PhD call: 10 million for new research in universal design

The Bevica Foundation invites contributions to strengthen the interdisciplinary field of knowledge on universal design in Denmark. The foundation has allocated a total of DKK 10.5 million to fund a number of PhD research projects aimed at exploring universal design as a means to create a more equitable and inclusive society in Denmark.

Read more and sign up here

We have initiated social change since 1872. We still do.

Building on Denmark's commitments in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), we work to strengthen and disseminate knowledge about universal design as a lever to create a more equal and inclusive society for all.

We work with three fundamental pillars

Click below to read about the pillar you want to know more about.

We promote knowledge

With the ratification of the UN's Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009, Denmark has committed to promoting research and development of universal design. The Bevica Foundation takes this commitment seriously with a desire to promote equal opportunities and equal lives for all.

The Bevica Foundation works strategically to create attractive educational and research environments in the field of universal design with the objective of providing future graduates with universal design as a basic premise in their professional understanding and future work.

The work is managed by the foundation's Universal Design Hub and includes an interdisciplinary research network and the Bevica Scholarship Programme.

The work to promote knowledge in the field of universal design origins in Denmark's ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009 and Denmark's commitments in relation to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and and the transversal Principle Leave No One Behind from 2015.

Read more about Universal Design Hub

Get smarter about universal design

Explore the Bevica Foundation's Knowledge Library

Go to the Knowledge Library here
Concept
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Podcast
Universal design, and... Visiting professor at the Royal Academy Jos Boys examines the concept of universal design

The architect, activist and journalist Jos Boys held a visiting professorship at the Royal Academy from 2022 to 2025. To mark this and reflect on the research of the past three years, Jos will host three podcasts of 45 minutes duration attended by researchers, students and other guests of the Royal Academy.

Concept
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Tool
Introduction to Universal Design

Universal design is a relatively new concept in Denmark that deals with creating environments, products and services that can be used by everyone — regardless of ability or need. It is based on principles of accessibility, inclusion and flexibility, so that the design benefits as much as possible without the need for customization.

Concept
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Article
Universal Design: A tool for creating a world where everyone is involved

The article introduces universal design as an approach to creating inclusive solutions for everyone — regardless of functional ability. It shows how design can strengthen participation, diversity and equality across society.

We believe change happens inpartnership with others

The Bevica Foundation is not open for applicants. Instead, we work in partnerships with key players in architecture, design, technology, education and society.

The strategic partnerships are central to the work of the Bevica Foundation. It is through the partnerships that we gain new knowledge and put academic ideas on universal design into practice. We wish to create societal change based on equality and equal opportunities for all based on universal design as a bearing princple. Without our partnerships, this is not possible.

Read more about Partnerships
Read more about Bevica Foundation's strategy

Bevica Foundation Partnerships

Our partnerships help us bridge knowledge about universal design and practical solutions to creating positive change.

More about our partnerships
The Royal Danish Academy - Architecture, Design, Conservation

Together we create a more inclussive future through architecture, design and urban planning.

Technical University of Denmark

Under the heading Technology Leaving No One Behind, DTU Skylab creates solutions that include several.

Copenhagen Municipality

Everybody should feel welcome in Copenhagen - universal design is the basis for that.

Folkemødet

Folkemødet is a anish festival and platform for democracy and dialogue between decision-makers.

The Danish association of Youth With Disabilities (SUMH)

The lived experiences of disability are central to the work of change. SUMH voice those experiences.

Kolding School of Design

The school aims to become among the leaders in research in social design with an emphasis on universal design.

The National Building Fund

Together we test solutions based on knowledge of universal design in the social housing sector in Denmark.

AAU Innovation - Aalborg University

At AAU Innovation, students will be taught how to incorporate universal design into their workflows.

Parasport Denmark

With sport as a lever, the partnership aims to kickstart public conversation about barriers in society.

Tools from the Partnerships

The Bevica Foundation's partnerships brings together academic knowledge and practical sollutions to create useful tools.

Download the cards here
Art/Culture
Partnerships develop tool to create more inclusive events

To create a more inclusive society it's important to become aware of uniconscious bias. In 2024 the Bevica Foundation reached out to its partners DTU and Folkemødet to develop a deck of cards to spark conversation about inclusion. The deck of cards are specifically tailored to people in event planning, but they can be used by everyone.

Across Partnerships

The conversation cards have been developed in collaboration withhe partners DTU and Folkemødet.

Conversations are key to make the change we want to see

We believe that public conversation about who we society include - and who it fails to include - is key when we want to create society based on universal design. That is why, the Bevica Foundation is active in co-creating these conversations.

In the Bevica Foundation, we insist that the conversation about sociey's blind spots and its view of the human. That is why, we are active in creating public conversations around these themes. We work with key partners to do so and always draw on our vast network of knowledge professionals and library.

More about the Bevica Foundation's talks

Find us here to join the conversation

Follow the Bevica Foundation's event calendar to join the conversation.

All events
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Bevica Scholarship Programme

The Bevica Scholarship Programme is a key part of the Bevica Foundation's work to bring new knowledge about universal design into a Danish context.

In 2023, the Bevica Foundation awarded the firs grant winners of the Bevica Scholarship Programme. The interdisciplinary programme is an important part of the Bevica Foundation's strategic effort to bring knowledge about universal design into a Danish context.

The programme runs in several phases, where participants acquire knowledge about universal design, diversity and norm criticism through workshops and presentations from prominent presenters. The winner of the main prize in the student catagory gets DKK 350,000. The main prize in the lecturere catagory is DKK 130,000 kr., which is awarded to two projects.

In addition, up to 20 travel grants of DKK 30,000 will be granted.

The Bevica Scholarship Programme is conducted in English.

Read more about the Bevica Scholarship Programme