By Lasse Panny Pedersen  and Malene Eriksen, AAU Communication and Public Affairs
Photo: AAU. Graphics: Alberte Spork 

The purpose of AAU Excellence is to give AAU's most talented researchers the best conditions for developing into the top researchers of the future. The ambition is for the programme's participants to develop groundbreaking, original research at such a high level that they can bring in prestigious research grants in the future.

This year's selected participants

The eight new participants who will join the program as of 2026 are:

· Helene Halkjær Jensen, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience

· Kasper Tolborg, Assistant Professor, Department of Chemistry and Bioscience

· Marianne Hundahl Hansen, Assistant Professor, Department of Law

· Serena Yunran Zhang, Postdoc, Department of Sociology and Social Work

· Nicklas Vinter, Postdoc, Department of Clinical Medicine

· Laura Sirucek, Postdoc, Department of Health Science and Technology

· Meng Yuan, Assistant Professor, Department of Sustainability and Planning

· Szymon Gres, Postdoc, Department of Electronic Systems

Thorough selection process

The annual selection of new participants for AAU Excellence entails an extensive process. Based on an open call on 1 May 2025, 54 early-career researchers submitted a brief expression of interest in June. After a thorough assessment, 16 applicants were selected to send a detailed application. These applications were then assessed by international experts in the relevant disciplines. The final assessment and selection took place last week, with the programme’s committee conducting individual interviews with the 16 applicants.

About AAU Excellence

AAU Excellence selects eight new participants annually – two from each of AAU's four faculties. The program opened its doors to the first eight participants on 1 January 2025. As part of their two-year stint in the programme, participants are offered mentoring by

the university's leading professors, exclusive academic and network-oriented activities, research manager training and a participant grant to mature their own research ideas and expand their scientific networks. The programme's activities have been developed in close collaboration between the programme's director and the committee with the aim of strengthening the participants' competences and preparing them to become the top researchers of the future.

Professor Henrik Halkier, AAU Excellence Programme Director says:

"It is a pleasure to have a new team of participants in place. I look forward to welcoming these talented early-career researchers and following their progress over the next two years. I am certain that the programme will provide all of them with new knowledge and perspectives that can strengthen their already positive development."

Next selection round

For those interested in the programme, there is good news. The next application round will begin in the first half of 2026 with admission to the programme as of 1 January 2027.

Read more about AAU Excellence on the programme's website and follow LinkedIn for regular updates on activities and upcoming posts.