DDC Thesis Grant

Are you planning to write your master’s thesis at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) during the autumn semester of 2026? Does your thesis focus on how digitalization, algorithms, or artificial intelligence affect democracy?

If so, you can apply for financial support of up to DKK 15,000 for your thesis through the Digital Democracy Centre (DDC) at SDU.

We particularly encourage applications from master’s students in fields such as political science, journalism, psychology, philosophy, law, social sciences, computer science, and data science. However, students from all degree programs are welcome to apply, provided that their thesis relates to the themes described above.

About the Digital Democracy Centre

The Digital Democracy Centre (DDC) is an interdisciplinary research center at the Faculty of Social Sciences at SDU. The center focuses on digitalization, AI, and democracy and works across faculties and disciplines.

At DDC, theories and methods from the social sciences and computer science are combined to study the effects of digitalization, algorithms, and AI on media, politics, and democracy.

Read more about the DDC HERE.

Application Process

To apply for funding, you must:

• Be enrolled as a master’s student at SDU.

• Have a thesis topic that relates to DDC’s research interests.

• Submit an application containing the information outlined below.

Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis. We therefore encourage interested students to apply as early as possible.

Application Requirements

Your application must include:

• Thesis Abstract (max. 250 words): A brief summary of your thesis plans, including the preliminary problem statement, the relevance of the thesis, and an overview of the methods you plan to use.

• Project Description (max. 250 words): A more detailed explanation of the problem statement and the theoretical and societal relevance of the thesis.

• Research Design (max. 250 words): A description of the research design, including considerations regarding empirical data and methodology.

• Budget Description (max. 150 words): An explanation of how you plan to use the requested funding.

In addition, the application must include:

• Your name(s)

• Your SDU email address(es)

• Grade transcript(s)

• The degree program(s) in which you are enrolled

• Documentation confirming that you are enrolled as a thesis student for the autumn semester of 2026

The application must be sent to ddc@sdu.dk no later than October 31, 2026.

Applications will be evaluated on an ongoing basis, and applicants may therefore receive a decision before the application deadline.

After completing the thesis, recipients of the DDC Thesis Grant must submit a short English abstract, summary, or video presenting the project and its main findings. This material may be published on DDC’s website.

What can the funds be used for?

Recipients of the DDC Thesis Grant can receive financial support of up to DKK 15,000.

The funds may, for example, be used for:

• Access to software

• Purchase of data or data access

• Purchase of equipment

• Payments to research participants or test subjects

• Travel expenses

• Other relevant costs related to the thesis process

For further details on the use of the funds, please see the section “Budget Considerations” below.

Selection Process

Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprising members of DDC.

Applications are evaluated on an ongoing basis based on the relevance and quality of the proposed thesis project, its connection to DDC’s research interests, and the justification for the requested funding.

If you have any questions about the application process, eligible thesis topics, or other aspects of the DDC Thesis Grant, please contact the DDC administration at ddc@sdu.dk.

DDC Thesis Grant – Budget Considerations

Budget Description

The application must include a budget description of no more than 150 words explaining how you plan to use the requested funding.

Budget

The proposed budget should:

• Include realistic and well-justified costs related to the thesis project, such as thesis preparation, pilot studies, data collection, software, equipment, or travel.

• Be cost-conscious. Applicants are encouraged to explore and compare offers from multiple providers where relevant.

• Not exceed the maximum available funding of DKK 15,000.

Remarks

• The funding is administered by the DDC Secretariat. Further practical information will be provided if funding is granted.

• It is important to coordinate with the DDC Secretariat before incurring any expenses to ensure compliance with SDU rules and applicable national legislation.

• The approved budget constitutes a financial framework for covering agreed activities and expense items.

• Any unspent portion of the grant will remain with DDC and cannot be paid out to the recipient.

Questions?

Please contact the DDC Secretariat at ddc@sdu.dk.

Example of a Budget