Call for ph.d.-projekter

Universelt design som middel til at skabe et mere inkluderende samfund

Vi oplever alle forskellige og foranderlige funktionsevner gennem vores liv. Det er den fælles erfaring, vi deler. Det kan være permanente funktionsnedsættelser, eller de kan være midlertidige, når vi f.eks. kommer til skade.

Denne fælles erfaring gør, at vi kan og bør stille krav til de rammer, som omgiver og former vores liv og de muligheder, vi har. Sådan er det i langt de fleste tilfælde ikke i dag. Tværtimod er vores samfund generelt designet til en idealiseret, gennemsnitlig og fuldt funktionsdygtig person. Dermed efterlader vi alt for mange tilbage, og vi misser muligheden for at skabe nogle rammer for vores liv og fællesskaber, som flest muligt kan bruge.

Universelt design er et centralt begreb i blandt andet FN’s Handicapkonvention i arbejdet med at skabe et mere inkluderende samfund; konkret forpligter konventionen Danmark til ”at påtage sig eller fremme forskning og udvikling af universelt designede varer, tilbud, udstyr og faciliteter” (Handicapkonvetionen artikel 4(f)). Desuden er Danmark gennem verdensmålene forpligtet på det tværgående princip Leave no one behind, hvor ingen efterlades tilbage i den bæredygtige samfundsudvikling.

Derfor inviterer Bevica Fonden i dette ph.d. call til at udvikle ny forskningsbaseret viden inden for universelt design. Vi inviterer til at indsende ansøgninger, der sætter fokus på faglige og samfundsrelevante problemstillinger relateret til ligeværdig inklusion af mennesker med funktionsnedsættelse og til at undersøge universelt design som et middel til at udvikle og løseproblemstillingen.

Der er afsat en ramme på 10,5 milioner kroner til financieringen, og der udbydes både erhvervs-ph.d.-stipendier og akademiske ph.d.-stipendier.

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Spørgsmål til Ph.d.-call?

Har du spørgsmål til Ph.d.-call'et henviser vi til nedenstående FAQ og det kommende online information meeting d. 28. april 2026.

Tilmeld dig online mødet her

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.
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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?
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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?
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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?
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‍Answer: The PhD call allows applications under different PhD models (see above answer and use links formore information)
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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.