2027 HUMpraxis Cross-Disciplinary Research Program (Denmark)

The VELUX Foundation HUMpraxis Programme supports cross-sector collaborations between university researchers and practice organisations in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands to develop sustainable solutions for major societal challenges. The programme provides grants of up to DKK 5.9 million for 3–5 year projects combining humanities research, social science perspectives, practical experimentation, and theory development.

About the VELUX Foundation HUMpraxis Programme

The HUMpraxis Programme is a funding initiative by the VELUX Foundation that supports equal partnerships between researchers and practitioners to address complex societal challenges.

The programme is designed for projects where:

University researchers and practice organisations work together.
Research knowledge is combined with practical experience.
New solutions are developed and tested in real-world settings.
Scientific knowledge and theories are strengthened through practical collaboration.

HUMpraxis does not support research projects that only study problems. It focuses on collaborations that actively create, test, and improve sustainable solutions.

Programme Objectives

The main objectives of HUMpraxis are to:

Develop sustainable solutions to societal challenges.
Strengthen collaboration between universities and practice organisations.
Connect humanities research with practical implementation.
Create new knowledge and theory development.
Support inclusive and sustainable social change.
Improve the ability of communities and organisations to respond to challenges.

Key Focus Areas

The programme supports projects under three main themes.

Social Sustainability

Projects in this area should address social sustainability challenges affecting vulnerable groups.

Eligible topics may include:

Social vulnerability among children, young people, or adults.
Inclusion and participation in society.
Strengthening voices of vulnerable groups.
Democratic participation.
Community belonging.
Improving opportunities for participation in social communities.

Projects should help target groups increase their ability to participate actively in society.

Environmental Sustainability

Projects under this theme should develop sustainable solutions related to environmental challenges.

Possible areas include:

Nature protection.
Biodiversity conservation.
Climate challenges.
Pollution reduction.
Sustainable practices on land and at sea.
Life cycle perspectives on environmental solutions.

Projects may also focus on:

Increasing public participation in environmental initiatives.
Building knowledge among target groups.
Supporting behavioural and practice changes.
Developing new approaches to sustainability.

Transitions and Changes of Adult Life

This theme focuses on adults aged 50 years and above and challenges related to changing life circumstances.

Projects may address:

Barriers to participation.
Opportunities for active involvement.
Maintaining independence.
Managing everyday challenges.
Strengthening contribution to communities.
Supporting meaningful adult life transitions.

Funding Available

The VELUX Foundation has allocated:

DKK 31 million total funding for 2027

Applicants can request:

Up to DKK 5.9 million per project

Project duration:

Minimum: 3 years
Maximum: 5 years

What Type of Projects Are Supported?

HUMpraxis supports projects that:

Address a clearly defined societal challenge.
Combine research and practical development.
Develop and test solutions in real-life settings.
Generate new scientific insights.
Include theory development.
Create sustainable long-term improvements.

Projects must already have an established collaboration between researchers and practitioners when applying.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Practice organisations.
Universities.
Research institutions.

Projects must involve:

University researchers from humanities disciplines.
Researchers from closely related social science fields.
Practice partners actively involved in solution development.

Research Requirements

The research component must:

Be conducted by university researchers.
Include permanently employed researchers at associate professor or professor level.
Contribute to scientific knowledge.
Include theoretical development.
Go beyond simple evaluation or data collection.

Projects cannot consist only of:

Impact studies.
Surveys.
Data gathering.
Evaluation activities.
Academic research without practical implementation.

Practice Collaboration Requirements

Projects must demonstrate genuine collaboration between researchers and practitioners.

The partnership should include:

Equal involvement of both sectors.
Shared development of solutions.
Practical testing activities.
Continuous interaction throughout the project period.
Joint learning and knowledge exchange.

How the HUMpraxis Programme Works

The programme follows a research-practice collaboration model.

Step 1: Identify a Societal Challenge

Applicants should define:

The major social or environmental issue.
The affected groups or communities.
Why existing approaches are insufficient.
Why collaborative action is needed.

Step 2: Build a Research-Practice Partnership

Applicants should establish collaboration between:

University researchers.
Relevant practice organisations.

The partnership should exist before submitting the application.

Step 3: Develop a Sustainable Solution

The project should explain:

What solution will be developed.
How it will be tested.
Who will participate.
How results will improve current practices.

Step 4: Integrate Research and Practice

Applicants should demonstrate:

How practical experience informs research.
How research findings improve practice.
How collaboration creates new knowledge.

Step 5: Prepare the Proposal

Applications should explain:

Societal challenge.
Project objectives.
Research approach.
Practice activities.
Collaboration structure.
Expected outcomes.
Budget and timeline.

What Projects Are Not Supported?

The programme does not support:

Pure academic research projects.
Pure practice development projects.
Early pilot projects without established collaboration.
Projects focused only on collecting data.
Projects focused only on evaluation.
Activities that directly promote commercial interests.

Why This Opportunity Matters

HUMpraxis provides a unique model where research and practice work together to solve real-world problems.

The programme can help:

Translate academic knowledge into practical solutions.
Strengthen community-based approaches.
Improve social inclusion.
Support environmental sustainability.
Create new research insights.
Develop long-term solutions for societal challenges.

Unlike traditional research funding, HUMpraxis focuses on co-creation, where researchers and practitioners jointly develop solutions.

How to Prepare a Strong Application

Applicants should:

Clearly define the societal challenge.
Demonstrate why collaboration is necessary.
Show strong involvement of practice partners.
Explain how solutions will be tested.
Include measurable outcomes.
Describe long-term sustainability.
Demonstrate scientific contribution.
Explain theory development.
Provide a realistic timeline and budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting a project that is only research-focused.
Submitting a project that is only practical implementation.
Starting collaboration after applying.
Failing to include university researchers with required academic positions.
Focusing only on short-term outcomes.
Ignoring theory development.
Designing projects mainly for commercial benefit.
Providing unclear roles between researchers and practitioners.

Application Language and Requirements

Applications and expressions of interest must be:

Written in Danish.

Projects must also ensure that:

Activities do not directly promote commercial interests.
Project partners do not use funding primarily for commercial purposes.
Research and practice components remain equally integrated.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the HUMpraxis Programme?

HUMpraxis is a VELUX Foundation funding programme supporting collaborations between university researchers and practice organisations to develop sustainable solutions for societal challenges.

How much funding can projects receive?

Projects can receive up to DKK 5.9 million.

How long can projects run?

Projects must have a duration of between three and five years.

Who can apply?

Both practice organisations and research institutions can apply and manage the grant. Projects must include university researchers from humanities and related social science disciplines.

What research fields are supported?

The programme supports humanities and closely related social science research connected to social sustainability, environmental sustainability, and adult life transitions.

Are pure research projects eligible?

No. HUMpraxis does not support projects that only conduct academic research. Projects must include practical development, testing, and implementation activities.

Can organisations apply without an existing research partnership?

No. Collaboration between researchers and practitioners must already be established when submitting the application.

Conclusion

The VELUX Foundation HUMpraxis Programme provides major funding support for collaborative projects that combine humanities research, social sciences, and practical action. With grants of up to DKK 5.9 million, the programme helps researchers and practitioners jointly develop sustainable solutions for social challenges, environmental issues, and changing conditions of adult life. Strong applications will demonstrate equal partnerships, practical testing, scientific contribution, and long-term societal impact.