Apply for a PhD with your own project

There are two annual ordinary open calls, one in the spring semester and one in the autumn semester. When there is an ordinary open call it is advertised here.

To be enrolled as a PhD student, you must apply for enrolment and have your project approved and financed.

In our ordinary open calls you apply for enrolment and a faculty fellowship. In addition, a number of fully financed integrated PhD fellowships from the Graduate School of Health is offered.

When you apply for admission, you apply for one of our graduate programmes. You can read more about the graduate programmes here.

All PhD applications are evaluated based on the submitted material within the deadline, using the assessment criteria for PhD fellowships.

When all applications have been assessed by the Stipend Committee, you get a reply to your application (see the timeline below). See the types of admission offers.

ALWAYS consult our application guide to learn about our admission requirements and mandatory elements of the application before you apply!

Here are 12 things you need to consider and remember before you apply!

Do you meet our requirements for enrolment? Application guide: ordinary open calls
Does your project description adhere to our rules? Application guide: ordinary open calls
Do you know how your application is assessed? Assessment of application

Attachments (should be uploaded only in PDF) – did you remember:

Your project description? Project description (word)
A recommendation from your main supervisor? Recommendation from main supervisor (Word)
Your CV?
Bachelor’s and Master’s degree diplomas and transcripts of records?
Motivation and competences? Motivation and competences (Word).
The initial PhD plan? Initial PhD plan (Word)
Language documentation (recommended, documentation required before actual enrolment)?
A budget? You are welcome to use this budget form (Excel)
Any other documents relevant to your application?

Timeline for ordinary open calls for PhD applications for enrolment and fellowship 2025-2026

Spring 2026 - enrolment and fully financed PhD fellowship

Call	Application for	Invitation for interview	Reply	Earliest starting date
29/1-26/2-2026*	Enrolment and fully financed PhD fellowship	End of April	End of May	1/6/2026

*dates can be subject to change

Autumn 2026 - enrolment and fully financed PhD fellowship

Call	Application for	Inviation for interview	Reply	Earliest starting date
3/8-3/9-2026*	Enrolment and fully financed PhD fellowship	End of October	End of November	1/12/2026

*dates can be subject to change

Problems submitting your application?

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Doing a PhD at Aarhus University

Find more information about what it is like to do a PhD at AU

Are you an international applicant?

Find information about doing a PhD i Denmark and what practicalities you need to be aware of.

Aarhus University

Aarhus University is a leading public research university with global reach. The Faculty of Health offers a vibrant and informal research environment with longstanding traditions for collaboration with the Danish health care sector and with international university partners in the absolute elite.

The university main building is located in the middle of the vibrant student city of Aarhus and nearby is the Aarhus University Hospital.

Aarhus University is committed to career development. As a PhD student, you have access to dedicated supervision, career counselling and an extensive training programme.

Aarhus University strives to be an inclusive workplace that promotes equal opportunities. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply, regardless of their personal background.

A PhD is a full time time-limited position. Salary and terms of employment are in accordance with applicable collective agreement. To be enrolled, you need to document that you have the funding for the entire enrolment period. If your work involve direct contact with children under 15, you need to obtain statements of no previous convictions in respect of children.

Before applying applicants are advised to study the rules and regulations of PhD studies at Graduate School of Health. You can also read more about doing a PhD at Aarhus University here.

Revised 26.02.2026

Graduate School of Health