The Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS) at Aarhus University in Denmark has opened applications for the AIAS-AUFF Fellowships 2027–2029, offering up to 10 fellowship opportunities for talented, curiosity-driven researchers from around the world.
The fellowship is designed for researchers across all academic and research disciplines who are interested in pursuing innovative, interdisciplinary research in an international and collaborative academic environment. Successful fellows will join AIAS in Aarhus, Denmark, where they will have access to an intellectually stimulating research community, office space, academic activities, conferences, workshops, and relevant research environments across Aarhus University.
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is particularly suited to researchers who want to develop their research independently while also engaging with scholars from different disciplines and exploring opportunities for collaboration at Aarhus University.
The fellowship starts on 1 September 2027 and lasts for 23 months. Applicants must have between 2 and 10 years of research career experience after completing their PhD by the application deadline.
Who Can Apply for the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship?
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is an international opportunity open to researchers of any nationality. The call welcomes applications from researchers working in all research disciplines and areas, making it suitable for applicants from different academic and professional research backgrounds.
To qualify, applicants must meet several key requirements:
- They must be curiosity-driven researchers with a strong interest in developing their research.
- They must have 2 to 10 years of career experience after completing their PhD by the application deadline.
- They can come from any nationality.
- They can apply from any country or continent, provided they satisfy the fellowship’s eligibility requirements.
- Their research must demonstrate an interdisciplinary dimension, either through an interdisciplinary research project or a clear interdisciplinary research interest.
- Applicants should have, or identify, relevant opportunities for collaboration at Aarhus University.
- They must satisfy the fellowship’s mobility requirement concerning previous residence or main work activity in Denmark.
Importantly, the source does not specify any race, ethnic-group restriction, or continental limitation. Instead, it explicitly states that applications are welcomed from researchers of any nationality and from all research disciplines.
About the AIAS-AUFF Fellowships
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is hosted by the Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies (AIAS), an institute within Aarhus University that brings researchers together across disciplines, academic seniority and nationalities.
The fellowship provides researchers with an opportunity to step away from the routine demands of their everyday research environment and dedicate substantial time to developing their research in a stimulating academic setting.
AIAS describes itself as an environment for intellectual exploration, bringing together excellent researchers who want to advance their work through interdisciplinary, international and collaborative engagement.
The fellowship is therefore not limited to researchers working in a particular subject area. Instead, it encourages applications across research fields and themes, creating opportunities for researchers to encounter different methodologies, perspectives and approaches to academic inquiry.
Why Apply for the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship?
There are several reasons why researchers may find the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship particularly valuable.
1. Join an international research community
Fellows become part of an international academic community at AIAS, where researchers from different disciplines and countries interact and exchange ideas.
This environment can expose fellows to new approaches to research and create opportunities for intellectual collaboration beyond their immediate academic specialization.
2. Develop interdisciplinary research
Interdisciplinary research is a central feature of the fellowship.
AIAS encourages researchers to cross traditional academic boundaries and engage with scholars working in other research areas. This can help fellows develop new research questions, identify alternative methodologies and explore connections between disciplines.
The fellowship is therefore particularly relevant for researchers whose work naturally intersects with multiple academic fields.
3. Access Aarhus University’s research environment
Fellows will be affiliated with relevant research environments at Aarhus University.
This provides an opportunity to connect their work with established academic communities, research departments and research hubs within the university.
Applicants are specifically expected to identify relevant collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University as part of their application.
4. Participate in academic activities
AIAS fellows can participate in a range of academic activities, including
- Academic training activities
- Conferences
- Workshops
- Institute events
- Collaborative activities with researchers from different disciplines
Fellows are also welcome to join, organize and contribute to events and activities at AIAS.
5. Work in a stimulating academic environment
AIAS aims to provide an environment where researchers can focus on developing their work while engaging with colleagues from different academic backgrounds.
The institute’s interdisciplinary structure is intended to encourage discussion, creativity and the exchange of ideas.
6. Strengthen academic and career development
The fellowship offers a career-empowering environment in which fellows can develop important competencies for academic development.
The source also highlights tailored activities designed to support researchers in developing skills and perspectives that can contribute to their longer-term academic careers.
Research Areas and Disciplines
One of the major advantages of the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is its broad disciplinary scope.
The fellowship welcomes applications from all research disciplines. AIAS operates as an interdisciplinary platform that connects researchers across Aarhus University, including different departments and research hubs.
