Application

Ready to Apply?

The BII Early Innovators Grant supports students and recent graduates who want to test, develop, and validate promising ideas.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and evaluated by an independent review panel.

Apply here!

Who Can Apply?

To be eligible, at least one member of the team must:

  • Be a current Bachelor, Master, or PhD student at the University of Copenhagen, or
  • Have graduated from the University of Copenhagen within the past two years

Applicants must also be active members of the KU Lighthouse community. If you are not already a Resident, you can become one before receiving funding.

What Makes a Strong Application?

We are looking for projects that:

  • Wholly or partially address one of the challenge areas
  • Offer a compelling solution or direction
  • Have a clear plan for testing key assumptions
  • Demonstrate commitment from the team
  • Present a realistic and justified budget

The strongest applications show exactly how the funding will help answer important questions about the idea and move the project forward.

Application Guidelines

How to Apply

Applications are submitted here on the Lighthouse website via our online application portal and consist of two required documents which you must fill out for your project:

Both templates can be downloaded above.

 

 

Step 1: Download the Templates

Download the Project Proposal Template and Budget Template from the application page.

Step 2: Prepare Your Project Proposal

Complete the Project Proposal Template by describing:

  • The challenge area you are addressing
  • Your proposed solution
  • The value and impact of your idea
  • Your validation plan and milestones
  • Your team and commitment to the project

The template is structured around the evaluation criteria and includes guidance for each section.

Step 3: Prepare Your Budget

Complete the Budget Template by outlining how you plan to use the funding over the project period.

Your budget should clearly explain how each expense supports the development or validation of your idea.

Step 4: Submit Your Application

Upload both completed templates through the application portal.

Please ensure all sections are completed before submitting.

Step 5: Application Review

Applications are first reviewed for eligibility and then evaluated by an independent review panel.

Projects are assessed based on:

  • Relevance to BII focus areas
  • Clarity of the idea
  • Innovation and value creation
  • Quality of the validation plan
  • Team commitment
  • Budget realism

Step 6: Funding Decision

Recommended applications are forwarded to BioInnovation Institute for final approval.

Applicants will be notified of the outcome once the review process has been completed.

 

 

FAQs

1. Eligibility
  • Do I need to have a company?
    No. The grant is specifically designed to support very early-stage projects. You can apply before creating a company.
  • Do I need a prototype?
    No. Many successful projects begin with an idea and a plan for testing it.
  • Can I apply as an individual?
    Yes. Individual applicants and teams are both welcome.

2. Funding

  • Can students receive the funding directly?
    No. Project expenses are administered through KU Lighthouse. This allows teams to access resources without personally covering costs upfront.
  • What can the funding be used for?
    Funding can be used for expenses directly related to validating and developing your idea.
  • How much funding can I request?
    Projects can request up to DKK 100,000.

3. Process

  • Is there an application deadline?
    Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis while funding remains available.
  • What happens after the project ends?
    Teams will be invited to share what they learned through a short project summary and a presentation at a showcase event.
  • Who owns the intellectual property?
    You do. Any intellectual property developed through the project remains with the project team.