PhD and postdoc projects at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts hosts a small group of practice-based arts research projects on PhD and postdoc level. Every year, the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts holds a round of applications for research positions. For the 2024/25 we will only accept applications for hosting of postdoctoral research projects. Deadline for applications 2024/25 is October 1, 2024 at 12:00 (noon). You can find the application link at the bottom of this page.

In practice-based arts research, the candidate applies methods developed in the artistic practice onto a relevant field of research. The main focus for all our projects is the development of the individual artistic practice. Consequently, the research combines practice elements such as works, performances, and/or exhibitions with written reflection.

At the Art Academy, you will develop your PhD or postdoc-project in a professional environment built on mutual exchange of knowledge as well as individual initiative. We offer teaching experience in an arts education environment, as well as professional and pedagogical feedback. We expect you to contribute actively to the teaching and learning environment within the institution.

All PhD and postdoc projects within practice-based art research at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts are supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF). PhD projects are based at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts and the PhD degree is given by a Danish university. That means that the University provides academic supervision through a main supervisor. It is possible to have a secondary supervisor at the Art Academy

APPLICATIONS 2024: HOSTING OF POSTDOC PROJECTS

If you wish to apply for an NNF-funded postdoctoral position through the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, you must first apply for a hosting agreement from Art Academy. A hosting agreement means that the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts recognizes a research proposal as meting both the highest professional standard as well as being in line with the Academy’s current teaching and research.

The hosting agreement confirms that the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts will employ the candidate and provide a workspace, given that the candidate obtains funding; and that they must teach in one of the Academy’s departments as part of their work obligations. Both PhD and postdoc researchers can use the Art Academy’s laboratories (workshops) as an integrated part of their research, and it should be clearly stated in the application if this pertains to your research project. Applicants who obtain a hosting agreement will be offered feedback and assistance on the steps towards the final application.

Applicants for postdoc scholarships should document qualifications on Ph.D-level. Applications should be submitted using the link at the bottom of the page.

The application must contain:

Research Proposal (not exceeding 2 pages of 2400 characters including spaces)
1-page CV (size 12 font)
1-page statement (not exceeding 2000 characters including spaces) on how your research proposal connects to the Academy’s teaching and research.
Visual portfolio of maximum 3 pages in length, that both documents the artistic practice and supports the proposed project.

Applications exceeding these page limitations will not be considered.
We assess applications based on the following criteria:

The originality and potential of the individual project
The relevance of the project to the Academy’s teaching and research
The feasibility of the project within a timeframe of 3 year’s full-time study

We expect applicants to have

A professional artistic practice on the highest level
A substantial and well-documented artistic practice

Please note that it is a requirement for the continued funding of the research project that the researcher contributes actively on a daily level to the development of the institution’s research environment, with the exception of periods when they are on relevant research trips and stays abroad. If you are not currently living in Copenhagen please include a plan for how you will maintain an active presence at the Academy for more than 60% of your project.

We welcome applications from the broadest possible fields of artistic expression as well as projects that are interdisciplinary at their core. We encourage applications from artist who have established a solid artistic practice and therefore also from artist who are at an advanced stage of their career.

The Art Academy encourages all qualified applicants to apply and does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, age or sexual orientation.

Non-EU applicants should investigate the relevant tax and employment conditions before embarking upon the application process, as we are only able to provide limited guidance on this subject.

The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts does not provide feedback on rejected applications.
Applicants who obtain a hosting agreement will be offered feedback and assistance on the steps towards the final application.

IMPORTANT DATES AND APPLICATION LINK 2024

Tuesday June 18, 2024: Information meeting at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. We recommend all applicants to attend, since our ability to answer general questions about applications is limited. The meeting will be hosted by Maibritt Borgen, Head of the Laboratory for Arts Research.

Venue: The Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts, Den Gule Risalit, Kongens Nytorv 1
Date: 18.6 2024
Time: 4.30 to 6.00 pm

There will also be the option of following the meeting on Zoom. If you wish to do so, please send an email to: stating “zoom link for information meeting” in the topic field

October 1, 2024: Deadline for submitting a hosting agreement application to the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. Applications should be submitted using this link: https://candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationInit.aspx?cid=5001&ProjectId=180843&DepartmentId=8832&SkipAdvertisement=true

Applicants can expect an answer by mid-October

If you have any further questions, please email

The Novo Nordisk Foundation holds an annual inspiration meeting about the postgraduate study of artistic subjects, providing information about funding opportunities and featuring presentations from previous funding recipients. For further information about this and other matters, visit:
https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/what-we-support/