Aarhus University Seal

AU CellFOOD Call for funding May 2023

Deadline May 22nd 2023

Cellular food comprises the concept of producing food, based on a cultured cell-mass i.e., cultured cells or produced by micro-organisms. These methods makes it possible to produce animal products with significantly lower resource consumption and CO2 footprint, than traditional production with the aim not to compromise human health and obtain consumer acceptance of products. 

The CellFood flagship targets to initiate many new collaborative projects, deliver new knowledge, technologies and talent development through initiating major research projects and make AU ready to absorb /respond to calls in the area in the very near future.

This seed funding for bigger applications should focus on interdisciplinary research within CellFood areas.

A maximum of 1.7 M DKK will be granted through this 2023 call and new calls will be announced annually for the next 3 years.

Seed funding up to a maximum of 500.000 DKK /activity can support activities like: 

  • Co-financing of Ph.D.-projects.
  • Salary and/or running costs for smaller seed activities (research assistant/post-docs/
  • /technician, small-scale equipment) aimed at obtaining preliminary data/proof-of-concept to be used in larger applications or industrial collaborations within the area of Cell Food as described above.
  • Smaller equipment for use in relevant projects (max. 30.000 DKK)
  • Mobility grants for international stays with relevance for the CellFood Flagship.

Applications describing project aim and activities, timeline and for projects a description of future application-plans if the project is successful. The application must not exceed two-pages, exclusive of references, all other material or links will not be included in the evaluation. The following appendices should be included: budget in available template, one-page CV of the main applicant (Supervisor/PI on the project) and of collaboration partners important for the project.

Applications are evaluated by a committee comprising Mogens Sandø Lund, Mette Hansen, Liisa Lähteenmäki and Jette Feveile Young 

Applications will be evaluated with regard to their relevance for the Cell Food Flagship, the 

scientific content and feasibility, potential of future external project applications, the CV of the applicant(s) and the budget. Applications involving partners from more AU Departments are encouraged.

Applicants can expect to receive response to their application ultimo June 2023. Funded activities must start no later than January 2nd 2024 otherwise the funding will be withdrawn.

Successful applicants are obliged to participate and present the project and results in the form of an oral presentation or a poster at an annual CellFood meeting/workshop/conference.