The three steps
Sapere Aude is a three-step research career programme: Step 1: DFF-Postdoc, Step 2: DFF-Starting Grant, Step 3: DFF-Advanced Grant
Career step 1: DFF-Postdoc
For the best young researchers at Postdoc level. The grant type allows the researcher to carry out an individual research project for a period of three years. At the end of the project, grant recipients are encouraged to apply for a Starting Grant from the ERC or other international funds.
Career step 2: DFF-Starting Grant
For the best researchers who have completed Postdoc training and are ready to take on the role of principal investigator.
The grant type allows the researcher to carry out and head a research project for a period of four years and will typically be placed before any employment on the level of professor or associate professor. Towards the end of the career step, the grant recipient is encouraged to apply for Starting or Advanced Grant from the ERC or other international funds.
Career step 3: DFF-Advanced Grant
Due to financial reasons, this career step has not been launched in 2010, but is expected to do so in 2012. It is for researchers who typically at a research-wise young age have qualifications at the level of professor or associate professor, and have innovative and ambitious goals demanding a period of time devoted to concentrating only on research and heading a research project.
The grant type allows the researcher to carry out and head a research project for a period of five years. The career step will allow the researcher to be able to apply for an Advanced Grant from the ERC, to head an EU application or a major research initiative. Additionally, the goal of Step 3 is to provide excellent international researchers or Danish researchers with years of international experience with internationally competitive possibilities of continuing their career in Denmark. Hence, Step 3 will make a brain gain contribution to the Danish research community.
The three career steps are open to applicants regardless of whether they have previously received a Sapere Aude grant. It is possible to apply for step 1 an unlimited number of times. Step 2 can be applied for up to three times during a researcher's career.
