New NAT strategy to address challenges of our time

Science plays a key role in addressing the complex challenges of our time – from the green transition and our energy supply to data-driven security and new technologies.

In its new strategy for 2026–2030, the Faculty of Natural Sciences is setting the direction for the ways in which the faculty will contribute knowledge, education and collaborations that make a difference – both nationally and internationally. Dean Birgit Schiøtt says:

“At the faculty, we should not see research and education as detached from the obviously very concrete problems and dilemmas facing the world. We need to be closer to business and industry, be faster at translating research into concrete solutions and educate graduates who can use their expertise to understand and create impact in a changing world – all rooted in our strong basic research environments,” says Birgit Schiøtt.

Unit to develop a culture of collaboration and innovation

As a key strategic initiative, the faculty is establishing a new unit to strengthen knowledge exchange and facilitate external collaboration. Many researchers are keen to engage and connect, but lack time, networks and administrative resources. The unit is to match researchers with the most relevant companies and support concrete collaboration by, for example, offering systematic support for researchers at the earliest stages of the process. 

“With the new unit, we’re creating a framework that will help translate our excellent basic research more quickly into concrete solutions for society. Our ambition is to develop a strong, professional innovation culture bridging the gap between research and application – and to ensure that ideas with potential do not stop in the laboratory,” says Birgit Schiøtt about the new unit, which is presented in greater detail in the annex to the strategy.

The goal is for researchers and companies to be able to meet and work together on shared challenges. This can be through single events inspired by the Brainnovation Days concept, hackathons and other formats that promote creative idea development and networking or through long-term projects spanning several years.

The working title of the unit is ‘Science Bridge’, but Birgit Schiøtt is urging everyone to suggest a name that reflects the unit’s role as a bridge builder between disciplines and between faculty researchers and the outside world.

Strategy combines faculty’s ambitions into three overarching strategic goals

Based on our positions of strength and a number of initiatives following from the implementation of Aarhus University’s strategy, we will work for:1. Excellent research with impact

The faculty will maintain and develop its position as an international beacon of basic research. It is both about creating the best conditions for researchers – with strong research environments, modern infrastructure and an inclusive working environment – and about promoting interdisciplinary collaboration.
The faculty is therefore looking to attract more excellence grants, develop new core facilities and support AI and data-driven research.

2. More impact and knowledge exchange through collaboration

Research has to be of benefit. NAT will therefore strengthen the link between the university and the outside world through a ‘Science Bridge’', which is to serve as an arena for knowledge sharing and external collaboration.
It will enable researchers and companies to meet and exchange knowledge and ideas that can be translated into concrete projects – with the aim of both strengthening our pipeline to The Kitchen and developing new technologies and solutions. The faculty is also leading the way in the creation of more Open Innovation in Science platforms to enable universities and industry to collaborate on the early stages of research without IP barriers.

3. Education for a changing job market

Students must be equipped for a labour market where AI, digitalisation and the green transition are changing the rules of the game. The strategy therefore envisages a number of new Master’s degree programmes, closer collaboration with business and industry and opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship elements in all degree programmes.
At the same time, the faculty will work to attract more international students and thereby ensure that society’s future need for our graduates can be met. In parallel, we will strengthen the recruitment pipeline for science education from primary school to university.

In addition, we will take leadership in developing and implementing two cross-cutting focus areas in Aarhus University’s strategy: Digital frontrunner and Spearheading sustainable development. Both are cross-faculty initiatives and cover both research, education and innovation.

NAT’s new strategy is aligned with the Danish government’s historic investment in research and innovation – more than DKK 19 billion of funding earmarked for climate, health, critical technologies and security, supplemented by non-targeted funding for both research and innovation. It highlights the need for ground-breaking initiatives such as Science Bridge, where non-targeted research is quickly translated into concrete actions and solutions where society needs them most.
Strategic priorities for research and innovation 2026–2029 –Ministry of Higher Education and Science (in Danish)

The NAT Strategy 2026–2030 has been sent out for consultation at the faculty, the deadline for submitting responses being 5 December.  The final strategy will be adopted by the faculty leadership team before Christmas.

Dean Birgit Schiøtt describes the new unit in the column in Omnibus – read it here.