DTU submits annually about 2 000 funding applications for Danish, international, and EU funding. These funding applications are for the funding of Research and Development projects, within DTU's specific business areas.

In 2013, DTU submitted funding applications for a total of 6.5 billion DKK. 12 % of these applications were for EU funding, under EU, FP7, Life +, Erasmus Mundus, EFSA and others. Funding applications for Danish funding (both public and private) in 2013 were submitted for a total of 5.7 billion DKK.

The applications were submitted for research funding within DTU's core areas of expertise, which are:

— Health, demographic change and well-being;

— Food security, sustainable agriculture and forestry, marine and maritime and inland water research, and the Bio economy;

— Secure, clean and efficient energy;

— Smart, green and integrated transport;

— Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials;

— Europe in a changing world — inclusive, innovative and reflective societies;

— Secure societies — protecting freedom and security of Europe and its citizens.

Submission of proposals for external funding requires normally dedicated resources for a short period of time, while the proposals are being developed. Therefore DTU requests the services of short-time consultants to deal with the formulation, preparation and development of these funding applications.