To be eligible for the AAU PoC grant, the following criteria must be met:

• You must be an employee of Aalborg University.
• The project must be based on an invention that is protected by intellectual property (IP), such as novel hardware or software.
• Alternatively, projects based on research results that cannot be protected by IP—such as those in the social sciences, humanities, or knowledge-based business concepts may also be considered, provided a knowledge transfer agreement is established.

Before applying for the AAU PoC Grant, the following formal requirements must be fulfilled:

• IP rights must be finalized at the time of application. This includes reporting the invention, completing patent screening, and transferring ownership.
• Aalborg University must own 100% of the IP rights, with any third-party rights fully transferred to AAU.
• For non-IP protectable inventions, a formal knowledge transfer agreement must be in place, transferring relevant rights to AAU before funding can be granted.

All applications for AAU PoC must be prepared in collaboration with the Business Developer from AAU Technology Transfer Office who was assigned to your project in connection with your invention disclosure.

AAU Proof of Concept runs until 2027 and is funded 80% by AAU Innovation and 20% by the faculties.

You can apply for two different types of AAU PoC projects. Each type varies in grant size and length:

TYPE 1 PROJECT

Type 1 projects may apply for funding of up to DKK 50.000 with a maximum project duration of 3 months.

The funds can be used to help clarify and refine an invention, with the goal of reducing both technical and commercial risks.

TYPE 2 PROJECT

Type 2 projects may apply for funding of up to DKK 350.000 with a maximum project duration of 6 months.

These projects focus on developing, quality-testing, and verifying an invention, that is, maturing and documenting its technological and commercial potential.

Funding may be used for activities such as technical trials and prototype testing to demonstrate feasibility, exploring application opportunities and market potential, developing a business model, and engaging commercial partners to support the continued development of the research-based invention.

The application assessment will, among others, be based on the following requirements:

• Clarity of the problem and solution (the technology/software).
• Innovation potential.
• Basic understanding of your potential users and basic business model.

Please remember that the AAU PoC is an innovation grant and that your application should reflect the commercial potential of your technology.

Download the application template to begin your application. The template should be followed with the mandatory sections being:

1. The problem and solution
2. Basic user and market analysis
3. Your proposed project plan
4. Your budget
5. Your team 

The remaining sections are optional, although, if filled they will contribute positively to the overall score. 

The completed application template must be sent to the Business Developer who was assigned to you when you disclosed your invention.

📌 If your invention has not been disclosed, please do so before applying here.

After the application deadline, you will be invited to a pitch event to present your application (of you meet all the requirements).

About the pitch event:

• You will have 15 minutes to pitch and 10 minutes of Q&A.
• Physical attendance is required, however, employees from AAU Esbjerg and AAU Copenhagen campuses may pitch online.
• You choose your own pitch deck, although, you may benefit from using the basis from the application form.