Digital Democracy Centre x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027: Apply for a Research, Journalism or Policy Fellowship
The Digital Democracy Centre (DDC) at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has opened applications for the 2027 DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program, an opportunity for researchers, journalists and policymakers interested in the rapidly changing relationship between digital technology, artificial intelligence, media, politics and democracy.
The fellowship supports interdisciplinary projects that can generate new knowledge, strengthen public debate and produce practical outputs such as policy briefs, educational resources, talks and other forms of public outreach.
Applications for the 2027 cohort are currently open, with the deadline set for 1 September 2026.
About the DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship
The fellowship is designed to bring together researchers, journalists and policymakers with expertise or interests related to digital democracy.
Selected fellows will work with a mentor at the Digital Democracy Centre and collaborate with researchers, external organisations and practice partners. The program aims to create opportunities for fellows to develop new ideas, build professional networks and turn their work into practical outputs.
Projects with a clear connection to Denmark or Danish society will generally receive priority. Comparative and international projects may also be considered when they can generate insights, methods or outputs relevant to the Danish context.
For 2027, projects connected to the DDC’s Hybrid Warfare Initiative will also be prioritised. The initiative examines how societies can build resilience against new forms of international conflict, with particular attention to digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
Three Fellowship Categories
The program welcomes applicants from different professional backgrounds and offers three main fellowship types:
1. Academic Fellows
Academic fellows should have research interests relating to digital technologies and democracy. Their projects may explore areas such as artificial intelligence, political communication, algorithms, misinformation, digital media or democratic participation.
2. Journalist Fellows
Journalist fellows should be interested in covering issues involving digital technology and democracy. The fellowship can provide an opportunity to investigate important developments and contribute to public understanding of digitalisation and AI.
3. Policy Fellows
Policy fellows contribute to regulatory discussions and practical policy development concerning digital technology and democracy. Their projects can involve policy recommendations, regulatory debates or initiatives within public administration.
The fellowship is open to professionals working in areas including universities, research institutions, media organisations, ministries, NGOs and other relevant organisations.
Fellowship Duration and Format
The fellowship is flexible and does not follow a single format for every participant.
Fellowships typically last two to six months, although longer arrangements may be possible in exceptional circumstances. Fellows may combine remote work with periods at the Digital Democracy Centre in Odense, Denmark.
Applicants should propose a fellowship starting at some point during 2027 and indicate their expected duration and preferred working arrangement.
During the fellowship, participants are expected to actively engage with DDC activities, collaborate with other fellows and researchers, participate in seminars or workshops and contribute to the wider objectives of the program.
Fellows are also expected to present their findings through appropriate public outreach activities.
Financial Support and Benefits
The program offers either a salary subsidy or a stipend that can help cover costs associated with participation.
Depending on the individual fellowship agreement, support may contribute towards:
- Travel expenses
- Housing
- Research costs
- Salary compensation
- Stipend-related expenses
Applicants must clearly explain in their application which expenses they are seeking financial support for.
Accepted fellows may also receive access to DDC research resources, flexible working spaces, speaker events, professional networks and opportunities to showcase their work.
Participants will also become part of the DDC alumni network after completing the fellowship.
Mentor Requirement
One of the most important requirements is that applicants must secure a confirmed DDC mentor before submitting an application.
Candidates are responsible for contacting their preferred mentor and obtaining confirmation that the mentor is willing to support their proposed fellowship.
Applications submitted without a confirmed mentor will automatically be rejected.
Applicants should also obtain support from their current supervisor, head of department, manager or equivalent before submitting their application.
PhD students and research assistants are generally not eligible to act as mentors. Sten Schaumburg-Müller is also unavailable as a mentor for the 2027 call.
Application Requirements
Applications must be prepared in English and should include a CV and an individual project plan.
The application should contain:
- Preliminary project title
- Fellowship type
- Brief project description and purpose of up to 1,000 characters
- Detailed project description and timeline of up to 2,400 characters
- Proposed fellowship duration and start date
- Confirmed DDC mentor
- Remote and in-office work plan
- Description of activities and collaboration with external practice partners
- Expected products, impact and outputs
- CV of no more than five pages
- Overview of expenses for which financial support is requested
The proposed project should involve collaboration with a practice partner. This could include an NGO, consumer organisation, media organisation, school, ministry, public institution or another relevant partner.
Projects could involve practical research, new inventions linked to existing research, policy recommendations, educational initiatives or other activities that connect research with real-world applications.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 is 1 September 2026.
An interdisciplinary committee will assess applications, and applicants will be informed of the decision no later than 1 October 2026.
Interested candidates should therefore begin the mentor-contact and project-development process as early as possible, particularly because mentor confirmation is mandatory before submission.
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the official fellowship application form and submit it together with their CV as PDF files to:
The email subject line should be:
“DDC / TrygFonden Fellowship application”
The official University of Southern Denmark application materials and fellowship information are available on the Digital Democracy Centre website. View the official DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 page
For questions about the application process or organisational aspects of the fellowship, applicants can contact the same email address using the subject line “Question: DDC / TrygFonden Fellowship application.”
Final Takeaway
The DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program 2027 offers a valuable platform for academics, journalists and policymakers working at the intersection of AI, digital technology, media, politics and democracy.
With flexible fellowship arrangements, potential financial support, access to an interdisciplinary research environment and opportunities to collaborate with practice partners, the program is particularly suited to candidates with a strong project idea and a clear pathway toward practical impact.
Application Deadline: 1 September 2026
Location: Odense, Denmark, with remote options
Typical Duration: 2–6 months
Fellowship Types: Academic, Journalist and Policy
Support: Salary subsidy or stipend for eligible expenses
Application Language: English
Applicants should secure a DDC mentor before submitting their application.
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Disclaimer: Remote Job Opportunities (RJO) is not the organization offering this opportunity. For any inquiries, please contact the responsible organization directly. Please do not send your applications to RJO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.
