Important dates:
- 16th of October 2026 (23:59 CET) : Application Deadline
- Mid-November 2026: Award decisions announced
- 1st of January 2027 onwards: Projects commence
- May/June 2027: Awarded teams present project status at START steer.co meeting
- December 2027: Project wrap-up interview with PoC coordinator
Important documents
Important documents
Application Template
Applicant Guidance & Tips
About This Initiative
The AgFood Connect Proof-of-Concept (PoC) Grant Initiative is designed to de-risk early-stage interdisciplinary research collaboration by funding small-scale pilot projects that generate preliminary results and build team cohesion. The goal of the initiative is for successful PoC projects to be well-positioned to pursue major funding from national and international funding bodies based on the proof-of-concept project.
What We Fund?
What We Fund?
- Up to DKK 110,000 per project
- Project duration: 6–9 months
- Eligible costs: Short term staff buy-outs and salaries (short-term collaborators/assistants), materials, equipment, external expertise, travel
- NOT eligible: costs for existing assigned projects, overhead
- Only projects with a clear pathway to major funding applications (national or international)
Who Can Apply?
Who Can Apply?
- Interdisciplinary teams formed by members of START
- Researchers from at least two different Danish universities
- Researchers from at least two different scientific disciplines
How We Evaluate Applications
How We Evaluate Applications
Your application will be assessed by the START steering committee based on:
- Interdisciplinarity (25%): Genuine collaboration across disciplines and universities
- Innovation & Risk (20%): Novel approach; high-risk projects are welcomed if well-justified
- Feasibility & Realism (15%): Achievable within 6–9 months and budget
- Potential Impact (20%): Alignment with food system transformation
- Future Funding Readiness (20%): Clear pathway to major fundin
Need More Information?
Need More Information?
Questions?
For questions about the application process or eligibility, contact Project Manager
Jacob Thyrsted Johansen
(Thyrsted@food.au.dk)
