The Grand Solution Process starts in November when Fundraising & Project Management informs the departments about the process and forthcoming expected deadline for Grand Solution. The departments are asked to consider potential candidates to be supported by Fundraising & Project Management in close collaboration with the local funding support at department level.

The profile of a potential coordinator should be based on the following criteria:

• Has a strong project idea with clear relevance to the Grand Solution call topics. The proposed solution should have large societal impact and a strong business case.
• Minimum associate professor. CV, including list of publications, is not vital.
• Project management experience (not necessarily from a Grand Solution project).
• Is up to date with international state-of-the-art in his/her field of research.
• Is not necessarily a leader in his/her field of research but should be internationally recognized within the field.
• Has experience in writing applications in English (not necessarily Grand Solution projects).
• Has time, as well as the desire and willingness to be responsible for a Grand Solution project.
• Has aligned his/her resources with the head of department.
• Has a network at national level (and international) or is interested in creating it (i.e., preferably a good networker).
• Agrees to be the primary penholder in the application.

The deadline for identifying potential coordinator candidates that would like Fundraising & Project Management’s support is in January. 

Applications that do not meet this deadline will not be guaranteed support from Fundraising & Project Management.

In December and January Fundraising & Project Management offers a "Get started meeting". At the meeting an agreement is made on support/expectations and the involvement of both Fundraising & Project Management and the local funding support team at department level. In addition, the applicant will be advised on the time schedule and the application process. If necessary, a brief introduction to Innovation Fund Denmark and Grand Solution can be provided.

In January Fundraising & Project Management offers a "360 degree inspection meeting". At the meeting the applicant presents the project idea based on a 360 degree template (see Funding Toolbox), and the consortium, value creation, and implementation are discussed.

Fundraising & Project Management provides proposal feedback a minimum of two times during each of the application processes from January to May/June for Phase 1 and from July to September for Phase 2 as well as ongoing advice. Online tools for Grand Solution applications are available in the Funding Toolbox. 

The budget is handled at department level. Fundraising & Project Management offers guidance and recommendations related to the budget.