Strategy 2026-2031

STRATEGY 2026-2031

FOR THE BENEFIT since OF SOCIETY 1829

CONTENTS 05

Mission

05

Vision

07

Values

08

Strategy in a changing world

10

Strategic Focus Areas:

10

Sustainable technological transition

14

European leadership in critical technologies

18

Educating Europe’s most competent engineers

22

From knowledge to business

26

Scientific leadership and democratic responsibility

30

Foundation to succeed

STRATEGY 2026-2031

FOR THE BENEFIT since OF SOCIETY 1829

DAYLIGHT PIPE An optical fibre can bring daylight through an otherwise solid concrete wall. In this way, it is possible to create better indoor lighting.

Photo: Mikal Schlosser

MISSION DTU develops and creates value through the natural and technical sciences for the benefit of society.

VISION 2031 DTU will be among Europe’s five leading elite technical universities and through excellence in research and education create solutions to the major societal challenges of our time— anchored in democracy, sustainability, and innovation.

INNO VA TION CRE DIBI LITY COM MIT MENT

VALUES

DTU’s values—innovative thinking, credibility, and commitment—permeate everything we do.

Innovation drives us forward. We challenge established truths, think across disciplines, and uncover new ways to solve problems.

Credibility is the foundation of our work.

We are based on scientific rigour, integrity, and openness. When DTU makes a statement, it is based on evidence—not opinion.

Commitment means we take responsibility.

We engage in the major societal challenges, educate the next generation, and engage knowledge.

Different perspectives, backgrounds, and approaches strengthen our research, enrich our study programmes, and bolster our solutions. Diversity turns our values into everyday reality.

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STRATEGY IN A CHANGING WORLD

The world is facing a climate crisis, bio-

DTU is firmly rooted. We are recognized as one

diversity loss, resource scarcity, and increasing

of Europe’s best technical universities thanks

pollution. At the same time, we face geo-

to our skilled students, dedicated staff, and

political instability, authoritarian regimes, and

strong partnerships. We have leading research

that the knowledge-based understanding of

environments, educate highly sought-after

the world is being challenged.

engineers, and are the preferred partner of the corporate sector.

Europe is lagging behind on key technologies such as artificial intelligence, cloud infra-

This strategy is about building on what

structure, and microchips. But Europe has

we are already doing well—and improving

unique strengths: credibility, ethical anchoring,

it further. We must use our position to take

democratic values, and green transition

responsibility. To ensure the technological

leadership. Denmark enjoys positions of

future of Europe, to educate the engineers

strength in areas such as biotechnology,

who will solve tomorrow’s challenges, and

energy technology, medical technology,

to strengthen science as the foundation of

food technology, quantum technology, and

democracy.

space technology.

Our five strategic focus areas: Technological development—especially artificial intelligence—fundamentally transforms the way we do research, learn, and create solutions. Artificial intelligence can accelerate solutions to the climate crisis, but is itself extremely resource-intensive.

This dilemma places new demands on competences and on the role of our University.

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1.

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSITION

3.

EDUCATING EUROPE’S MOST COMPETENT ENGINEERS 5.

SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRATIC RESPONSIBILITY

2.

EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES

4.

FROM KNOWLEDGE TO BUSINESS

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA

1

STUDYING CEMENT-FREE CONCRETE Researchers are studying various types of concrete to gain a deeper understanding of their strength and elasticity.

Photo: Thomas Steen Sørensen

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSITION

SUSTAINABLE TECHNOLOGICAL TRANSITION

DTU will be an important player in securing

Europe is our main priority, but we engage

Europe global leading positions in sustainable

in strategic global collaborations, where

technology development and expanding areas

they strengthen European position and

where we are already successful. These include

independence.

green energy technology, circular economy, quantum technology, water technology,

Opt-out

acoustics, biotechnology, food technology,

We will not conduct research into technologies

energy conversion, computing, materials, and

that limit or delay the transition to a sustai-

space technology.

nable society. We will not develop technologies without transparency about their resource

We take a leading role by:

consumption and about whether they have

– demonstrating how focus on sustainability

negative derived effects such as increased

and green innovation can increase

dependence on authoritarian regimes’ supply

Europe’s competitiveness

chains.

