Elite researchers honoured with awards

• See the programme and read more about the recipients of the awards, scholarships and grants at eliteforsk.dk

Five of Denmark’s most talented researchers are receiving the 2013 EliteForsk Award, with a value of DKK 1.2 million, of which DKK 200,000 is a personal award and DKK 1 million is towards research activities.

The awards will be presented on 7 February by H.R.H. Crown Princess Mary at the Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek in Copenhagen. Higher Education Minister Morten Østergaard will announce the winners.

– The EliteForsk Award is a well-deserved reward for talented researchers who contribute to Denmark’s position among the international research elite, and I am very pleased that with this award, we acknowledge their efforts and help boost new research, says Morten Østergaard.

Recipients of the EliteForsk Award 2013:

• Professor with special responsibilities Claudia Welz, 38, PhD., Dr. habil. at the Department of Systematic Theology, Faculty of Theology, University of Copenhagen
• Associate Professor Ove Christiansen, 42, PhD. at the Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University
• Professor Steen Hannestad, 41, PhD., Dr.Scient. at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Aarhus University
• Professor Ulrik Lund Andersen, 40, PhD. at the Department of Physics, Technical University of Denmark
• Professor Morten Nielsen, 39, Dr.Scient. at the Department of Mathematical Sciences, Aalborg University

In addition to the five EliteForsk awards, the higher education minister will present 20 EliteForsk travel scholarships worth DKK 300,000 each to talented young PhD students who have already excelled in their respective fields.

- The travel scholarships give young talented researchers the opportunity to spend time at some of the world’s very best research environments within their fields. It is important that we learn from and compare ourselves with the greatest international forces. Internationalisation is a keyword within research and the Danish government is developing a strategy that will make it easier for Danish researchers and students to travel and improve themselves, as well as making it easier for talented researchers to come to Denmark and contribute to Danish research environments.

The Danish Council for Independent Research will also present grants from the Sapere Aude research career programme to top researchers, research leaders and young talented researchers. Meanwhile the Danish National Research Foundation will honour this year’s Niels Bohr Visiting Professors.

- It is crucial for the development of Danish research that our researchers have the best opportunities to use and develop their talents. The awards, scholarships and grants presented are recognition of and investment in our many talented researchers, says Morten Østergaard.

• Danish research remains an international leader (in Danish)