Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at MIT 2027
Overview
The Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology support early-career researchers aiming to gain international research experience through collaboration with an MIT research group and a Danish host institution. The programme strengthens scientific independence, international cooperation, interdisciplinary research, and knowledge transfer between Denmark and MIT.
The fellowship lasts for three years, consisting of the first two years spent at MIT followed by a return phase of up to one year at a Danish university or another eligible Danish public or non-profit research institution. Eligible research fields include natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, biotechnology, and interdisciplinary projects that relate to human health or sustainability challenges.
Who can apply
Applicants must hold a PhD in natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology obtained within five years of the fellowship start date. Candidates who have not yet graduated may apply if their PhD supervisor confirms they will complete their degree before the fellowship begins. Approved leaves of absence are excluded from the five-year calculation with supporting documentation.
Applicants must establish contact with a Principal Investigator at MIT to serve as a primary research mentor during the MIT stay. Candidates cannot have spent more than one year working as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT at the time of application, though an MIT postdoctoral stay may have already begun. Furthermore, applicants must have a confirmed Danish host institution and host PI, and demonstrate an established connection to the Danish educational or research system through a Danish university degree, Danish citizenship, or prior research experience at a Danish institution. Candidates may submit only one application at a time for any of the foundation's postdoctoral fellowship grants.
What you get
The fellowship provides funding of approximately DKK 1.2 million per year for a total duration of three years, reaching a maximum of DKK 3.6 million per fellowship. The grant covers an international postdoctoral research project involving both MIT and a Danish host institution. Projects may receive partial outside funding, but any co-funding must be explicitly disclosed in the application.
How to apply
Applicants must first establish a research collaboration with an appropriate MIT Principal Investigator and secure a confirmed Danish host institution and host PI. Candidates must then prepare an interdisciplinary research proposal demonstrating scientific quality, international collaboration, and potential impact on human health or sustainability, while detailing how the fellowship will aid their long-term scientific development. Submissions must be completed through the Novo Nordisk Foundation's official application system.
Key dates
The call opens on 30 September 2026. The application deadline is 29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time. Results will be announced in June 2027, and the next recurring call is scheduled for September 2027.