The Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program invites applications for fellowships starting in 2027. The flexible programme connects academic researchers, journalism graduates, and policymakers with mentors at the Digital Democracy Centre. Projects should explore digital technology and AI in relation to media, politics, and democracy.
Quick Overview
Official Programme: Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program
Organisation: Digital Democracy Centre at SDU
Categories: Academic, journalist, and policy fellowships
Typical Fellowship Length: 2–6 months
Start Date: Flexible, with fellowships beginning in 2027
Available Support: Salary subsidy or stipend for travel and/or housing
Deadline: 1 September 2026
Digital Democracy Fellowship 2027
The fellowship programme aims to generate new ideas and encourage interaction between TrygFonden, DDC, partner organisations, and selected fellows.
Participants work on projects that can produce new knowledge and practical outputs. These may include educational packages, policy briefs, public talks, new collaborations, and contributions to debate in Denmark and beyond.
The structure is flexible. A fellowship usually lasts between two and six months, although a longer period may be possible in exceptional cases.
Who Can Apply?
The programme welcomes applicants from different professional settings. Its target group includes researchers, journalism graduates, and policymakers.
Candidates may currently work in:
• Research or educational institutions
• Media organisations
• Ministries
• NGOs
• Other relevant national or international organisations
Applicants must choose one fellowship track:
• Academic fellowship: For researchers working on digital technology and democracy
• Journalist fellowship: For journalism graduates covering digital democracy topics
• Policy fellowship: For professionals contributing to regulatory debates and implementation related to digital democracy
Relevant Project Themes
The programme prioritises projects with a clear connection to Denmark or Danish society. Comparative and international projects are also relevant when they generate methods, knowledge, or outputs that can be applied in a Danish context.
For the 2027 call, projects related to DDC’s Hybrid Warfare Initiative will receive additional priority. This initiative studies societal resilience in response to emerging forms of international conflict. It places particular emphasis on digital technologies and AI.
Funding and Programme Benefits
The fellowship provides either a salary subsidy or a stipend to support travel and/or housing. Candidates must describe the expenses for which they request financial support.
Subject to the agreement between the fellow, DDC, and any partner organisation, the programme may also provide:
✓ A working relationship with a DDC mentor selected by the applicant
✓ Access to research resources
✓ Flexible working facilities
✓ Speaker series and professional networks
✓ Opportunities to present completed work
✓ Membership in the DDC alumni network
The final support package can vary from one fellow to another.
Confirming a DDC Mentor
A confirmed mentor is mandatory. Applicants must contact their preferred DDC mentor before submitting the application and secure the mentor’s agreement.
An application without a confirmed mentor will be rejected automatically. Potential applicants should note that PhD students and research assistants are generally not eligible to serve as mentors.
Candidates must also ensure that their current supervisor, department head, manager, or equivalent contact supports the proposed fellowship.
Working Format and Expectations
Each fellowship includes a primary mentor or host from DDC. Relevant external partners may also take part in the collaboration.
Fellows can combine remote periods with in-office work in Odense, Denmark. The exact work plan should be explained in the application. Visits to DDC should generally align with the Danish working calendar and be arranged with the mentor.
Participants are expected to:
• Engage in activities connected to DDC
• Collaborate with fellows and researchers
• Take part in seminars or workshops
• Present their findings through outreach activities
• Submit a short report within two months after completing the fellowship
What to Include in the Application
Applications must be written in English and submitted with a CV. Candidates should also prepare an individual project plan involving collaboration with a practice partner.
The application should include:
• A preliminary title
• The selected fellowship category
• A project summary and purpose, limited to 1,000 characters
• A detailed description and timeline, limited to 2,400 characters
• The planned fellowship duration and proposed starting date
• The name of the confirmed mentor
• A work plan covering remote and in-office periods
• A description of activities with external practice partners, limited to 1,000 characters
• The expected output, impact, and product, limited to 500 characters
• A CV with a maximum length of five pages
• A list of the costs for which financial support is requested
The fellowship duration described in the application must be at least two months.
Application Process and Deadline
The application form is available on the official programme page in PDF and MS Word formats.
Applicants must send the completed application form and CV as PDF files to ddc@sdu.dk. They should use the following email subject line:
DDC / TrygFonden Fellowship application
The deadline is 1 September 2026. An interdisciplinary committee will review applications, and candidates will receive a decision no later than 1 October 2026.
