New programme – new call for proposals: Funding for Danish-African university partnerships

Published June 13, 2025

First call: New partnerships for Danish and African universities
Innovation, skills development and student mobility are at the core of the new “Knowledge and Innovation Programme” launched by the Danish government in June 2025. It offers funding for partnerships between Danish and African universities and it will be managed by the Danida Fellowship Centre.

Strengthening the partnerships between Danish and African universities
The Ministry of Higher Education and Science and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark have launched a new and ambitious “Knowledge and Innovation Programme”. This initiative aims to strengthen partnerships between Danish and African universities and enable more African students to undertake study stays in Denmark.

Online info meeting: Knowledge and Innovation Programme
Would you like to learn more about the new Danish-African university partnership programme? Join us for an online info session on 19 June, 10:00–11:30 am CET.

Panel debate: Shared solutions – the role of Danish–African university partnerships
How can cross-continental partnerships in higher education contribute to solving major global challenges? And what are the long-term benefits — for both Denmark and African partner countries — of deeper university collaboration and increased student exchange? Join the in-person panel debate at “Folkemødet in Bornholm” 11:00 – 11:45 am on 13 June, Verdensmålenes Plads.

A year on: The journey of a Kenyan Master’s student
Student mobility, an integral part of the new “Knowledge and Innovation Programme”, is something we began exploring last year. In September 2024, a group of 17 African Master's students arrived to pursue their degrees at Danish universities. One of them was Ronaldo Juma Jacko from Kenya.

Partnerships through education and exchange
For these three Master's students, there is no doubt. Not only does studying in an international setting broaden and challenge their perspectives, but it also makes them more knowledgeable and capable.

Development research annual report 2024
For over 40 years, support for development research has been a cornerstone in Denmark’s development cooperation. Each year, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark invests approximately DKK 250 million in this area, with Danida Fellowship Centre managing the grants on the ministry’s behalf. The 2024 Annual Report gives insight into how the funds are managed and displays some of the impacts they have helped achieve.

LinkedIn updates from our learning community
Curious about the learning programmes we offer partners in Danish sector cooperation programmes in the Global South? Explore the freshest insights as told by our participants and partners in the annual report for 2024.

LinkedIn updates from our research community
Looking for the latest updates from Danida-funded research projects? Get the news directly from our researchers and their partners.

Danida fellows – click here
The very minute you have been accepted as a Danida fellow, you are automatically part of the wider global Danida Fellows Network.

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