Introduction
The Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, commonly known as AIAS, is an interdisciplinary research institute based at Aarhus University in Denmark. It provides fellowships that allow researchers from around the world to pursue independent, curiosity-driven research in an international academic environment.
AIAS supports basic research across the natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, engineering and health sciences. Its fellowship model gives researchers time, salary support, facilities and access to the wider research community at Aarhus University.
Although AIAS is not an independent grantmaking foundation, its programmes are financed through Aarhus University, the Aarhus University Research Foundation, the European Union and other research funders.
History and Background
AIAS officially opened on 13 June 2013 as Denmark’s first institute of its kind. Aarhus University created the institute after drawing inspiration from established institutes for advanced study in Europe and the United States.
The institute was designed as an academic space where researchers could work with substantial intellectual freedom. Fellows are selected for research excellence and encouraged to explore ambitious ideas without being limited by disciplinary boundaries.
In 2014, AIAS launched its first European Union-supported fellowship programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. This initiative marked the beginning of more than a decade of European co-funded research fellowships.
AIAS later expanded its portfolio to include programmes supporting researchers at different career stages, scholars affected by conflict, visiting researchers, artists and interdisciplinary thematic groups.
Since September 2024, the AIAS-AUFF Fellowship Programme has served as the institute’s principal independent fellowship initiative.
Mission and Purpose
AIAS seeks to advance research of the highest quality at Aarhus University by attracting talented researchers from around the world and across all academic disciplines.
Its core purpose is to give Fellows suitable conditions for developing original research. The institute provides time, intellectual freedom, administrative support and opportunities for collaboration.
Interdisciplinarity is central to the AIAS model. Researchers participate in seminars and academic conversations with colleagues whose methods and subject areas may be very different from their own.
The institute also contributes to research talent development. Fellowships help researchers establish networks, develop new projects, compete for major grants and progress towards independent research leadership.
AIAS connects Fellows with departments, centres, laboratories and students across Aarhus University. This relationship allows the institute’s international research community to contribute to the university’s wider academic environment.
Governance and Structure
AIAS is an organisational unit of Aarhus University established under the university’s statutes. It is academically independent within the framework of its approved budget.
The institute operates according to statutes signed by the rector of Aarhus University. These statutes define its mission, governance, organisational responsibilities and relationship with the university.
AIAS is overseen through a board structure and receives additional external guidance from an advisory board. Its selection processes involve academic evaluation and expert review.
Professor Andreas Roepstorff serves as director of AIAS. He is also a professor in the Department of Anthropology at Aarhus University.
The administrative team includes a deputy director and head of secretariat, programme management, communications, relocation services and administrative support.
Fellows are affiliated with relevant academic environments across Aarhus University. They are expected to participate actively in seminars, workshops and interdisciplinary discussions at AIAS.
Funding and Grants
AIAS is principally funded through Aarhus University and the Aarhus University Research Foundation. Additional programmes have received substantial financing from the European Union and philanthropic research foundations.
The first AIAS-COFUND programme received DKK 46 million through the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme. The second AIAS-COFUND programme received DKK 36 million through Horizon 2020. Both were co-funded by the Aarhus University Research Foundation.
AIAS fellowships generally provide employment rather than a conventional project grant. Funded Fellows receive salaries based on Danish collective agreements, along with relevant employment benefits.
Depending on the programme, support may also include relocation expenses, travel costs, research funding, mobility allowances, office space and access to university facilities.
The core AIAS-AUFF programme is funded by the Aarhus University Research Foundation. Recent calls have offered up to 10 fellowships across all research disciplines.
The next AIAS-AUFF call was expected to open in August 2026. Applicants should consult the official website for the confirmed deadline, eligibility requirements and application guidelines.
Major Programs and Initiatives
The AIAS-AUFF Fellowship Programme supports independent research across all academic disciplines. Recent junior fellowships have lasted 23 months and targeted researchers with between two and 10 years of postdoctoral experience.
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree, present an original research proposal and meet the programme’s international mobility requirements. Successful Fellows receive a salary, office space, relocation support and access to Aarhus University’s research infrastructure.
The AIAS-COFUND programmes operated from 2014 to 2025 with support from the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions and the Aarhus University Research Foundation. These fellowships promoted research mobility, talent development and international collaboration.
The NNF-IAS Fellowship Programme on Health and Sustainability is a partnership among eight Nordic institutes for advanced study. Supported by DKK 48.3 million from the Novo Nordisk Foundation, it will provide 20 two-year fellowships between 2027 and 2032.
The first NNF-IAS research group will examine inequity in health. The programme is open to researchers of all nationalities and disciplines with two to 10 years of postdoctoral experience.
The NordIAS Visiting Fellowship encourages exchanges among advanced-study institutes in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden. Eligible Fellows can spend between one and three weeks at another member institution.
AIAS also offers visiting fellowships for researchers on sabbatical. These placements provide access to the institute’s interdisciplinary environment but may require researchers to bring salary support from their home institutions.
Collaborative Theme Groups bring together researchers from multiple departments and faculties at Aarhus University. AIAS provides facilities, administrative assistance and possible support for workshops and conferences.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
AIAS Fellows have produced approximately 1,600 publications covering numerous research disciplines. Their work has addressed climate change, sustainability, public health, archaeology, mathematics, biotechnology and other scientific and social challenges.
The AIAS-COFUND II programme hosted 61 Fellows from 26 countries. Fellowships lasted between 12 and 36 months and supported research, conferences, workshops and international collaboration.
Programme evaluations reported a 100 percent employment rate among alumni. Approximately 30 percent continued their careers at Aarhus University, while others joined research institutions elsewhere in Denmark and internationally.
Fellows have secured prestigious research funding from the European Research Council, Villum Foundation and Denmark’s Sapere Aude programme. Sixteen major competitive career grants were awarded to COFUND II Fellows during or shortly after their fellowships.
Former AIAS Fellow Iza Romanowska received an ERC Starting Grant for an interdisciplinary project examining the development of cities. Her research illustrates how ideas developed within the AIAS environment can lead to independent research groups and major external funding.
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, AIAS and the Aarhus University Research Foundation established a dedicated fellowship programme in 2022. Twelve researchers affected by the war received fellowships lasting between six and 12 months.
The institute has also strengthened international research networks. It is a member of the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study, the global UBIAS network and the EU Science Diplomacy Alliance.
Conclusion
The Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies is an important centre for independent, basic and interdisciplinary research in Denmark. Its fellowship programmes attract international researchers while strengthening the academic environment at Aarhus University.
AIAS funding provides researchers with more than financial assistance. Fellows receive protected research time, employment, facilities, professional networks and opportunities to collaborate across disciplines.
Support from the Aarhus University Research Foundation, European Union, Novo Nordisk Foundation and other partners has enabled AIAS to develop a diverse portfolio of research fellowships.
Through scientific publications, international partnerships, career development and major externally funded projects, AIAS contributes to research excellence with academic and societal value.
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