A society for all? The Bevica Foundation allocates 10 million for new research in universal design

Imagine a society where it is not the surrounding environment that dictates whether you can do or take part in the things you want. A society where, regardless of your physical ability, you can decide and act exactly as you wish; without having to face external barriers.

If you have a fully functioning body, this may not be difficult to imagine, but if you live with a disability, permanent or temporary, it is not always that simple. The shared environments in our cities, public spaces, and society at large are full of barriers that, for some, are insurmountable. Yet, by becoming more aware of and actively working to remove these barriers, we can together succeed in creating a society that truly offers space and equal opportunities for everyone.

At the Bevica Foundation, the value-based design concept of universal design has been a key strategic focus since 2020, when the foundation established the Universal Design Hub with the goal of strengthening the interdisciplinary field of knowledge on universal design in Denmark. Today, the foundation runs an interdisciplinary research network and the Bevica Scholarship Programme, which takes place every other year.

On Thursday, 9 October, the foundation hosted the Bevica Scholarship Programme Award Show 2025 and, in that connection, announced a grant of DKK 10.5 million for a PhD call aimed at exploring universal design as a means to create a more equitable and inclusive society.

Facts about the PhD call

• ‍‍The Bevica Foundationhas set aside DKK 10.5 million to fund PhD scholarships.
• Applicants from all relevant disciplines areinvited to apply. “Applicant” refers to the prospective PhD candidate.
• The prospective PhD candidate must hold aMaster’s degree (or equivalent qualifications) by the application deadline.Applications may be submitted under any relevant PhD model (i.e. 5+3, 3+5 or4+4); the model sought must be specified and justified in the application.
• It is considered an advantage, but not a requirement,if either the PhD candidate or the principal supervisor has participated in theBevica Scholarship Programme (in the Student or Lecturer category).
• If the applicant or the applicant’s principalsupervisor has not participated in the Bevica Scholarship Programme, theapplication must on submission document that they possess qualifications andinsight into universal design equivalent to those offered through theScholarship Programme
• Applications will be assessed by an internationalassessment committee.

Read more about the PhD call here.

The grantis aimed at a broad range of academic disciplines — and there is a veryspecific reason for that, explains Chair of the Bevica Foundation Board, Thomas Sinkjær.

“We don’t live our lives in silos. That’s why it’s important to explore the potential of universal design in creating a society that includes everyone. With this PhD call, our wish is to bring an interdisciplinary perspective to universal design, and we hope to see applications that span both practical and academic levels. That’s why we are reaching out broadly,” says Thomas Sinkjær.

Universaldesign and Denmark’s commitment‍

The value-based design concept of universal design, which Bevica Foundation has been actively promoting for several years, originates in architecture. It was first articulated in the 1980s by the American architect Ron Mace, who sought to redefine our view of human diversity by recognising that bodily functional variation is a fundamental human condition shared by all. Since then, the concept has evolved into an interdisciplinary process and design tool that can be applied across different fields.

When Denmark ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) in 2009, universal design assumed a central role in societal development, as it is explicitly embedded in the convention’s key focus areas. This social commitment was the reason Bevica Foundation initially adopted universal design as a cornerstone of its strategic work, and why the foundation is now allocating additional resources to deepen our understanding of how to design a future society that includes everyone.

“The origins of universal design lie in architecture, but our strategic work with the concept over many years has shown us that  at all levels of society, whether in the physical environment or in the very wording of legislation, it offers new insights into blind spots and opportunities for development,” notes Thomas Sinkjær.

Putting knowledge into practice

Through a range of partnerships, the Bevica Foundation has been actively exploring universal design as a means to create a more inclusive society. Since 2016, the foundation has collaborated with the Royal Danish Academy in Copenhagen to integrate universal design knowledge into the education of future architects and designers.

Since then, additional partners have joined, and today the foundation works with institutions such as the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Aalborg University, Kolding School of Design, the National Building Fund (Landsbyggefonden),the City of Copenhagen, Folkemødet, the Danish association of Youth With Disabilities (SUMH), and Parasport Denmark.

The newly announced DKK 10.5 million framework for PhD research projects in universal design is part of a broader portfolio of research initiatives centred around our shared view of the human and universal design — areas in which Bevica Foundation has played a leading role.

Our goal is to put knowledge into action, says Thomas Sinkjær.

“All the knowledge we acquire and help generate is used directly in our partnerships. It’s an essential part of creating real change, so that more people have the opportunity to live active lives on their own terms.”

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