KIP creates new opportunities with African universities

KIP offers funding for establishing new or further developing existing collaborations between Danish and African universities.

Purpose

The purpose of the programme's goal is to create collaboration-based learning and innovation for African and Danish universities rooted in shared networks, as well as skills development for African students that addresses global challenges. 

This is achieved through university partnership projects that focus on two outcomes (‘outcome 1’ and ‘outcome 2’), while seed funding is available for the establishment of new partnerships.

Read more about the application process, criteria and amounts for ‘outcome 1’ and ‘outcome 2’, as well as seed funding here https://dfcentre.com/partnership-projects/. 

If you have any questions regarding KIP, please contact DFC:  kip@dfcentre.dk. 

Activities and possibilities

Outcome 1 – Partnerships

The purpose of outcome 1 is to establish and strengthen long-term, collaborative partnerships between Danish and African universities that promote knowledge development and innovation around common global challenges.

The partnerships must be rooted in shared academic interests and create a framework for the development of teaching programmes, new forms of learning and capacity building. At the same time, they must support the exchange of pedagogical methods and build platforms for innovation and knowledge sharing.

Funding may be sought for, among other things:

• Development of teaching programmes, knowledge and innovation platforms and hubs, summer school courses, workshops, seminars, etc.
• Laboratory training, research methods, writing courses, etc.
• Preparation and development of bilateral exchange agreements.

Outcome 2 – Scholarships

Applications under outcome 2 are subject to simultaneous application under outcome 1 or to the existence of a well-established collaboration in which activities under outcome 2 can be included.

Funding may be sought for, among other things:

• Grants for African students for short- and long-term study stays in Denmark
• Grants for summer schools for African students
• Supplementary grants for ERASMUS+ grants for African students.

Seed Funding

Seed funding can be applied for in connection with investigating the possibility of developing partnerships with one or more African universities. 

This is start-up funding that can be applied for by partners, who do not know each other beforehand and is intended for university partners, who need time and effort to develop the foundation for an operational, equal and fair partnership project.

Read more about all funding opportunities here: https://dfcentre.com/partnership-projects/

Criteria for internal AAU process in connection with annual KIP application

The Strategic Education Council (DSUR) is the coordinating and decision-making body for which KIP applications AAU submits for the upcoming application round.

This gives the vice-deans, in collaboration with the pro-rector, an overview of the ideas for KIP collaboration and the educational activities that may need to be initiated if the applications are approved.

• The application must be initiated at the department/institute, and the vice-dean for education will submit it to DSUR for processing with a view to approval by DSUR.
• The form must be completed and sent to DSUR prior to the meeting in February, no later than 27 January. The form should be sent to the International Office: internationaloffice@aau.dk. 
• All expressions of interest submitted across the faculties will then be collected, and the International Office will prepare an overview and a case presentation for the DSUR meeting in February.
• A decision will be made at the DSUR meeting in February, and all internal applicants will receive a response from their own vice-dean during March.
• If the application involves the development of teaching programmes, the procedure for establishing programmes must be followed.
• The final application must be approved by the university management, which is why the application must be approved by the pro-rector before the application deadline.
• The upcoming deadline for 2026 can be found here: https://dfcentre.com/partnership-projects/
• Notification from DFC regarding whether the application has been approved or not will be sent to the respective vice-dean.
• Link to the Danida Fellowship Centre application portal: Danida Fellowship Centre.

• The applicant is responsible for coordinating with external partners, gathering information for the application, and drafting the application.
• The applicant must ensure that the application has been approved by DSUR (at the February DSUR meeting) and then by the pro-rector (prior to the application deadline of 1 October) before submitting the application to the Danida Fellowship Centre's application portal, Survey Monkey Apply (SMA).
• If the application involves the development of teaching programmes, the applicant must ensure that the procedure for establishing educational programmes is followed.
• Only Danish universities can create an account in the Danida Fellowship Centre application portal. The applicant university is responsible for submitting the application to the DFC on behalf of the partnership.

• The applicant is responsible for handling allocated funds and mobility, as well as reporting and coordinating with external auditors.
• The programme also requires the applicant/project owner to assist with booking and paying for airline tickets for upcoming African visitors/students, taking out insurance, providing information about the visa application process, residence permits, MitID and bank accounts, as well as direct payment for accommodation during their stay in Denmark.
• DFC can, for a fee per student, offer administrative assistance to universities in relation to the above.
• Please note that students receiving a full degree scholarship must apply for admission to AAU on the same terms as all other full degree students.
• Exchange students must apply for enrolment at AAU on the same terms as all other exchange students.

Information about CPR registration, residence permits, insurance, access to the Danish healthcare system and other important information can be found at Living in Denmark - Aalborg University. The website also includes a checklist of important tasks to complete before and upon arrival in Denmark.

The International Office invites international full-degree and exchange students to the international study start for Campus Aalborg, Campus Esbjerg or Campus Copenhagen, respectively. The International Accommodation Office can assist with accommodation in Aalborg.

The International Office can assist with the application for a residence permit and provide information about insurance, the Danish healthcare system and other important matters.