Independent Research Fund Denmark (DFF) funds early-career researchers to lead their own postdoctoral project at a research institution outside Denmark. All its research councils take part, so any field can apply.
The project runs two years, with at least 12 consecutive months abroad; up to 6 months at the start and up to 12 at the end may be spent at a Danish institution. The project must benefit Danish research.
Benefits & funding
- Up to DKK 1,550,000 excluding overhead, administered by a Danish research institution
- Covers one outbound and one return journey and bench fees, within the ceiling
- DKK 55,000 a year for each accompanying partner or child, paid to you directly; check tax matters with SKAT
- Duration: 2 years
Eligibility
- PhD from a Danish institution, obtained at most 3 years before the deadline (set leave deducted); or equivalent qualifications such as a positive assistant professor assessment; or a PhD student whose thesis will be submitted within 12 months of the deadline (supervisor statement; the grant is annulled if this is missed)
- No citizenship requirement
- Not for a foreign institution where you have spent 12 months or more in the last 3 years
- You must live in the host country during the stay
- Barred: applicants employed at Russian or Belarusian institutions, or found guilty of scientific misconduct in the past two years
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
Education required
PhD Enrolled · PhD
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Application process
- 1Secure a signed letter of intent from the foreign host institution.
- 2Write the application in English: project description (max 5 pages / 15,000 characters), CV and track record in DFF templates (3 pages each), budget in the DFF template.
- 3Open and submit it yourself in e-grant by 5 November 2026, 12:00 noon.
Program timeline
Application deadline
5 Nov 2026, 12:00 noon
Decision
Feb 2027
Project start window
1 Apr – 1 Nov 2027