Are you a DTU student with a climate tech startup idea? Get 150,000 DKK in soft funding to kickstart your journey.

Apply

Who can apply?

To be eligible, your startup must meet these criteria:

  • At least one cofounder is a DTU student or has graduated DTU within the past year.
  • The startup addresses a globally recognized climate challenge – see our Portfolio Themes for inspiration.
  • You are enrolled in a startup program or accelerator (such as X-Tech+, Skylab Incubator, Danish Tech Challenge, or GreenUp Accelerator)
  • In addition, you need a CVR number to receive the funding (you don’t need to have one when applying)

What the grant covers

Previous student grantees have used the grant to fund a range of essential expenses, including prototyping, testing, and access to facilities. It has also helped cover legal and accounting costs, salaries, conference and travel expenses to reach customers, and website design and grant-writing assistance.

Receiving the grant also means becoming part of DTU Earthbound’s climate tech community. Grant recipients gain access to exclusive events and community lunches with fellow startups, along with tools and training for impact assessment.


Application Process

The application portal is always open, and you can apply through the apply now button.

Applications are reviewed monthly, and those that meet the eligibility criteria will be invited to a mandatory pitch at the monthly pitching panel, held on the 4th Tuesday of each month. To be considered for that month’s panel, you must apply by midnight on the 3rd Monday of the month.

Your submission must include a detailed and realistic budget covering up to 150,000 DKK for a maximum of 12 months, along with a clear overview of key milestones (OKRs) aligned with your proposed budget. Download a template here. If accepted, you’ll also need to sign a de minimis declaration.

The grant committee will assess applications based on climate impact potential, team motivation, and commercial viability before making a final decision. You will receive an answer from the grant committee within one week of pitching.

Please note: Shortlisted applicants must attend the pitching session in person on the specified dates. Online participation or alternative dates cannot be accommodated, to ensure fairness.

Apply

Pitching panel dates & application deadlines for 2025

May

Tuesday, May 27

Apply by May 19

June

Tuesday, Jun 24 

Apply by Jun 16 

August

Tuesday, Aug 26

Apply by Aug 18

September

Tuesday, Sep 23

Apply by Sep 15

October

Tuesday, Oct 28

Apply by Oct 20 

November

Tuesday, Nov 25

Apply by Nov 17 

FAQ

The grant is open to startups with at least one cofounder who is a DTU student or has graduated within the past year. Your startup must address a globally recognized climate challenge and be enrolled in a DTU startup program or accelerator (such as X-Tech+, Skylab Incubator, Danish Tech Challenge, or Green Up).
The grant provides 150,000 DKK in soft funding.

Previous grantees have used the grant for:

  • Prototyping, testing, and access to facilities
  • Legal and accounting costs
  • Salaries and operational expenses
  • Conference and travel expenses to reach customers
  • Website development, branding, and grant-writing assistance
You can apply at any time through the Apply Now button.

Applications are reviewed monthly.

If your application meets the eligibility criteria, you’ll be invited to pitch at the monthly pitching panel, held on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

To be considered for that month, you must apply by midnight on the 3rd Monday of the month.

You will receive an answer from the grant committee within one week of pitching.
Yes, you can apply without a CVR number, but you’ll need one to receive the funding.
Yes, you can apply for the Earthbound Student Grant more than once, provided you meet the eligibility criteria each time. However, each application must be for different phases or milestones of your startup’s development.
No, you do not need a fully developed product to apply. The grant supports startups at various stages of development, as long as you’re addressing a globally recognized climate challenge and are working toward key milestones that will further your project’s impact.
No, the funding should be allocated towards business-related expenses, such as prototyping, testing, salaries, legal costs, and marketing.
Personal or living expenses are not eligible for grant funding.
Yes, the funding can be used to cover salaries for your team, including hiring additional members or contractors who are essential to meeting your startup’s milestones.
Yes, the funding must be used within a maximum period of 12 months from when it’s awarded.
Yes, you are allowed to apply for other funding or grants simultaneously, as long as the funding doesn’t duplicate the expenses already covered by this grant.
If you fail to meet the milestones within the proposed time frame, we’ll work with you to understand the challenges. However, continued funding may be reassessed based on your progress and the grant agreement.

Contact

Martin Holmboe

Venture Lead

marthol@dtu.dk

Hannah Margareta Robinson

Project Coordinator

hanrob@dtu.dk