DARA Open Fellowship Call – Summer 2025 (Fully Funded PhD Opportunities)

Applications are now open for the DARA Open Fellowship Call – Summer 2025, a prestigious opportunity for aspiring PhD researchers! Hosted by the Danish Advanced Research Academy (DARA), this program offers fully funded PhD fellowships to support transformative research in natural, medical, and technical sciences, including bioscience, biotechnology, data science, and more.

Open to global talent regardless of age, gender, or nationality, the fellowship covers salary, tuition, and project costs, with no application fee required. Whether you’re exploring groundbreaking hypotheses or innovative methodologies, DARA welcomes visionary projects that push scientific boundaries. The application deadline is August 29, 2025, so start preparing now to join a dynamic research community in Denmark! You can also check more PhD positions here

Key Details

• Funding: Fully funded (up to 1,575,000 DKK salary, 750,000 DKK project supplement, 240,000 DKK tuition)
• Fields: Bioscience & biomedicine, natural & technical sciences, data & computer sciences, biotechnology
• Who Can Apply: Global candidates, no restrictions on age, gender, race, or nationality
• Application Deadline: August 29, 2025, at 2:00 PM CEST
• Application Fee: None

What is the DARA Open Fellowship?

The DARA Open Fellowship supports PhD candidates in Denmark who are pushing the boundaries of science. Whether you’re exploring fundamental questions, developing innovative methodologies, or translating research into societal benefits, this fellowship encourages projects that challenge assumptions and spark new directions in:

• Bioscience & Biomedicine: Molecular biology, genetics, disease diagnostics, therapeutics, and more.
• Natural & Technical Sciences: Physics, chemistry, engineering, robotics, nanotechnology, and beyond.
• Data & Computer Sciences: AI, machine learning, cybersecurity, software engineering, and human-computer interaction.
• Biotechnology: Synthetic biology, biomanufacturing, sustainable agriculture, and industrial production.

Projects can be mono-disciplinary or interdisciplinary, with no predefined thematic preferences.

Eligibility Criteria

The DARA Open Fellowship is open to diverse, motivated candidates worldwide, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, disability, nationality, or religion. Here are the key eligibility criteria:

• Educational Background: Qualified for admission to a PhD program in Denmark under the 5+3 or 4+4 model. Recent graduates and current students are eligible if they meet their university’s admission criteria.
• Supervision: Must have an agreement with a principal supervisor (associate professor, professor, or equivalent) at a research institution in the Danish Kingdom (including Greenland and Faroe Islands). Co-supervisors from other institutions are allowed.
• Supervisor Limit: The principal supervisor can only support one active DARA PhD fellowship at a time.

Check also: The Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarships at University of West London

Fellowship Benefits

Each of the fellowship is fully funded and includes:

• Salary: Up to 1,575,000 DKK to cover your PhD salary for the entire program duration (based on Danish PhD employment terms).
• Project Supplement: 750,000 DKK to support your research activities.
• Tuition Fees: Up to 240,000 DKK to cover enrollment fees at your host institution.
• Mentorship: Pairing with an international mentor (a leading researcher from outside Denmark).
• Networking & Training: Priority access to DARA’s educational programs, workshops, and networking events, including an annual symposium.

Also check: Vice-Chancellor’s PhD Scholarship at RMIT University

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the DARA online application portal (email or paper submissions are not accepted). Only one application per candidate is allowed.

Required Application Materials (in English)

1. Summary of Research (1,500 characters max): A concise overview of your project, highlighting research questions, methods, and potential impact (avoid technical jargon).
2. Project Description (7,500 characters max, excluding figures/tables and references): Detail the scientific background, objectives, methodology, and expected outcomes. Emphasize transformative potential and alignment with DARA’s scope.
3. References: List references used in the project description (no character limit).
4. Illustrations (optional): Up to 3 illustrations to support your proposal.
5. Motivation Letter (3,000 characters max): Explain your passion, relevant experience, and how the fellowship aligns with your career goals.
6. CV (5,000 characters max): Summarize your academic background, achievements, and relevant skills (e.g., publications, awards, teaching experience).
7. Academic Transcripts: Official transcripts for bachelor’s and master’s degrees (or current transcripts with a note on expected master’s completion).
8. Supervisor Support Letter & CV: A letter from your principal supervisor confirming support and resources, plus their CV (max 2 pages). The letter should include the number of active PhD students they currently supervise.
9. International Mentor CV (optional, max 2 pages): If you’ve identified a mentor, include their CV (does not affect evaluation).
10. Research Environment Description (optional, 2,500 characters max): Describe your host department’s facilities and resources, if not covered in the supervisor’s letter.

Also Checkout: DAAD PhD Scholarship 2026/2027

Evaluation Process

Applications undergo a single-step, merit-based review by international experts in relevant fields. Key assessment criteria include:

• Candidate Excellence: Academic achievements, research potential, and alignment with the proposed project.
• Research Quality & Novelty: Clarity, originality, and transformative potential of the research question and methodology.
• Feasibility & Environment: Suitability of the host institution and supervisor’s expertise.
• Impact: Potential to advance scientific knowledge or contribute to health, sustainability, or technology.

There is no interview stage, so ensure your written application is comprehensive. Ineligible or incomplete applications will be declined. Decisions are final, with notifications sent by email in December 2025.