The Digital Democracy Centre (DDC), a research centre at the Faculty of Social Sciences at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU), with support from TrygFonden, a non-governmental organization in Denmark, which supports action-oriented, knowledge-based projects that contribute to an increased sense of safety in the society, is inviting applications for its 2027 Fellowship Programme, which will bring together researchers, journalists, and policymakers to explore the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) on media, politics, and democracy..
Selected fellows of the programme will have the opportunity to work with a DDC mentor to generate new knowledge, contribute to public debate, build new networks, and develop practical outputs such as policy briefs, educational materials, and public talks.
The fellowship welcomes different categories of applicants, including academic fellows who are conducting research on digital technology and democracy, journalist fellows reporting on issues related to digital democracy, and policy fellows contributing to regulatory discussions and the practical implementation of digital democracy policies. Applications are welcomed from individuals working with media organisations, ministries, NGOs, and other relevant organisations.
The programme offers three categories of fellowships: academic fellowships for those researching digital technologies and democracy, journalist fellowships for those covering digital technology and democracy, and policy fellowships for those contributing to regulatory debates concerning digital technology and democracy.
Projects with a clear connection to Denmark or Danish society will generally be prioritised. Comparative or international projects may also be considered if they can provide insights, methods, or outputs relevant to the Danish context.
For the 2027 fellowship, projects related to the DDC’s Hybrid Warfare Initiative will also receive priority. The initiative brings together researchers from different disciplines to examine how societies can build resilience in response to emerging forms of international conflict, with particular attention to the role of digital technologies and AI.
The Digital Democracy Centre was established at the University of Southern Denmark in 2021 in response to the growing influence of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on society. These technologies have the potential to support or replace human decision-making and contribute to the public good, but they can also create risks and threats. The effects of data, digitalisation, and AI on media and politics therefore raise important questions about democracy. Issues such as emerging AI technologies, microtargeting, automated journalism, fake news, the authenticity of images and text, trust in information, and automated decision-making in public and private institutions require perspectives from different fields.
The DDC seeks to develop interdisciplinary and socio-technical approaches to examine the effects of digital technology and AI on media, politics, and democracy. Its core research areas include Digital Democratic Integrity, Digital Democracy and Societal Transition, AI, Media and Journalism, and Citizens, Organisations, and New Technologies.
The Fellowship Program aims to utilise and expand the knowledge and expertise of the DDC. It seeks to generate new ideas and strengthen interaction between TrygFonden, the DDC, its existing and new partners, and selected fellows. The programme is expected to produce new knowledge and practical outputs, including new networks, collaborations, educational materials, contributions to public debate in Denmark and internationally, policy briefs, talks, and other outreach activities.
Selected fellows will receive various benefits, including the opportunity to work with a self-selected DDC mentor, financial support, access to DDC research resources, flexible working spaces, speaker series, and professional networks. Fellows will also receive opportunities to showcase their work and become part of the wider DDC alumni network. The specific benefits and support available will depend on the agreement between the individual fellow, the DDC, and any relevant partner organisations.
Before submitting an application, prospective fellows are required to obtain confirmation of mentorship from their preferred DDC mentor. Applicants are responsible for contacting their proposed mentor and securing their agreement. Applications submitted without a confirmed mentor will automatically be rejected.
PhD students and research assistants are generally not eligible to serve as mentors for the programme.
Sten Schaumburg-Müller will also not be available as a potential mentor for the 2027 fellowship call.
Applicants are also required to obtain the support of their current supervisors, Heads of Departments, managers, or other relevant authorities before submitting their applications.
During the fellowship, fellows are expected to actively participate in activities related to the DDC, collaborate with other fellows and researchers within the Centre, attend seminars or workshops, and contribute to the overall objectives of the fellowship programme and the DDC. This may include stays of varying lengths at the DDC. Such stays should generally follow the Danish working calendar and be arranged in consultation with the fellow’s mentor. Fellows will also be expected to present their findings through activities such as public outreach.
Within two months of completing their fellowship, fellows are required to submit a short report on their fellowship experience. They will also automatically become part of the wider DDC alumni network.
The DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program is flexible and does not follow a one-size-fits-all structure. The duration, content, and structure of each fellowship may vary depending on the candidate and proposed project. Fellowships typically last between two and six months, although longer periods may be considered in exceptional circumstances. For the 2027 call, applicants may propose a fellowship beginning at any time during 2027. Each fellowship will involve a primary mentor or host from the DDC, as well as relevant external partners who will work closely with the fellow and the DDC management team. The specific team will be established in collaboration with TrygFonden.
The fellowship provides either a salary subsidy or a stipend to support expenses such as travel and housing. Applicants are required to identify the specific costs for which they are seeking financial support in their applications, such as flights, housing, research costs, salary compensation or a stipend.
Applicants are encouraged to carefully review the Budget Guidelines before preparing and submitting their applications.
Applicants interested in a 2027 fellowship are required to submit a CV of no more than five pages and an individual project plan proposing a specific project to be carried out in collaboration with a practice partner. The project may, for example, involve a practical innovation connected to an ongoing research project at the DDC or another research institution. It may also involve collaboration with NGOs, consumer organisations, media organisations or public institutions such as schools and ministries. Projects may also focus on developing policy recommendations or supporting practical initiatives within public administration.
The application must be submitted in English.
The application should include a preliminary project title; the type of fellowship being sought (academic, journalist or policy); a brief description and purpose of the project of no more than 1,000 characters; and a detailed project description and timeline of no more than 2,400 characters.
The detailed project description should include the proposed fellowship duration, which must be at least two months and may combine shorter stays at the DDC with remote working periods, as well as a proposed start date within the Danish working calendar.
The application should also include the name of the confirmed mentor and a work plan showing the proposed distribution between remote work and in-person work at the DDC in Odense, Denmark.
Applicants must provide a description of the specific activities they intend to undertake and their collaboration with external practice partners, limited to 1,000 characters.
The application should also explain the expected product, impact, and outputs of the project in no more than 500 characters.
The deadline for submitting applications is September 1, 2026.
Applications will be assessed by an interdisciplinary committee, and applicants will be informed of the decision to accept or reject their applications no later than October 1, 2026.
Applicants must complete the official application form, available in PDF format or MS Word format. The completed form, together with the CV in PDF format, should be sent to ddc@sdu.dk with the subject line “DDC / TrygFonden Fellowship application”.
Applicants who have questions about the application process or organisational aspects of the fellowship should contact ddc@sdu.dk using the subject line “Question: DDC/TrygFonden Fellowship application”.
