CFAs: Carlsberg Foundation Monograph Fellowships (Denmark)

Deadline: 01-Sep-2026

The Carlsberg Foundation Monograph Fellowships provide one-year full-time fellowships to experienced researchers at Danish, Greenlandic, and Faroese research institutions to produce a ground-breaking scholarly monograph. The fellowship covers the fellow’s full salary and provides additional operating support, enabling researchers to focus exclusively on completing a significant research publication that advances knowledge within the humanities, social sciences, and relevant interdisciplinary fields.

Program Overview

The Monograph Fellowship program supports leading and visionary researchers who are preparing a major academic monograph with the potential to make a substantial contribution to their field.

The fellowship is designed to provide dedicated research time free from most teaching and administrative responsibilities, allowing recipients to focus entirely on developing and completing a high-impact scholarly book.

The program primarily supports research in:

• Humanities
• Social sciences
• Interdisciplinary research involving humanities and Social sciences
• Relevant interdisciplinary projects extending into natural sciences

Funding Details

Successful applicants receive:

• Full salary funding for one year
• Operating expenses of DKK 8,000 per month
• Dedicated time to complete a scholarly monograph
• Institutional support through an approved host institution

Operating expenses may be used for:

• Conferences
• Research travel
• Study visits
• Scholarly networking activities
• Research-related dissemination activities

Operating expenses cannot be used for:

• Institutional overhead
• Administrative fees
• General organizational costs

Fellowship Duration and Timeline

Key timing requirements include:

• Fellowship duration: 12 months full-time
• Projects must begin no earlier than 1 January 2027
• Projects must begin no later than 1 September 2027
• Applications must be submitted through the CF-Grant system

Research Areas Supported

The fellowship supports projects that produce original, influential, and field-defining scholarly work.

Priority is given to research that:

• Advances academic knowledge significantly
• Demonstrates originality and innovation
• Addresses important scholarly questions
• Contributes new theoretical or empirical insights
• Produces a substantial academic monograph
• Creates lasting impact within a discipline or across disciplines

What Is a Monograph?

A monograph is a detailed scholarly book focused on a specific research topic or question.

Unlike journal articles or edited volumes, a monograph allows researchers to:

• Develop complex arguments in depth
• Present comprehensive research findings
• Establish new theoretical frameworks
• Synthesize years of research into a single publication
• Influence future scholarship within a field

The Carlsberg Foundation specifically seeks monographs that can be considered ground-breaking and transformative within their academic disciplines.

Why This Fellowship Matters

Academic researchers often face competing demands from teaching, administration, supervision, and institutional responsibilities.

This fellowship provides:

• Protected research time
• Financial stability during the writing process
• Support for research-related activities
• Opportunities to produce landmark scholarly publications
• Strengthened research leadership and academic impact

The program recognizes that significant scholarly books require concentrated effort and uninterrupted research time.

Who Is Eligible?

Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements.

Eligible applicants must:

• Hold a tenured academic position
• Be employed at a Danish, Greenlandic, or Faroese research institution
• Have held tenure for between 5 and 20 years
• Maintain employment corresponding to at least 80% full-time equivalent (FTE)
• Remain employed throughout the fellowship period
• Submit the application in English

Eligible positions include:

• Associate Professor
• Senior Researcher
• Professor WSR
• Research Professor
• Professor

Eligible Host Institutions

Applications may be submitted through:

• Universities
• State-owned museums
• Certain state-approved museums
• Sector research institutions
• Institutions of artistic higher education
• Approved research organizations using university research career structures

The following institutions are not eligible:

• Hospitals
• University Colleges

Fellowship Conditions

During the fellowship period, recipients are expected to devote their professional efforts primarily to the monograph project.

Permitted activities include:

• Limited student supervision
• Light administrative responsibilities
• Essential research-related duties

Not permitted:

• Regular teaching responsibilities
• Significant administrative assignments
• Activities that substantially reduce research time

Applicants can receive a Monograph Fellowship only once.

Required Application Documents

Applications must be submitted through the CF-Grant system and include:

• Project description
• Detailed budget
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• Publication list
• Host institution declaration
• Information regarding other funding sources
• Publishing contract (if available)
• Popularized project description

All materials must be submitted in English.

Popularized Project Description Requirement

Applicants must prepare a short public-facing description of their project.

This summary should:

• Explain the research topic clearly
• Describe the project’s significance
• Highlight expected contributions
• Be understandable to non-specialist audiences

If awarded, this description may be used in public communications about the fellowship.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Applications

The Carlsberg Foundation permits applicants to use AI tools and Large Language Models (LLMs) when preparing their applications.

Examples include:

• Drafting assistance
• Language editing
• Grammar improvement
• Structural suggestions

However:

• Applicants remain fully responsible for all content
• Accuracy must be verified by the applicant
• Misleading or incorrect information remains the applicant’s responsibility
• AI-generated content must meet all academic integrity standards

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Ensure that you:

• Hold an eligible tenured position
• Meet the tenure requirements
• Are employed at an eligible institution

Step 2: Develop the Monograph Project

Prepare a strong research proposal that:

• Demonstrates originality
• Explains scholarly significance
• Shows the potential for major academic impact

Step 3: Prepare Required Documents

Gather:

• CV
• Publication list
• Budget
• Institutional declaration
• Funding information
• Publishing agreement (if applicable)

Step 4: Write the Popularized Summary

Create a concise explanation of:

• What the project studies
• Why it matters
• Expected contributions

Step 5: Submit Through CF-Grant

Upload all required documents and review the application carefully before submission.

Step 6: Verify Application Completeness

Ensure:

• All documents are included
• Files are legible
• Information is accurate
• Required sections are completed

Applications can be revised within the CF-Grant system until the submission deadline.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without meeting tenure requirements
• Submitting incomplete documentation
• Providing unclear research objectives
• Underestimating the significance of the monograph
• Missing institutional declarations
• Failing to explain scholarly impact
• Submitting poorly prepared budgets
• Ignoring application instructions
• Waiting until the last minute to upload documents
• Relying on AI-generated content without verification

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the purpose of the Monograph Fellowship?

The fellowship provides researchers with dedicated time and funding to produce a ground-breaking academic monograph.

Who can apply?

Tenured associate professors, senior researchers, research professors, professors WSR, and professors employed at eligible Danish, Greenlandic, or Faroese research institutions.

How much funding is provided?

The fellowship covers the recipient’s full salary and provides DKK 8,000 per month in operating expenses.

How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship is a full-time, one-year award.

Can fellowship funds be used for travel?

Yes. Operating funds may support conferences, study trips, and other research-related travel activities.

Can applicants continue teaching during the fellowship?

No. Regular teaching duties are not permitted, although limited supervision and light administration are allowed.

Is AI allowed when preparing the application?

Yes. Applicants may use AI and LLM tools for assistance but remain fully responsible for the accuracy, quality, and integrity of the application.

Conclusion

The Carlsberg Foundation Monograph Fellowships provide a valuable opportunity for experienced researchers to dedicate a full year to producing a transformative scholarly monograph. By covering full salary costs and providing additional research support, the fellowship enables researchers to focus on generating significant academic contributions that advance knowledge within the humanities, social sciences, and interdisciplinary research fields. For eligible scholars seeking to complete a high-impact book project, this fellowship offers both the time and resources needed to achieve lasting scholarly influence.

For more information, visit Carlsberg Foundation.