Discovery Grant

Do you have an idea for a new concept or product that you have never had the time or opportunity to test out? Then the Discovery Grant could be the spark to ignite something new.

SDU's Discovery Grant is for researchers at SDU to fund the advancement of new innovative ideas and concepts with commercial potential. Each grant is worth DKK 75,000 (+10 % project fee).

The Discovery Grant is intended to explore unconventional angles, investigate the feasibility of a technical solution, or give an innovative idea some focused attention. In other words, projects that involve high risk and low certainty of guaranteed outcomes.

SDU aims to use these grants to encourage the development of innovative solutions with the potential to address challenges in the surrounding society. Because even extraordinary ideas sometimes need a little kick-start.

You apply for a Discovery Grant by completing this form. The form outlines the details of your project under four headlines: Discovery Idea & Novelty, Discovery Plan, Impact & Outcome, Budget & Execution.

Your progress will be saved automatically, so you can leave the webpage and return later. Make sure to use the same browser and do not clear your browser history.

If you are collaborating on or need to share the application, you can work on a draft using this template before submitting it through the form. Note that character space is limited.
A Discovery Grant is available to SDU employees only.

Each applicant can submit only one application per round, and applications with significant overlap with existing projects will not be funded. The grant cannot be used for projects already in SDU RIOs commercialisation portfolio.
There is no limit to what a Discovery Grant can be used for, as long as it is relevant to achieve the expected insights and outcomes of the project.

A Discovery grant can be used for:

Concept Development: e.g., salary, travel, or accommodation.

Prototype Development: e.g., materials or equipment.

Market or User Research: e.g., customer workshops, consultancy support, or reports.

The grant cannot be used for research or teaching activities. Though, the results of the work funded by the grant may subsequently be used in research or teaching contexts. Be especially attentive to this when filling out the application.
Applications are not open at the moment.

There are grants available twice a year. Once in spring and once in fall.
Each Discovery Grant is a one-time amount of DKK 75,000 + 10% overhead towards SDU project fee.

Grant recipients must report their use of the funding at a meeting with an SDU RIO business developer no later than six months after the grant is awarded. You must be able to keep the project details confidential until the reporting has been completed. Grant recipients who fail to report will be ineligible to apply for funding again. Allocation decisions will be made following a confidential evaluation by SDU RIO Commercialisation. Decisions on grant allocation are final and cannot be appealed.

All applications are confidential and will not be shared outside SDU RIOs Commercialisation team, unless otherwise agreed with the applicant(s).