News from EPICUR

Apply for funding to develop EPICUR learning elements

It is now possible for the second and final time to apply for funding to develop EPICUR learning elements.

In November 2024, the Rectorate at SDU made it possible to apply for financial support to develop learning elements within the framework of the EPICUR alliance.

This resulted in 12 applications, and the Rectorate decided to support 11 of them with 50,000 kroner each.The applications focused on many differentinitiatives, from organising summer school courses and new teaching methods to trips to develop potential collaborations and joint degree programmes.

Now the second call is open:

What kinds of projects can receive funding?

Funding is available for activities that:

1. Develop or adapt courses to be offered within the EPICUR alliance.
2. Promote innovative and transnational learning activities across the EPICUR partner universities.

The learning activity should:

• Enable SDU students to participate in and benefit from courses with an EPICUR learning element.

• Enable SDU students from EPICUR partner universities to sign up for SDU courses.

Funding overview

Total pool: DKK 800,000
Autumn 2024: DKK 550,000
Spring 2025: DKK 250,000
Maximum grant per activity: DKK 50,000
Application deadline: 15 March 2025.
The funds will be disbursed as soon as possible after approval.

Application

Complete the application form and declaration of intent, and send both no later than 15 March 2025 to: epicur@sdu.dk
Do you have any questions? Write to epicur@sdu.dk or contact Ida Thøstesen on +45 6550 8797.

Qualification requirements

To qualify for funding, activities must:
Develop courses to be offered within the EPICUR alliance in one of the following formats:

• Open courses
• Integrated learning experiences
• Integrated courses
• Horizontal Courses
• Joint Degrees

• Include joint development or teaching with at least one other EPICUR partner.

• Align with SDU’s strategic goals of internationalisation and teaching quality.

• Be offered (or at least initiated) by 31 October 2026 (the end of the current funding period).

Evaluation

• The applications will be assessed based on quality and relevance.

• Only applications aimed at actual EPICUR activities or learning elements will be considered.

Priority will be given to:

• Projects involving both course development and teaching with another EPICUR university

• Projects involving a larger number of students

• Projects that aim to involve SDU students via their current degree programme (integrated learning elements or courses).

EPICUR course formats

1. Open courses:

SDU courses that are open to both SDU and EPICUR students and are listed in the joint online course catalogue (e.g. electives, short-term education programmes). The courses must be at least 3 ECTS and may include:

• Summer schools (max. 3 weeks).

• Online (synchronous or asynchronous).

• Hybrid or blended formats (with minimal in-person participation).

2. Integrated learning experiences:

• Joint learning activities in courses offered by at least two EPICUR universities (e.g. online exercises, projects, fieldwork, guest lectures). These activities should ideally be co-developed and co-taught or facilitated jointly by the participating lecturers.

• Each participating university will have its own course, but some elements in the courses will be shared.

3. Integrated courses:

• Joint courses that are integrated into degree programmes at two or more EPICUR universities. These are co-developed and co-taught.

4. Horizontal Courses:

• Introductory courses, typically for first-year bachelor students, which are offered across faculties or targeted degree programmes. They are often 1 ECTS courses, but this may vary.

5. Joint Degrees:

• Fully integrated bachelor’s or master’s programmes offered jointly by EPICUR universities.

A learning activity can be an integrated course for SDU students and offered as an ‘open course’ on the EPICUR platform for other EPICUR students.

EPICUR SEED Funding Scheme 2024 – and 2025

The EPICUR Seed Funding Scheme is a joint, coordinated initiative established to support research collaborations among EPICUR partner universities. It aims to distribute funds more effectively than if each university were to independently encourage cooperation within EPICUR.

A call for applications for one-year grants among the nine partner universities in the alliance, with a deadline of 30 September, resulted in 17 applications to the EPICUR Seed Funding 2024 from more than 120 researchers. SDU was involved in ten of them.

More than 1.5 million euros in funding was applied for from a budget of 625,000 euros in the 2024 Seed Funding pool.

The EPICUR Executive Board decided to award funding to seven projects for a total of 443,570 euros, corresponding to a 41% success rate. The projects cover topics such as sustainability, healthcare and new technology.

SDU is involved in four of the seven selected projects, and we look forward to following their development over the coming year.

New opportunity for seed funding for SDU researchers

The EPICUR Executive Board has decided to continue the initiative in 2025, with a new call for applications which is expected to be published in April or May.

The EPICUR Summer School: Inform your students about international opportunities

Through EPICUR, SDU students have access to a wide range of opportunities to add an international dimension to their studies, including online courses, summer and winter courses, language courses and PhD stays. Applications for 2025 summer courses are open until 10 March.

Please inform your students about this opportunity and refer them to epicur@sdu.dk if they have any questions.

Reminder: students must apply for credit approval from their study board if they want credits for the course. EPICUR courses can also be taken as extracurricular activities.
See the options here .

2025 EPICUR Forum at SDU

The fifth edition of the EPICUR Forum will take place at SDU on 2 and 3 June.

Participants from the nine partner universities, as well as other European alliances and associated partners, will have the opportunity to participate in panel discussions, workshops and thematic debates. This year’s theme is Sustainable Transformation. Staff from EPICUR universities are welcome to attend. Associate partners, regional stakeholders and other alliance members will also be invited to participate in the forum.

Much more information about EPICUR Forum 2025 will soon be available on SDUnet and in the Rectorate’s Newsletter.