AU Connect and AU Connect+ are open to academic staff at Aarhus University, including PhD students.

AU Connect+ can only be applied for by researchers who have previously received an AU Connect grant to continue and further develop a specific collaboration.

When applying, applicants must be able to document the outcomes of the initial grant and demonstrate how a continuation of the collaboration will lead to significantly increased impact. Funding can be applied for to cover relevant costs related to the collaboration, up to a maximum of DKK 300,000.

When applying to AU Connect, you can apply for funding to cover relevant costs related to the collaboration of up to DKK 150,000.

AU Connect+ can be applied for by researchers who have previously received an AU Connect grant to continue and further develop a specific collaboration. When applying, applicants must document the outcomes of the initial grant and demonstrate how continuing the collaboration will lead to significantly increased impact. Funding can be applied for to cover relevant costs related to the collaboration of up to DKK 300,000.

The funding can be used to explore opportunities for new collaborations with companies, test new forms of collaboration, further develop established partnerships, or work as an interim researcher within a company.

Examples of eligible activities include:

• Testing an idea for a product or service in collaboration with a company.

• Piloting the further development of a technology or service within a company.

• Collaborating with a public sector organisation on the preparation of, for example, analyses.

Private and public sector organisations and NGOs, both in Denmark and internationally.

• The funding can cover full or partial buy-out of researchers from teaching and advisory duties. Any buy-out must be agreed with the immediate manager and head of department.

• Meetings related to the collaboration.

• Travel and accommodation expenses related to the collaboration.

• Communication and dissemination activities – if these constitute a significant part of the collaboration.

• Materials for experiments/equipment and consultancy services, up to a maximum of 10% of the total amount applied for.

• Documented administrative expenses, up to a maximum of 20% of the total amount applied for.

The funding cannot cover:

• Overhead. No overhead is calculated on the grant; however, documented administrative expenses can be covered, up to a maximum of 20% of the total amount applied for.

• Salary for the collaboration partner or employees of the collaboration partner.

• Projects aimed specifically at students.

• Collaborations where the partnership is exclusively with researcher(s) at other knowledge institutions or hospitals.

Applications must be submitted using the application form for AU Connect or AU Connect+.

The application must include both a project description and a budget and must be signed and approved by the applicant’s head of department.

Documentation and coverage of costs:

• The applied-for costs must be documented in a budget.

• The grant is paid out via internal transfer to the applicant’s department.

• No later than one month after the project ends, a financial statement of the grant expenditure and a brief report on the outcomes of the collaboration must be submitted to Kitchen, Aarhus University. Any unused funds must be repaid.

For formalised collaborations, it is a requirement that the partnership is regulated by a collaboration agreement. The agreement does not need to be in place at the time of application.

Applications are processed in dialogue with a panel consisting of:

• Two representatives from public/private sector organisations with experience in collaborating with Aarhus University.

• Associate Dean Søren Michael Sindbæk, Arts, member of Aarhus University’s Business Committee.

• Head of Business Collaboration Kirsten Jensen, Kitchen, Aarhus University.

The panel is serviced by Kitchen, Aarhus University.

Any questions can be directed to Bettina Dencker Hansen, Kitchen, Aarhus University.

Applications are assessed through a scoring process based on the submitted application.

Emphasis will be placed on the purpose of the collaboration project, its scientific and innovative value, as well as its perspectives and potential impact.

Applicants will be notified in week 22.