Danish universities have begun rejecting research applicants from China if background checks suggest they may pose a security risk.
At Aarhus University, all applicants with not only Chinese citizenship but also citizens of Russia and Iran automatically undergo a screening process to assess whether they might come under pressure from the Chinese government to share sensitive research data. So far this year 2025, 24 applicants from China, Iran and Russia have been rejected — not due to lack of qualifications, but because of potential espionage concerns.
“They are rejected based on the risk that they will gain access to information which could put them under pressure to share it with a foreign power,” says Brian Vinter, vice-dean at Aarhus University.
The background checks follow national guidelines aimed at protecting Denmark’s technological and scientific knowledge, particularly in areas such as energy, water, and computer engineering.
Universities across Denmark have begun implementing similar procedures, as authorities warn of a growing threat from cyber espionage and foreign influence in the academic sector.
