figures and tables) excluding references/bibliography

• Applicant’s CV (see section 3.3) – please note that the precise date and year for obtaining your PhD must be stated in the relevant field of the E-grant form

• List of publications for applicant (see section 3.3). If you have no publications yet, please include this information in the relevant appendix

• PhD diploma, or alternatively, documentation of: a) acceptance of the thesis for defence, b) a positive assistant professorship evaluation (“adjunktbedømmelse”), c) qualifications equivalent to a PhD, achieved in another way, or d) a declaration from your supervisor stating the expected date of submission within 6 months after the application deadline (PhD students). If you apply to DFF | Humanities, you must also enclose your PhD evaluation. If you have not yet received your PhD evaluation at the time of your application, or will not receive such an evaluation you must instead enclose a brief summary (1-2 pages) of your PhD thesis if you apply to DFF │ Humanities

• A written statement from the host institution in the country where the project will be carried out. The statement must confirm that the research project can take place at the host institution and must include a brief description of the nature of the collaboration and the main activities planned

• You, as applicant, must sign the template “DFF-budget confirmation”.

Applicant requirements

Researchers who have a PhD or are expected to obtain a PhD within 6 months after the application deadline, or have obtained equivalent qualifications (such as a positive assistant professorship evaluation “adjunktbedømmelse”), may apply for a DFF-International Postdoctoral Grant. Your PhD must have been awarded by a Danish research institution.

DFF emphasises that applicants are at the beginning of their research careers. Thus, calculated from the application deadline, no more than 3 years must have elapsed since you obtained your PhD.

Leaves of absence such as maternity/paternity leave, illness or family care leave, leave for military service, humanitarian aid work, etc. will be taken into account. In addition, specific scientific/academic circumstances may be taken into account. Examples include clinical stays or similar activities which can be considered a necessary step in a career path, but where the time for research has been very limited. For applicants who have been on maternity or paternity leave after obtaining their PhD, the Council will allow for an extended period of time since the degree was obtained. The extended period is calculated by multiplying the actual number of leave months by factor 2. The exact period of the maternity/paternity leave (start and end date), must be stated in the applicant’s CV.

The application must be submitted by the applicant, and the Council expects that the project description has been formulated personally by the applicant him-/herself.

As a PhD student you may apply, provided that you attach a declaration from your supervisor stating that your thesis will be submitted within 6 months of the application deadline. If you are awarded a postdoctoral grant, but subsequently fail to submit your PhD thesis within the given deadline, the grant will be annulled.

Please note that your PhD diploma must be submitted to the Danish Agency for Science, Technology and Innovation before the first instalment can take place.

The application

You can apply for a DFF-International Postdoctoral Grant for a period of 2 years. As part of these 2 years, a maximum of 6 consecutive months (either at the start or the end of the project period) can be spent at a Danish research institution.