– ensuring that new technology integrates sustainability from the start – translating research breakthroughs into businesses, jobs, and real value.

Through partnerships with leading European universities and businesses, we build a common European capacity for sustainable technological transformation of society. We promote green innovation that creates a long-term competitive advantage for European industry and business.

TUNA TAGGING Every year since 2017, DTU has been tagging bluefin tuna in Danish waters in collaboration with international partners and experienced anglers.

Photo: Jurai.lt

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DTU skal bidrage til europæiske førerpositioner inden for kritiske teknologier.

Vi bygger kapacitet ved at: – Udvikle sikker, gennemsigtig og demokratisk forankret kunstig intelligens – Uddanne talenter, der kan fremme nye europæiske førerpositioner – Indgå strategiske partnerskaber med globale frontløbere, når det bygger europæisk kompetence - Omsætte forskning til virksomheder, arbejdspladser og konkret værdi Kunstig intelligens er en samfundsændrende teknologi, der både kan accelerere løsninger og selv skaber udfordringer. Vi navigerer bevidst i dette dilemma.

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA

2

BATTERIES AS BUFFERS DTU has tested a solution that allows for the rapid charging of electric cars without placing a strain on the electricity grid. This is possible when a rapid charger is combined with a battery. When demand for electricity exceeds production, the battery can act as a buffer for the electricity grid.

Photo: Thomas Steen Sørensen

EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES

EUROPEAN LEADERSHIP IN CRITICAL TECHNOLOGIES

DTU will contribute to European leadership

In our research, we develop the next

positions in critical technologies.

generation of artificial intelligence with a focus on security, transparency, European values,

We build capacity by:

and resource efficiency. We conduct research

– developing secure, transparent,

into how artificial intelligence can accelerate

and democratic artificial intelligence – educating talents to promote new

the green transition—and into the technology’s own climate and resource footprint.

European leadership positions – engaging in strategic partnerships

As we navigate new terrain in dual-use

with global frontrunners, if it builds

technologies and defence research, we ensure

European competence

transparency and are open about ethical and

– translating research into businesses,

geopolitical dilemmas.

jobs, and real value.

Opt-out Artificial intelligence is a society-changing

We will not conduct research into topics

technology that can both accelerate solutions

that do not have international impact, nor will

and create challenges. We navigate this

we participate in projects that do not lead to

dilemma consciously.

either scientific insight or societal value.

PHYSICAL PHENOMENA By studying how ink drawn on paper is absorbed through the paper fibres and dries out, researchers gain new knowledge about the transport of liquids through materials—knowledge that is important when, e.g. determining how breathable a building is.

Photo: DTU 16

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA

3

PLASTIC FROM SUGAR The photo shows granules of PET plastic, which are produced using a new method based on the breakdown of sugar molecules extracted from biomass.

Photo: Thomas Steen Sørensen

EDUCATING EUROPE’S MOST COMPETENT ENGINEERS

EDUCATING EUROPE’S MOST COMPETENT ENGINEERS

DTU will educate engineers and researchers

Our graduates must stand on a solid poly-

who can apply critical thinking, are creative,

technic foundation and be prepared for the

collaborative, and able to navigate complexity.

challenges of the future. They must think critically and creatively and be able to

We will pioneer the future of learning by:

collaborate across disciplines, cultures, and

– investigating and implementing new

sectors. They must be able to drive change

forms of learning

with ethical responsibility and navigate

– experimenting with alternatives to

omplexity while creating confidence in

traditional exam forms

development processes. They must learn

– designing study programmes where

that risk management is a balance where

digital tools free up time for deep learning – collaborating with foundations to

avoiding any risk in itself can be risky.

Finally, they must master digital technologies

translate research into education

with a critical and responsible approach so

– educating for lifelong learning

they can use them to create value for society.

– building lifelong relationships with alumni – learning innovation through hands-on business creation.

Opt-out We will not offer narrow technical specializations without interdisciplinary understanding. We will not offer research careers that do not also emphasize teaching, dissemination, and collaboration.

THE ANECHOIC CHAMBER Students working in one of DTU’s anechoic chambers, which is used to simulate an environment without acoustic reflections when conducting sound research.

