Deadline: August 29, 2025
Are you ready to pursue a fully funded PhD in Denmark? The DARA Open Fellowships 2025 offer an exceptional opportunity for ambitious researchers from around the world to join Denmark’s leading academic institutions and immerse themselves in high-impact, curiosity-driven research. With generous funding, international mentorship, and access to cutting-edge research environments, this programme is designed for future leaders in science and innovation.
In this post, we detail everything you need to know about the DARA Open Fellowships 2025—from eligibility and benefits to application timelines and how to apply.
About the DARA Open Fellowships 2025
The Danish Advanced Research Academy (DARA) is now accepting applications for its DARA Open Fellowships 2025. The programme is open to qualified PhD candidates from any nationality, background, or academic discipline—particularly those in bioscience, biomedicine, technical and natural sciences, biotechnology, and computer/data science.
This highly competitive fellowship programme supports curiosity-driven research with no thematic restrictions, empowering scholars to explore innovative, bold research questions within a supportive and interdisciplinary academic environment.
Fellowship Benefits
A total of nine (9) DARA Open Fellowships will be awarded in 2025. Each fellowship provides comprehensive funding for the full duration of a PhD programme in Denmark, including:
- 💼 Salary: Up to 1,575,000 DKK, in line with standard Danish PhD employment regulations.
- 📚 Tuition Fee Coverage: Up to 240,000 DKK for programme tuition.
- 🧪 Research Project Supplement: Additional funding of 750,000 DKK for research-related costs.
Additional benefits include:
- Priority access to DARA’s interdisciplinary education and networking programmes.
- One-on-one mentoring from a senior international researcher.
- Access to the DARA Academy’s collaborative research community.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be eligible for the DARA Open Fellowships 2025:
- ✅ Must qualify for admission into a PhD programme at a Danish university under the 5+3 or 4+4 educational model.
- ✅ Must have secured a Principal Supervisor affiliated with a Danish research institution (including those in Greenland or the Faroe Islands). The principal supervisor must be at the associate professor level or higher.
- ✅ Each supervisor can only host one active DARA Fellow at a time.
- ✅ Co-supervisors may be based outside Denmark.
There are no restrictions based on age, nationality, or gender.
Eligible Fields of Study
The programme encourages applications from the following research areas:
- Biosciences and Biomedicine
- Natural and Technical Sciences
- Data Science and Computer Science
- Biotechnology
Application Timeline
Mark your calendar with these key dates:
- 🗓 Application Deadline: August 29, 2025 (by 14:00 CEST)
- 📣 Selection Results Notification: December 2025
- 🚀 Earliest Start Date: February 1, 2026
- ⌛ Latest Start Date: June 15, 2026
(Exact start dates are flexible to align with institutional calendars.)
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the online application form via the official DARA platform. Only one application per person is allowed.
Here are the key steps:
- Identify and confirm a qualified principal supervisor at a Danish research institution.
- Prepare all necessary documentation, including academic transcripts and a compelling research proposal.
- Submit your application via the official DARA portal.
Is This Fellowship Right for You?
The DARA Open Fellowships 2025 are ideal for early-career researchers who:
- Have a bold, innovative research idea that challenges current scientific thinking.
- Are seeking full financial and academic support during their PhD journey.
- Can secure a supervisor at a Danish research institution and meet academic entry requirements.
Final Thoughts
The DARA Open Fellowships 2025 offer a world-class opportunity to pursue a fully funded PhD in one of Europe’s most research-driven nations. With financial support, international mentoring, and access to collaborative networks, this fellowship is your launchpad to academic and research excellence.
If you’re ready to take the next step, don’t miss the August 29 deadline!
📩 Need help preparing your proposal?
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
