DDEA PhD Scholarships 2026 in Denmark | DKK 1.1 Million Funding

The Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy (DDEA) is inviting applications for eight 2/3-financed PhD scholarships for candidates interested in advancing research in diabetes, metabolism, and endocrinology.

Each scholarship is worth DKK 1,100,000, covering salary and tuition fees for two years of a three-year PhD period. This provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to pursue doctoral studies at a Danish university while contributing to cutting-edge research in these fields.

Funding Benefits

Successful applicants will receive a 2/3-financed PhD scholarship valued at DKK 1,100,000.

The funding covers:

• Salary for two years of the three-year PhD period
• Tuition fees for the funded period
• Support for pursuing research at a Danish university

The scholarship allows successful candidates to develop their research while working within Denmark’s academic and scientific environment.

Research Areas

Applications are welcome for research projects in any field within:

• Diabetes
• Metabolism
• Endocrinology

Applicants should propose research that demonstrates strong academic quality and potential to contribute to knowledge within their chosen field.

Eligibility Requirements

To apply for the DDEA PhD Scholarship, candidates must meet the programme requirements.

Applicants must:

• Hold a Master’s degree from a Danish university or an equivalent degree from a foreign university approved by the Danish Agency for Higher Education and Science.
• Be applying as a PhD candidate, rather than as a Principal Investigator.
• Not already be enrolled as a PhD student at the time the grant notification is issued on November 26, 2026.
• Have a principal supervisor employed at the faculty of the Danish university where the applicant intends to enrol.
• Have a principal supervisor who conducts research as an associate professor or professor within the relevant subject area.

If an applicant has not yet completed their Master’s examination, they must provide a statement from their Master’s thesis supervisor confirming when the thesis will be submitted and when the examination will take place.

The Master’s degree certificate must subsequently be submitted to the DDEA Secretariat no later than six months after receiving the grant notification.

Important Application Conditions

Applicants may submit an application for only one PhD scholarship per application round across the different DDEA PhD scholarship calls.

Applicants should also communicate with their prospective principal supervisor before applying. A principal investigator can host only one 2/3 DDEA-funded PhD scholar or one two-year DDEA-funded postdoctoral fellow at a time, subject to the conditions specified by DDEA.

Candidates are therefore encouraged to confirm their eligibility and supervisory arrangements before submitting an application.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should:

1. Identify a suitable research area within diabetes, metabolism, or endocrinology.
2. Identify a Danish university and an eligible principal supervisor.
3. Develop a strong PhD research proposal.
4. Confirm that they meet the DDEA eligibility requirements.
5. Prepare the required supporting documents.
6. Submit the application through the official DDEA application system before the deadline.

Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines and funding terms before submitting their application.

Evaluation and Selection

The scholarships are awarded through a competitive selection process.

Applications are assessed according to DDEA’s established evaluation criteria and guidelines. Candidates should therefore ensure that their proposed research demonstrates strong academic quality, relevance to the eligible research areas, and a clear research plan.

The expected date for notification of the grant decision is November 26, 2026.

Application Deadline

The deadline to apply is:

August 18, 2026, at 23:59 CET

Applicants are encouraged to begin preparing their applications well before the deadline to allow sufficient time to coordinate with their proposed supervisor and complete all required materials.

How to Apply

Applications and the full programme guidelines are available through the official Danish Diabetes and Endocrine Academy website.

Read the full guidelines and apply here

Conclusion

The DDEA PhD Scholarships 2026 provide a valuable opportunity for aspiring researchers to pursue doctoral research in diabetes, metabolism, and endocrinology at a Danish university. With eight scholarships available and funding of DKK 1,100,000 per award, the programme can provide significant financial support during two years of a three-year PhD programme.

If your academic interests align with the eligible research areas and you meet the Master’s degree, enrolment, and supervision requirements, this is an opportunity worth considering. Start preparing your research proposal and connect with a potential principal supervisor early, then submit your complete application before August 18, 2026.

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