Universal design as a means to creating a more inclusive society
Weall experience different and changing abilities throughout our lives. This is the shared experience we have in common. These changing abilities may be permanent disabilities, or they may be temporary.
This shared experience of diversity in abilities should be reflected in the design of all aspects that surround and shape our lives and, in the opportunities available to us. In most cases today, however, this is not the reality. Our society is largely designed for an idealised, standardised, fully able-bodied person. As a result, far too many are left behind, and we as a society fail to create an equitable framework for our lives and communities that accommodate our real diversity in abilities.
Universal design is a value-based concept that can be used to ensure equitable inclusion of people with impairments in the design of all aspects of society. The concept is embedded in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), which specifically obliges Denmark to “undertake or promote research and development of universally designed goods, services, equipment and facilities" (CRPD Article 4(f)). Moreover, through the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Denmark is committed to the transversal principle ‘Leave no one behind’, whereby no one should be leftout of sustainable societal development.
Therefore, in this PhD call the Bevica Foundation invites the development of new knowledge within universal design. This being both theoretical, innovation- and practice-oriented research. We invite applications from all academic disciplines that address professional and societal issues related to the equitable inclusion of people with impairments and disabilities, and that investigate universal design as a means to develop and address those issues.
The Bevica Foundation has set aside DKK 10.5 million to fund the PhD scholarships. The call includes both industrial and academic PhD scholarships.
Further questions aboutthe PhD call?
If you have questions about the PhD Call, please refer to the FAQ below and the upcoming online information meeting on April 28, 2026.
FAQs
Strategic focus on universal design
- Question: Where can I read about the Bevica Foundations standing regarding universal design?
Answer: You can learn more about the Bevica Foundation’s standing regarding universal design through our website: https://www.bevicafonden.dk/https://www.bevicafonden.dk/introduktion-til-universal-design - Question: Can the Bevica Foundation point to examples of existing or previously funded PhD projects that align particularly well with Bevica’s current strategic focus on universaldesign?
Answer: Although we do not provide specific project files, examples of past projects and their focus areas are available through our website: https://www.bevicafonden.dk/We can share that previous PhD projects funded by the Foundation have varied widely across disciplines, all addressing universal design and equitable inclusion.
We can share that previous PhD projects funded by the Foundation have varied widely across disciplines, all addressing universal design and equitable inclusion.
Requirements
- Question: Do applicants need to be Danish citizen?
Answer: No. Applicants of any nationality may apply; the PhD candidate must be enrolled at a Danish educational institution PhD school, and any industrial partner must be Danish - Question: Is it a requirement in the PhD Call that I have participated in the Bevica Scholarship Programme?
Answer: No, participation in the Bevica Scholarship Programme is not required. It is considered an advantage if either the PhD candidate or the principal supervisor has participated, as knowledge of Universal Design is important for the PhD call. If neither the applicant nor the supervisor has participated, the application must document equivalent knowledge of Universal Design.
If the applicant and/or the principal supervisor have not participated in the Bevica Scholarship Programme, documentation must be attached demonstrating their qualifications and insight into universal design equivalent to that gained through participation in the Scholarship Programme https://www.bevicascholarship.dk/knowledge/This must be documented in writing by describing knowledge of the concept’s definition, interpretation, application and its relevance in a professional context. Education, courses, projects,and experience with the concept may also be included. The written statement maybe supplemented with illustrations. The total appendix must not exceed 2 pages.
This must be documented in writing by describing knowledge of the concept’s definition, interpretation, application and its relevance in a professional context. Education, courses, projects,and experience with the concept may also be included. The written statement maybe supplemented with illustrations. The total appendix must not exceed 2 pages. - Question: Can you please explain the PhD models (i.e.3+5, 4+4 or 5+3,) In the call, it mentions the application should specify one of these models?
Answer: The PhD call allows applications under different PhD models, which refer to the structure of the candidate’s education and research. These models ensure flexibility depending on the candidate’s prior education and professional experience.
Applicants must specify and justify the chosen model in their application. The choice should reflect the candidate’s background, experience, and the planned PhD project timeline.
Forskeruddannelse(ph.d.):
https://ufsn.dk/lovstof/gaeldende-love-og-regler/uddannelser/forskeruddannelse-phd/Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet
Uddannelses- og Forskningsministeriet
ph.d.-bekendtgørelsen: https://www.retsinformation.dk/eli/lta/2025/1124 - Question : Is it possible to supplement a foreign 1 year MSc with ekstra classes as part of the PhD?
Answer: The PhD call allows applications under different PhD models (see above answer and use links formore information)
- Question: If I am planning one or more exchanges with universities or partners outside of Denmark, do you require a written confirmation from the abroad universities?
