DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program @Digital Democracy Centre at the University of Southern Denmark

The Digital Democracy Centre (DDC) at the University of Southern Denmark has officially opened applications for the 2027 DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program, a prestigious initiative designed to advance interdisciplinary research and public engagement on the impact of digital technologies and artificial intelligence on democracy, media, and society. This fellowship is one of the few global programs that intentionally brings together researchers, journalists, and policymakers to co-create knowledge, strengthen democratic resilience, and shape the future of digital governance.

The program is supported by TrygFonden, one of Denmark’s major philanthropic foundations, and is anchored within DDC’s mission to explore how digitalization and AI influence political communication, public trust, media systems, and democratic processes. According to the document, the fellowship “fosters collaboration between researchers, journalists, and policymakers in exploring the impact of digital technology and AI on media, politics, and democracy” .

Program Overview

The DDC x TrygFonden Fellowship Program is designed to generate new knowledge, strengthen networks, and produce tangible outputs such as:

• Policy briefs
• Educational packages
• Public talks
• Outreach activities
• Collaborative research
• Practical tools for institutions, NGOs, and media organizations

Fellows work closely with a self-selected DDC mentor, who must confirm mentorship before the application is submitted. As stated in the document, “Applications without a confirmed mentor will automatically be rejected” .

The program welcomes three types of fellows:

1. Academic fellows researching digital technologies and democracy
2. Journalist fellows covering digital democracy topics
3. Policy fellows contributing to regulatory debates and practical implementation

Projects with relevance to Denmark or those offering comparative insights applicable to Danish society are prioritized. In 2027, projects connected to the Hybrid Warfare Initiative—which examines societal resilience in the face of new international conflict forms—will receive additional priority.

About the Digital Democracy Centre (DDC)

Founded in 2021 at the University of Southern Denmark, the DDC is a leading interdisciplinary hub dedicated to understanding how digital technologies and AI shape democratic life. The document notes that digitalization “affects the very core of democracy” and raises questions about microtargeting, fake news, algorithmic decision-making, and trust in information .

DDC’s research spans:

• Digital Democratic Integrity
• Digital Democracy & Societal Transition
• AI, Media & Journalism
• Citizens, Organizations & New Technologies

The Centre includes approximately 50 researchers across fields such as:

• Computer science
• Journalism
• Political science
• Media studies
• Law
• Economics
• Communication

DDC leadership includes prominent scholars such as Professor Claes de Vreese, Associate Professor Lena Frischlich, Associate Professor Curd Knüpfer, and Professor Josphine Lukito.

Purpose of the Fellowship Program

The fellowship aims to:

• Expand DDC’s knowledge base
• Strengthen collaboration between DDC, TrygFonden, and external partners
• Produce new interdisciplinary insights
• Support public debate in Denmark and beyond
• Create practical outputs such as policy briefs, educational tools, and public talks

Fellows gain access to:

• A dedicated DDC mentor
• Research resources
• Flexible workspaces
• Speaker series and networks
• Financial support (salary subsidy or stipend)
• The DDC alumni network

The document states that benefits “may include financial support, access to DDC’s research resources, flexible working spaces, speaker series, and networks” .

Expectations for Fellows

Fellows are expected to:

• Engage actively in DDC activities
• Collaborate with other fellows and researchers
• Participate in seminars, workshops, and public outreach
• Coordinate stays in Odense, Denmark, aligned with the Danish working calendar
• Submit a short report within two months after completing the fellowship

Fellows must also secure support from their home institution or employer before applying.

Practical Structure of the Fellowship

• Duration: Typically 2–6 months (longer possible in exceptional cases)
• Start Date: Any time in 2027
• Work Format: Combination of remote work and in-person stays in Odense
• Financial Support: Salary subsidy or stipend (applicants must specify needs)
• Collaboration: Fellows work with a mentor and external partners such as NGOs, media organizations, ministries, schools, or consumer organizations

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

1. Preliminary project title
2. Fellowship type (academic, journalist, or policy)
3. Brief project description (max 1000 characters)
4. Detailed description & timeline (max 2400 characters), including:
   • Fellowship duration (minimum two months)
   • Start date within Danish working times
   • Confirmed mentor
   • Work plan (remote vs. in-office)
5. Description of collaboration with external partners (max 1000 characters)
6. Expected outputs (max 500 characters)
7. CV (max 5 pages)
8. Budget overview (flights, housing, research costs, salary compensation, etc.)

Applications must be written in English.

Deadline

Application Deadline: September 1, 2026 Decisions will be communicated by October 1, 2026.

For more information about this opportunity ad to apply visit here

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