Initiatives in
SDU's strategy for external funding
With the strategy for external research funding, SDU provides incentives, support, and tools to increase the support for career development and research funding for SDU's researchers.
To support long-term research development ambitions and address growing pressure on education income, SDU launched a new funding strategy in 2022.
The success of the strategy is driven by a range of funding initiatives designed to make the funding process easier, more efficient, and more rewarding for researchers at SDU.
From writing retreats to improved application procedures and tailored support, the initiatives provide tools and opportunities to increase the success rates of applications and advance research careers. Explore the initiatives and discover how the funding strategy can make a difference for you as a researcher or a research leader.
These initiatives are aimed at researchers who want to develop and improve their applications and advance their academic careers.
Writing retreat
Immerse yourself in the application writing process on an SDU funded writing retreat. Whether you are working solo or with partners, this is your opportunity to write with fewer distractions and more support.
ERC bonus incentive
To strengthen SDU researchers’ efforts in attracting EU funding, an ERC bonus incentive has been introduced. The bonus supports researchers with ERC potential on their career path and reinforce SDU’s focus on scientific excellence through ERC funding.
Collegial sparring – see video
Create stronger applications with feedback from your colleagues. SDU is introducing a structured framework around collegial sparring to make peer feedback a natural part of the application writing process.
Impact
As funders place increasing emphasis on the impact of research, SDU is taking steps to support its researchers understanding of impact and how to clearly communicate it in their funding applications.
Systematic application feedback
By collecting and sharing feedback systematically, this initiative aims to improve your chances of success and strengthen SDU’s overall grant performance.
SDU Research Academy
SDU Research Academy supports the development of early-career researchers offering tailored guidance in research leadership. This includes acces to a digital learning platform with courses in project management, consortium building, and more, so you can develop into a successful research leader.
Network
Building a strong network is essential for advancing an academic career and increasing your chances of securing funding – especially at the EU level. SDU are working systematically to strengthen researchers’ networking skills across all career stages.
Career development via external funding
SDU supports researchers in building strong academic careers by connecting professional development with external funding. This initiative offers career tools and personal guidance from academic leaders to help secure funding in a career-development perspective.
Empower researcher’s growth and elevate their funding potential by utilising these funding initiatives.
Writing retreat
Give your researchers – and their consortiums – the space and time to create stronger, more thorough applications especially for EU, DNRF, and Independent Research Fund Denmark by sending them on an SDU-funded writing retreat.
- Individual researchers get up to DKK 10,000 for 1-5 days retreat.
- Consortiums, with SDU as a coordinator, get up to DKK 46,000 for max 6 days retreat (1-3 days writing, 1 day preparation and 2 days summing up).
Applications are ongoing and handled locally by the faculty dean or vice dean. To know more, contact the Head of research support at your faculty.
Attracting exceptional talent
To attract top research talent to SDU, DKK 2.5 million has been allocated per faculty annually until 2027.
The initiative targets both ERC Grant-level researchers (ERC) and exceptional research talents with outstanding international profiles (EXP).
With a flexible and easy process, the funding supports strategic recruitment of international talent to enhance SDU’s research competitiveness and diversity.
The financial package is awarded by the Rector based on the Dean’s recommendation.
Learn more about the principles for implementation and financial management of the initiative here or contact you faculty dean.
Collegial sparring – see video
By promoting sparring between colleagues, you can help improve the application quality and foster collaboration within and across research groups.
As a research leader, you can either organize or participate in the sparring. To learn how your faculty can implement collegial sparring, download this catalogue.
Systematic application feedback
As approved by the Executive Board, SDU is introducing a more systematic approach to collecting and using external feedback on research proposals. This will provide valuable insight into the application quality at SDU, enabling better research support and ultimately improve funding success rates.
First step is to remind researchers to assign an administrative college when preparing applications in the e-grant portal (DFF project grants, Sapere Aude and thematic calls) or the EU Funding & Tenders Portal (Horizon Europe - MSCA PF, ERC and Societal Challenges). Download this how-to guide on adding an administrative colleague to your application.
Feedback data will be collected and handled anonymously by the FS-K with respect for data ownership, academic sensitivities, competition concerns, and confidentiality. For more information, please contact Strategy Implementation Manager Karen Gemal.
ERC bonus incentive
The ERC bonus incentive aims to support the development of SDU research talents with ERC potential. Bonuses are awarded for securing EU grants from the ERC funding schemes: Starting, Consolidator, Advanced, and Synergy.
The researcher and their department each receive a bonus of DKK 250,000 when the researcher is invited to an ERC interview. If the grant is awarded, both will receive an additional DKK 250,000. Each researcher can receive an interview bonus once per ERC scheme.
The bonus supports research activities at SDU, based on individual priorities (e.g., travel, conferences, co-financing PhD students, hiring assistants, or administrative support), but may not be used for personal salary.
Learn more about the principles for implementation and financial management of the ERC bonus here or contact Strategy Implementation Manager Karen Gemal.
SDU Research Academy
Support your early-career research leaders’ professional growth with SDU Research Academy – a digital learning platform for developing skills in project management, consortium building, research management and more.
Access is available through a closed SharePoint group. Researchers can request access and will receive an email once access has been granted. It is free for all SDU researchers to join and is continuously updated. Contact Chief Consultant, PhD Just Bendix Justesen from HR and Development to learn more about SDU Research Academy.
Network
Help researchers build strong networks, as it is crucial for career development and funding success – especially in the EU.
As a research leader, a career networking tool has been developed to help researchers identify relevant networking opportunities according to their current academic level. The first networking course by HR is also available now on demand.
Additional initiatives are in progress, also at a faculty-specific level. Contact Strategy Implementation Manager Karen Gemal to access the tools and learn how your faculty supports networking.
Career development via external funding
Guide researchers in developing their career through external funding by using the right tools for their career stage. This initiative offers mentoring, structured dialogue, and a clearer overview of opportunities for both individuals and research groups.
As a research leader, you can already start using the dialogue tool for self-reflection and MUS discussions on career opportunities, while the Call Calender helps align career stages with upcoming calls.
For more information on current and upcoming career development tools, contact Strategy Implementation Manager Karen Gemal.
Impact
Support researchers’ ability to understand and clearly communicate the impact of their work, to increase chances of funding success.
Workshops and tools are currently being developed and integrated into existing efforts such as SDU Research Academy and collegial sparring. Contact Strategy Implementation Manager Karen Gemal to learn how your faculty is approaching impact.
Administrative simplifications
To make research workflows smoother this initiative aims to reduce complexity in processes and systems related to budgeting, applications, and organisation.
Several improvements have already been implemented, including the SDUpro Researcher Portal and new reporting tools, while further efforts are underway.