DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 at SDU
The DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 supports collaboration between researchers, journalists, and policymakers working on digital technology, artificial intelligence, media, politics, and democracy. Selected fellows collaborate with a mentor at the Digital Democracy Centre at the University of Southern Denmark. The programme usually lasts two to six months and can start at any time in 2027.
Quick Overview
Programme: Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program
Host Centre: Digital Democracy Centre at the University of Southern Denmark
Target Group: Researchers, journalism graduates, and policymakers
Fellowship Types: Academic, journalist, and policy fellowships
Duration: Typically 2–6 months
Starting Period: Any time in 2027
Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
About the DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program
The Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program fosters collaboration across research, journalism, and policymaking. It focuses on the impact of digital technology and AI on media, politics, and democracy.
Selected fellows work with a DDC mentor. They aim to generate new knowledge, contribute to public debate, develop networks, and create tangible outputs. These may include policy briefs, educational packages, talks, and other outreach activities.
The programme is flexible. The fellowship content, duration, and working arrangements depend on the selected project and the agreement with DDC.
Fellowship Categories
Applicants should select one of the following categories:
• Academic fellows: Researchers studying digital technologies and democracy
• Journalist fellows: Journalism graduates covering digital technology and democracy
• Policy fellows: Policymakers contributing to regulatory debates and practical implementation in digital democracy
The target group includes candidates working in national or international research and educational institutions, media organisations, ministries, NGOs, and related settings.
Priority Areas for the 2027 Cohort
Projects with a clear relevance to Denmark or Danish society will receive priority. This also includes comparative or international projects that can produce insights, methods, or outputs relevant to a Danish context.
In 2027, the programme will also prioritise projects connected to the DDC Hybrid Warfare Initiative. This initiative examines how societies can strengthen resilience in response to new forms of international conflict, with a particular focus on digital technologies and AI.
Fellowship Support
The fellowship programme offers either a salary subsidy or a stipend to help with travel and/or housing. Applicants must explain the costs for which they are seeking support.
Depending on the agreement between the individual fellow, DDC, and any partner organisations, accepted fellows may also receive:
✓ Collaboration with a self-selected DDC mentor
✓ Access to DDC research resources
✓ Flexible working spaces
✓ Access to speaker series and networks
✓ A platform to showcase their work
✓ Inclusion in the wider DDC alumni network
The specific benefits and support may differ for each fellow.
Mentorship Requirement
Before applying, candidates must contact their preferred DDC mentor and obtain confirmation of mentorship directly from that person.
Applications without a confirmed mentor will automatically be rejected. PhD students and research assistants are generally not considered potential mentors for this programme.
Candidates must also coordinate with their current supervisor, head of department, manager, or other relevant contact. They should secure the necessary support before submitting an application.
Fellowship Participation
During the fellowship, participants are expected to engage actively with DDC activities. Fellows should collaborate with researchers and other fellows, attend seminars or workshops, and contribute to the programme’s objectives.
The fellowship can include stays of varying lengths at DDC. These visits should normally follow the Danish working calendar and be coordinated with the mentor.
Fellows must also present their findings through activities such as public outreach. No later than two months after completing the fellowship, each participant must submit a short report about their experience.
Application Requirements
Candidates must submit an application in English. It should include a CV and an individual project plan.
The proposed project should be developed with a practice partner. The application must contain:
• A preliminary project title
• The selected fellowship type: academic, journalist, or policy fellow
• A brief project description and purpose of no more than 1,000 characters
• A detailed project description and timeline of no more than 2,400 characters
• The expected duration of the fellowship, with a minimum of two months
• A proposed starting date within Danish working times
• The confirmed mentor
• A work plan showing the distribution between remote work and in-office work in Odense, Denmark
• A description of planned activities and collaboration with external practice partners, limited to 1,000 characters
• The expected product, impact, and output, limited to 500 characters
• A CV of no more than five pages
• An overview of the costs for which financial support is requested
The financial support request may include flights, housing, research costs, salary compensation, or a stipend.
How to Apply
Candidates should complete the official application form available in PDF or MS Word format on the programme page.
The completed application form and CV must be sent as PDF files to ddc@sdu.dk. The email subject line should be:
DDC / TrygFonden Fellowship application
Selection Timeline
• Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
• Decision Notification: No later than 1 October 2026
An interdisciplinary committee will decide whether each application is accepted or rejected.