Photo: Magnus Møller 20

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA

4

UNWANTED CHANGES DTU studies endocrine disruptors in order to protect unborn fetuses from harm to their reproductive system, among other things. The photo shows a tissue sample from a rat testicle.

Photo: DTU

FROM KNOWLEDGE TO BUSINESS

FROM KNOWLEDGE TO BUSINESS

Research and education have value in

– contributing to the business community

themselves. DTU must contribute to

being able to implement new technology

translating this value into concrete solutions

competitively and responsibly

that benefit society and strengthen European competitiveness. For DTU, innovation is not an add-on—it is fundamental. The transition from laboratory to market, from theory to application, from discovery to business has been at the heart of our societal mission

– being a strategic partner for Danish and European companies – contributing to innovation in the public sector – ensuring that DTU’s inventions are actively exploited for the benefit of society.

since 1829.

We demonstrate that innovation can be We create value by:

pursued transparently, ethically, and with

– expanding and strengthening our

democratic control. Our innovation processes

infrastructure for innovation, the start-up

engage citizens, authorities, and civil society—

and scaling of businesses

not just investors and businesses.

– accelerating the implementation of sustainable technologies through

Opt-out

European partnerships

We will not transfer knowledge that weakens

– integrating innovation into all our study programmes

European independence. We do not consider commercialization to be opposed to research.

– creating companies that solve societal challenges

INNOVATION HUB In DTU Skylab, students, researchers and external partners can collaborate to make DTU technologies work—within existing businesses or by establishing startups.

Photo: Niels Nygaard 25

STRATEGIC FOCUS AREA

5

CELL FACTORIES FOR THE GREEN TRANSITION Microorganisms can be designed to produce substances such as chemicals so that fossil resources can be avoided in chemical production.

Photo: Christian Als

SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRATIC RESPONSIBILITY

SCIENTIFIC LEADERSHIP AND DEMOCRATIC RESPONSIBILITY

In everything we do, DTU guarantees scientific

We work to ensure that complex technological

excellence, integrity, and evidence—and we

choices can be discussed in an accessible

use our voice to strengthen democracy.

and factual way, so that everyone is able to understand and participate in the debate.

We will guard knowledge and evidence by:

Research ethics and transparency form the

– countering misinformation and ensuring

foundation of our work, and our voice is

informed technological choices – conducting research with the highest integrity and sharing knowledge openly

always based on evidence—never on opinion.

We educate citizens who can navigate in a technology-driven democracy in an informed

– educating critically thinking citizens

way, and we demonstrate in practice that

– actively participating in the public debate

responsible innovation not only strengthens

– inspiring participation in societal

democracy, but also Europe’s competitiveness.

discussions on a well-informed basis – advising on the basis of scientific excellence, integrity, and evidence.

Opt-out We do not develop technology without prior democratic dialogue. We do not abstain from the social debate about technology in a broad sense.

GAMMA DETECTOR Using a detector that can detect gamma radiation enables the creation of high-resolution three-dimensional images. The technology was originally intended for exploring the universe, but this detector can also be used to diagnose breast cancer.

Photo: Thomas Steen Sørensen 29

FOUNDATION TO SUCCEED

RESEARCH EXCELLENCE

FOCUS ON WORK AND LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

World-class research is at the heart of DTU’s activities and the foundation for our

We prioritize well-being and a healthy working

study programmes, innovation, and social

and learning environment; a management

contribution.

and a culture that clearly forms the basis for employees and students to unfold their

Research excellence at DTU is:

potential and deliver results at the highest

– curiosity-driven and socially relevant

level.

– interdisciplinary and collaborative – internationally competitive

We develop management and administration

– supported by robust infrastructure.

to free up resources for teaching and research and to reduce the administrative burden on the individual researcher and lecturer.

We work actively with framework conditions in close dialogue with political principals, the foundation world, the Danish business community, and European partners.

We ensure a healthy and long-term balance between public and private financing.

Basic funding is the foundation for freedom of research and our overall capacity.

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Strategy 2026-2031 The strategy was adopted by DTU’s Board of Governors on 12 December 2025.

DTU Technical University of Denmark Anker Engelunds Vej 101 2800 Kongens Lyngby www.dtu.dk