Answer: For exchanges with foreign universities or partners, the call does not explicitly require written confirmation, but it is recommended to include letters of support or confirmation, if you do have these in place already. This however is not a requirement. - Question: What are the formal requirements of the PhD call? This includes, for example, expectations regarding layout (font size, marginsand spacing), the maximum length of the main application, and the permitted length of individual appendices?
Answer: The formal requirements for the application are specified in the call. The main application must not exceed six A4 pages, excluding appendices, and must be submitted in English. A minimum font size of 10 point is required, and line spacing should be reasonable andeasy to read. For this Bevica PhD call: Linespacing is 1.15.
The permitted and required appendices are listed explicitly in the call, and maximum lengths are stated (e.g. reference list, CVs, motivational statement and layman summary). All appendices must be combined into one single PDF.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to ensure full compliance with all formal requirementsprior to submission. - Question: How flexible is the structure for the proposal that you present for the 6 pages? Can I, for example, move the points around, or should they be in the exact order they are presented on the call?
Answer: The structure outlined in the call should be followed in terms of content. This makes the assessment easy and fair for everyone. - Question: Does the application require any specific reference style (e.g. APA)?
Answer: There is no required or mandatory reference style (such as APA). You may use the reference style that is standard within your academic field, as long as it is applied consistently. - Question: I can see “up to 3 recommendation letters”. Does that imply that there must be at least one…?
Answer: “Up to 3 recommendation letters” means that recommendation letters are optional. There is no minimum requirement to include one, but recommendations are welcomed and applicants may submit up to three if they wish. - Question: Is the motivational document about working with universal design (point “h” in the appendices) specific to people who were not in the Scholarship, or for everybody?
Answer: The motivational document describing your interest in and motivation for working with Universal Design is required for all applicants, regardless of whether or not they have previously participated in the Scholarship.
Language
- Question: The application itself must be prepared in English, but I am unsure whether the same applies to the PhD project as a whole?
Answer: There is no requirement regarding whether the PhD dissertation itself should be written in English or Danish.This is left to the individual and the focus of the project. As we are seeking knowledge within a Danish context, there is therefore nothing to prevent one from writing a dissertation in Danish.
Budget and funding
- Question: Are there specific requirements on the level of co-financing from the university?
Answer: The Bevica Foundation can provide co-funding of up to a maximum of DKK2 million, depending on the nature of the project. The university (or industrial partner, if relevant) must confirm any additional co-funding to ensure the project is fully financed.
The budget and funding plan for the PhD project must be specified. With the estimated funding from the Bevica Foundation, the project must be fully financed. Projects that are not documented as fully financed will not be considered. With funding from the Foundation, a maximum of 20% overhead can be included, and only directly related expenses are eligible. Overheads must be included in the total budget. - Question: Can you please explain more in detail, show examples, or provide a template for the budget and funding plan?
Answer: While we do not provide a fixed template, we recommend structuring your budget and funding plan clearly, transparent and concisely. We encourage you to present your budget in a clear table format with a brief explanation for each category. - Question: If the university is co-funding the project, does the applicant need to be enrolled/employed at the university at the time of applying to the Bevica Foundation?
Answer: No, enrollment/employment at the university is not required at the application stage, but the candidate must be enrolled at a Danish PhD school if awarded, and any co-funding must be confirmed.
Documentation of positive commitment from both the graduate school, the educational institution and, where relevant, the industrial partner; confirmed commitment of co-funding from the educational institution/industrial partner
Timeline
- Question: If the announcement is in September 2026, the studies are expected to start during the winter of 2026 or even in September 2027?
Answer: PhD studies are expected to start after the final selection in September 2026. The exact start date may vary depending on the educational institution and the organisational setup, but typically it would begin in late 2026 or early 2027. This would also be included in the proposed timeline in the application. - Question: When is the pitch round?
Answer: The possible pitch round will take place in September, Week 38. More precise information about the exact time will be shared with shortlisted applicants in due course.
Note:
All applicants are encouraged to carefully read the PhD call and review the Bevica Scholarship Programme website for guidance.
PhD call: https://www.bevicafonden.dk/en/universal-design-hub/phd-call
Bevica Scholarship Programme: https://www.bevicascholarship.dk/
https://www.bevicafonden.dk/scholarship-programme
Important dates
Application deadline
The application must be recieved by the Bevica Foundation no later than 12.00 pm.
NEW: Online information meeting
You can sign up via our calendar, which can be found in the header under the Conversations tab.
Deadline for application
The application must be received by the Bevica Foundation no later than 12 noon.
The assessment committee works
The assessment committee selects and review the projects that will be considered for funding. For more on this process, please read the application criteria above.
Announcements
Final selection and announcement of awarded PhD scholarships
Assessment Committee
Applications will be assessed by an international assessment committee.
The international assessment committee is chaired by the Chair of the Bevica Foundation. The other members of the committee wil be annonunced on this page as soon as possible.
The Bevica Foundation’s Universal Design Hub serves as the committee’s secretariat.