This means the opportunity is not restricted to a particular field such as social sciences, engineering, medicine, humanities, natural sciences or technology.
Researchers should instead focus on demonstrating the quality and relevance of their proposed research while explaining how their work can benefit from an interdisciplinary environment and potential collaboration at Aarhus University.
AIAS emphasizes that its fellows work across different research areas and themes, helping to create an environment where academic boundaries can be crossed and new ideas can emerge.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements before beginning their applications.
PhD and career experience requirement
Applicants must have between 2 and 10 years of career experience after completing their PhD by the fellowship application deadline.
This is an important requirement because the fellowship is specifically intended for researchers who have already established themselves in the post-PhD stage of their careers but are still within the specified career-experience window.
Nationality requirement
There is no nationality restriction stated in the call.
Researchers from any nationality are encouraged to apply.
Consequently, the opportunity is open internationally rather than being limited to researchers from Denmark, Europe, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Oceania or any other specific region.
Interdisciplinary requirement
Applicants should have an interdisciplinary research project and/or interdisciplinary research interest.
This means applicants should be able to demonstrate how their research connects with ideas, methods, perspectives or expertise beyond a single academic discipline.
Collaboration requirement
Applicants should have, or identify, relevant collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University.
Prospective applicants should therefore familiarize themselves with relevant research environments at the university and consider where meaningful academic connections could be developed.
Mobility requirement
Applicants must also satisfy AIAS’s mobility requirement.
Under this requirement, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main work activity in Denmark for more than 12 months during the two years immediately preceding the application deadline.
This condition should be carefully considered by anyone who has recently lived or worked in Denmark.
What Does the Fellowship Provide?
Successful AIAS-AUFF fellows will receive several forms of support during their fellowship.
Salary
Fellows receive a salary based on seniority.
The employment conditions and wages are regulated through Danish collective union agreements.
This means the fellowship is structured as an employment-based research fellowship rather than simply an unpaid academic residency.
Relocation travel costs
The fellowship provides coverage for relocation travel costs, helping successful candidates move to Denmark for the fellowship.
Relocation assistance
In addition to relocation travel costs, fellows receive relocation assistance.
This can help researchers transition to their new academic environment in Aarhus.
Office space
Fellows are provided with office space at AIAS, giving them a dedicated environment in which to conduct their research and participate in institute activities.
Academic activities
Fellows can participate in AIAS’s academic training activities, conferences and workshops.
They can also engage with events and activities hosted by the institute and contribute to the academic community.
Affiliation with Aarhus University research environments
Fellows will be affiliated with relevant research environments at Aarhus University.
This affiliation can facilitate engagement with researchers and academic communities connected to their area of research.
Fellowship Duration and Start Date
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowships will begin on:
1 September 2027
The fellowship duration is
23 months
The opportunity is therefore designed to provide fellows with an extended period in which to pursue their research, collaborate with other scholars and participate in the academic life of AIAS and Aarhus University.
Application Deadline
The deadline to apply for the AIAS-AUFF Fellowships 2027–2029 is
3 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET
Applicants should ensure that their online application is completed and submitted before the stated deadline.
The call opened in August 2026, followed by an evaluation and selection period running from November 2026 to February 2027.
Applicants are expected to receive the outcome of the selection process in March 2027, while successful fellows will begin their fellowships on 1 September 2027.
AIAS-AUFF Fellowship Application Timeline
The official timeline is as follows:
- Call opens: August 2026
- Application deadline: 3 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET
- Evaluation and selection: November 2026 to February 2027
- Applicants receive answers: March 2027
- Fellowships begin: 1 September 2027
Applicants should pay particular attention to the deadline and time zone because applications submitted after the closing time may not be considered.
How to Apply for the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship
Applications must be submitted online through the GrantOne application system.
Applicants should consult the official Guide for Applicants before preparing and submitting their application. The guide contains detailed information about:
- Application requirements
- The structure of the online application system
- Selection criteria
- The selection process
- Other relevant instructions for applicants
Because the fellowship places emphasis on interdisciplinary research and collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University, applicants should carefully develop their research proposal and clearly demonstrate why AIAS and Aarhus University are an appropriate environment for their work.
Application portal: GrantOne
Official call: AIAS-AUFF Call for Fellowships 2027–2029
Applicant guidance: AIAS-AUFF Guidelines 2027–2029
Tips for Preparing a Strong Application
Although the source does not prescribe additional application strategies beyond its stated requirements, prospective applicants can use the fellowship’s eligibility criteria to guide their preparation.
