Can I submit the application myself?
No. All applications must be developed in collaboration with an assigned Business Developer, who is responsible for the formal submission and nomination.

Do I need to have rights clarified before applying?
Yes. Rights and ownership must be fully clarified before a project can proceed. Applications with unresolved or insufficient rights clarification will be rejected administratively.

What if another institution co-owns the invention?
You can still apply, but co-ownership and any pro rata co-funding must be settled first. The project cannot be submitted until a co-funding agreement is officially in place and approved.

What leads to an administrative rejection?
Applications may be rejected before the pitch phase if rights are not clarified, a Business Developer was not involved, the Letter of Support is missing, the project is not innovation-oriented, or it falls outside the program's scope.

What are the different funding types available? 

• Type 1 - Early clarification project
  Offers up to DKK 50,000 for a maximum of 3 months. It is intended for the initial clarification of technical and commercial risks, feasibility, early prototype work, or market/application clarification.
• Type 2 - Maturation Project
  Offers up to DKK 350,000 for a maximum of 6 months. It supports substantial maturation and validation, including prototype development, technical trials, quality testing, market validation, and preparation for external funding, licensing, or spin-out.

Can a project receive PoC funding more than once?
As a general rule, a project is limited to one PoC grant. Exceptions are rare and require documented evidence of strong traction, significant external commercial interest, or a proven need for further maturation.

Can I change my project's budget or timeline later?
Yes, but this requires a formal change request. You must provide an updated budget and timeline along with a clear explanation for the requested changes.

Personnel & Time: Buy-out of researchers, Ph.D.s, and scientific assistants from ordinary research or teaching to focus on the development of the invention.

Project Staff: Hiring project workers to work specifically on the maturation of the innovation alongside the research team.

Equipment & Materials: The purchase, operation, or leasing of equipment and materials justified by the PoC project.

Travel: Travel expenses for staff and external consultants necessary for the project.

External Services: Fees for external services including technical testing, prototype development, market research, feasibility studies, and business model development.

Commercialization Support: Involving external assistance for market assessment, partner dialogue, and the commercialization of the invention.

What are the reporting requirements after receiving funding?
Funded projects must complete both mid-term and final reporting. This includes updates on milestones, any deviations from the original plan, results, and financial documentation.

What happens if I don't comply with reporting?
Failure to meet reporting requirements may result in the remaining funds not being transferred.

You application will be scored according to the following criteria:

1. Disclosure age: How mature is the case, and how long has it been in the AAU innovation pipeline?
2. Pain & Cure: Is the problem clearly described, and is the proposed solution compelling?
3. Technology Description + Applications: Is the technology clearly explained, and are its potential applications realistic and relevant?
4. The Market; Business Model: Is there a clear market opportunity and a credible business model?
5. Competitors and Value Propositions: Are competing solutions understood, and is the project’s value proposition clear?
6. Intellectual Property: Are IP, rights and ownership sufficiently clarified to support commercialisation?
7. Risk and Mitigations: Are key technical, commercial and project risks identified, with credible mitigation actions?
8. Project Plan + Milestones: Is the project plan concrete, realistic and linked to measurable milestones?
9. Post-Project Timeline: Is there a credible plan for what happens after PoC funding ends?
10. The Team: Does the team have the relevant scientific, technical and commercial capabilities to execute the project?
11. Project Budget: Is the budget realistic, justified and aligned with the proposed PoC activities?