New organisation introduced in the Ministry of Higher Education and Science

Danish Agency for Institutions and Educational Grants

The Danish Agency for Institutions and Educational Grants has primary responsibility for institutions that fall under the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, including all higher education institutions, public research foundations, GTS (Advanced Technology Group) institutes, etc. The agency allocates and administrates grants and funding to institutions and has the main contact and dialogue with institutions regarding control of targets and results, inspection and administration.   The agency also has primary responsibility for SU (Danish students' Grants and Loans Scheme), including regular educational grants, the state's adult education grants, as well as other special grant schemes for educational applicants. The agency also has responsibility for ongoing operation and development of SU systems, as well as sector- and institutional-related IT.   Furthermore, the Danish Agency for Institutions and Educational Grants contributes expert knowledge in the provision of ministerial services and policy development in cooperation with the Department.  

Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education

The Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education has responsibility for all tasks that require particular expertise within the areas of research and education – across all institutions.   The agency lays the foundation for further development of high-quality Danish research and higher education, and works to promote good international interaction in both research and education areas. The agency contributes to new analyses, and follows professional developments and discussions within the sector. The agency also manages tasks that support a high level of quality in national research infrastructure. It is also the Danish space authority.   Other areas covered by the agency include EU and global cooperation within education and research, international education programmes, assessment and recognition of foreign education programmes, accreditation, and the space area.   Moreover, the Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education contributes expert knowledge in the provision of ministerial services and policy development in cooperation with the Department.  

Department

The Department has primary responsibility for ministerial services and policy development at the Ministry of Higher Education and Science, including pre-legislative tasks. The Department provides daily advice and preparation for the minister and is responsible for producing cases for the minister, in conjunction with professional contribution from the agencies. The Department follows political developments closely and carries out strategic analyses, as well as participating in international political cooperation within the areas of education, research and innovation. The Department manages the coordination of contact with the Parliament and other ministries in political matters and has responsibility for media coordination across the entire ministry's area. Furthermore, the Department is responsible for cross-ministry internal functions such as HR and corporate development.  

Strengthening framework for education and research

The objective of the organisational changes is to strengthen the management of the ministry's tasks, including improved cohesion between education, research and innovation, good provision of ministerial services and policy development, and create a clear division of responsibility in the ministry.