Demonstrate interdisciplinary relevance
Because interdisciplinary research is explicitly required, applicants should clearly explain the interdisciplinary dimension of their project or research interests.
The proposal should make it easy for reviewers to understand how different disciplines, perspectives or methodologies contribute to the research.
Identify collaboration opportunities at Aarhus University
Applicants are expected to have or identify relevant collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University.
It is therefore important to consider which research environments, departments, researchers or research hubs could be relevant to the proposed work.
Clearly position your post-PhD experience
Applicants should ensure that their application clearly establishes that they fall within the required 2–10 years of post-PhD career experience by the application deadline.
Review the official application guide
Before submitting an application, candidates should carefully read the official Guide for Applicants to understand the application structure, requirements, selection criteria and selection process.
Allow sufficient time for submission
Because the deadline is fixed at 12:00 noon CET on 3 November 2026, applicants should avoid waiting until the final hours to submit their applications.
About Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies
The Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies brings researchers together across disciplines, academic seniority and nationality.
AIAS offers fellowships to excellent researchers from different academic disciplines, allowing them to pursue cutting-edge research in conditions intended to support high-quality academic work.
The institute’s interdisciplinary environment is built around the idea that interaction with researchers from different fields can introduce new perspectives and approaches.
Through daily encounters with colleagues from diverse research disciplines, fellows may gain fresh insights into their own research, explore different methods and develop new research questions and ideas.
About Aarhus University
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship is hosted at Aarhus University in Denmark.
The Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies is located on the university’s campus in Aarhus, providing fellows with access to an academic environment that connects international scholars with researchers across the university.
The institute’s location within Aarhus University supports its role as an interdisciplinary platform and enables fellows to interact with research communities beyond their immediate field.
Visit HERE for more information about the AIAS-AUFF Fellowships 2027–2029.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship fully open to international applicants?
Yes. The call states that applications are welcomed from researchers of any nationality.
Which academic disciplines are eligible?
The fellowship welcomes applications from all research disciplines and research areas.
How many fellowships are available?
The call offers up to 10 AIAS-AUFF Fellowships.
How long does the fellowship last?
The fellowship lasts for 23 months.
When does the fellowship begin?
The fellowship begins on 1 September 2027.
How much post-PhD experience is required?
Applicants must have 2 to 10 years of career experience after completing their PhD by the application deadline.
Do applicants need to satisfy a mobility requirement?
Yes. Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main work activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the two years immediately before the application deadline.
Is an interdisciplinary research project required?
Applicants must have an interdisciplinary research project and/or interest.
Do applicants need to identify collaboration opportunities?
Yes. Applicants should have or identify relevant collaboration possibilities at Aarhus University.
What financial support is provided?
The fellowship includes a salary based on seniority, relocation travel costs and relocation assistance.
Will fellows have office space?
Yes. Fellows are offered office space at AIAS.
Can fellows participate in conferences and workshops?
Yes. Fellows can participate in academic training activities, conferences and workshops at AIAS.
When is the application deadline?
The deadline is 3 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET.
When will applicants receive the results?
According to the published timeline, applicants will receive answers in March 2027.
Conclusion
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowships 2027–2029 provide an opportunity for talented post-PhD researchers from around the world to spend 23 months pursuing research within an international, interdisciplinary and collaborative academic environment at Aarhus University in Denmark.
With up to 10 fellowships available, the programme welcomes researchers from all research disciplines and any nationality who have between 2 and 10 years of post-PhD career experience, meet the mobility requirement, demonstrate interdisciplinary interests and can identify relevant collaboration opportunities at Aarhus University.
The fellowship provides a salary based on seniority, relocation travel costs, relocation assistance, office space and opportunities to participate in academic training, conferences and workshops. Fellows also become affiliated with relevant research environments at Aarhus University.
Researchers interested in applying should carefully review the official application requirements and Guide for Applicants and ensure that their applications clearly address the interdisciplinary and collaborative dimensions of their proposed research.
The application deadline is 3 November 2026 at 12:00 noon CET, with the fellowships scheduled to begin on 1 September 2027.
For researchers seeking an international platform to deepen their research, build interdisciplinary connections and develop their academic careers, the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship represents a significant opportunity to conduct research within one of Denmark’s leading university environments.
For more global Fellowship opportunities, visit OFY HERE.
