Discovery Grant

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

SDU offers up to 10 Discovery Grants to researchers at SDU with an idea for an innovative concept, business idea, product, or service based on their research. Each grant is worth DKK 75,000.

Applications are open from March 3rd 2025 until May 4th 2025.

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 can 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.

Applications for the Discovery Grant should outline the idea or concept using the application form. You can find the application form here or in the box on the right.
A Discovery Grant is available to SDU employees.

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 RIO’s commercialisation portfolio.
A Discovery grant can be used for:

Concept Development: e.g., own salary, travel and accommodation.

Prototype Development: e.g., materials or assistance from a colleague.

Market or User Research: e.g., 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.
Next application round is open from March 3^rd 2025 until May 4^th 2025.

There are grants available twice a year. Once in spring and once in fall.

Terms

Applications for the Discovery Grant should outline the idea or concept using this application form.

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 RIO business developer no later than six months after the grant is awarded. You must be able to maintain the project 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 RIO Commercialisation. Decisions on grant allocation are final and cannot be appealed.