Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The Semper Ardens Accelerate Program provides up to DKK 7 million over 3–5 years to newly appointed tenured associate professors and senior researchers in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands. The program is designed to strengthen independent research leadership, support the development of research groups, and enable researchers to establish ambitious, long-term research agendas.
Program Overview
The Semper Ardens Accelerate Program supports early-stage research leaders who are transitioning into independent leadership roles. The initiative helps researchers consolidate and expand their research groups, build strong research environments, and pursue innovative research projects with long-term scientific impact.
The program emphasizes research excellence, leadership development, international collaboration, capacity building, and the creation of sustainable research environments that contribute to the advancement of knowledge across disciplines.
Funding Details
Applicants may request funding of up to DKK 7 million.
Key funding information includes:
- Grant duration: 3–5 years
- Maximum funding amount: DKK 7 million
- Funding supports research group development and independent research leadership
- Project activities must primarily be based in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands
- International collaboration is permitted and encouraged
Research Areas and Supported Activities
The program supports a broad range of research disciplines and activities designed to strengthen research capacity and leadership.
Eligible activities include:
- Research personnel recruitment and support
- Research equipment acquisition
- Laboratory and project consumables
- National and international travel
- Research collaboration activities
- Academic networking
- Conference participation
- Research stays at other institutions
- Research leadership development
- Capacity-building initiatives
- Knowledge exchange activities
- Participation in leadership training programs
- Research networking events organized by the foundation
Purpose of the Program
The primary objective of the Semper Ardens Accelerate Program is to help newly appointed research leaders establish and strengthen independent research environments.
The program aims to:
- Support the transition to independent research leadership
- Build strong and sustainable research groups
- Strengthen research capacity at host institutions
- Promote innovative and high-impact research
- Encourage international collaboration
- Develop future academic leaders
- Foster long-term scientific excellence
Who Is Eligible?
Applicants must meet all eligibility requirements at the application deadline.
Eligibility requirements include:
- Must be a tenured associate professor or senior researcher
- Must have held the current position for no more than two years before the application deadline
- Must be employed at a minimum of 80% full-time equivalent throughout the grant period
- Employment must be at a research institution located in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands
- Must dedicate at least 50% of research time to the proposed project
- Must be able to anchor the main research activities within Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands
Eligible Institutions
Applicants must be affiliated with:
- Danish research institutions
- Greenlandic research institutions
- Faroese research institutions
Collaborative partners may be located internationally, but the project’s primary activities must remain anchored within the eligible regions.
Eligible Budget Items
Funding may be used for:
Personnel Costs
- Postdoctoral researchers
- PhD students
- Research assistants (up to 12 months)
- Student assistants
Research Costs
- Research equipment
- Consumables
- Laboratory supplies
- Fieldwork expenses
- Data collection costs
Travel and Collaboration
- International research visits
- Research stays
- Conference attendance
- Networking activities
- Invited researchers
Leadership Development
- Research leadership training
- Professional development activities
- Leadership networking opportunities
Project Supplements
For university applicants, project supplements may be automatically included.
Current supplement levels are:
- Humanities and Social Sciences: DKK 206,000
- Natural Sciences: DKK 257,000
Ineligible Expenses
Funding cannot be used for:
- Salary support for assistant professors
- Costs outside approved project activities
- Expenses not aligned with program objectives
Applicants should carefully review all budget eligibility requirements before submission.
Required Application Documents
Applications must be submitted through the CF-Grant system in English.
Required documentation includes:
- Project description
- Detailed budget
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Publication list
- Research group description
- Research network description
- Host institution declaration
- Information regarding other funding sources
All documents must be complete, legible, and properly assembled before submission.
Popularized Scientific Description Requirement
Applicants must prepare a short public-facing project summary within the CF-Grant system.
The summary must address:
- What the project will do
- Why the project is important
- How the project will be carried out
Each section is limited to a maximum of 400 characters.
Successful applications may have these descriptions published publicly.
How to Apply
Step 1: Verify Eligibility
Confirm that you:
- Hold a tenured associate professor or senior researcher position
- Have occupied the position for no more than two years
- Meet employment requirements
Step 2: Develop a Research Plan
Prepare a project proposal that clearly outlines:
- Research objectives
- Scientific significance
- Research methodology
- Expected outcomes
- Leadership development plans
Step 3: Prepare Supporting Documents
Compile all required documentation, including:
- CV
- Publication list
- Budget
- Host institution declaration
- Research group information
Step 4: Prepare Budget
Use the official Carlsberg Foundation budget template.
Requirements include:
- Itemized budget
- Maximum one A4 page
- Accurate cost justification
- Compliance with program rules
Step 5: Complete the CF-Grant Submission
Submit the complete application in English through the CF-Grant system before the deadline.
Why This Program Matters
Many researchers face challenges when transitioning from individual contributors to leaders of independent research groups.
The Semper Ardens Accelerate Program addresses this challenge by providing substantial long-term funding and leadership development support.
Benefits include:
- Increased research independence
- Enhanced institutional capacity
- Stronger research teams
- Greater international collaboration
- Improved career progression opportunities
- Sustainable research leadership development
The program plays an important role in developing the next generation of research leaders in Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
Tips for a Strong Application
- Present a clear and ambitious research vision.
- Demonstrate leadership potential and research independence.
- Show how the project will strengthen your research environment.
- Include realistic timelines and measurable outcomes.
- Explain the significance of international collaborations.
- Ensure budget requests are well justified.
- Follow all formatting and page limit requirements.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Missing required documents.
- Exceeding page limits.
- Submitting incomplete budget information.
- Failing to demonstrate research leadership potential.
- Not clearly describing the research group’s development plans.
- Using incompatible digital signature tools that disrupt PDF compilation.
- Providing unclear public-facing project descriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Semper Ardens Accelerate Program?
It is a research funding program that supports newly appointed associate professors and senior researchers in building independent research groups and strengthening research leadership.
How much funding is available?
Applicants can receive up to DKK 7 million for projects lasting between three and five years.
Who can apply?
Tenured associate professors and senior researchers who have held their current position for no more than two years at the application deadline.
Can international collaborators participate?
Yes. International collaborations are encouraged, but the main project activities must be based in Denmark, Greenland, or the Faroe Islands.
What personnel costs are eligible?
Funding can support postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, research assistants, and student assistants.
Is leadership training included?
Yes. Grant holders participate in research leadership training and networking activities as part of the program.
What language must the application be submitted in?
All application materials must be submitted in English through the CF-Grant system.
Conclusion
The Semper Ardens Accelerate Program provides significant long-term funding and leadership development opportunities for newly appointed research leaders. By supporting independent research agendas, research group development, international collaboration, and capacity building, the program helps establish strong and sustainable research environments that contribute to scientific excellence and future innovation across Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.
For more information, visit Carlsberg Foundation.
