About the opportunity
The Novo Nordisk Foundation offers a unique postdoctoral fellowship opportunity in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The programme invites early career researchers to engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research projects spanning natural and technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology with potential impact on human health or sustainability. Fellows spend the first two years conducting research at MIT in collaboration with a host principal investigator, followed by a mandatory return phase of up to one year at a Danish university or other public or non-profit research institution. The initiative aims to propel career development, foster international scientific networks, and support knowledge transfer between the Danish research ecosystem and MIT.
Funding and benefits
- Up to DKK 3.6 million per grant (approximately up to DKK 1.2 million per year for three years)
- Funding covers the three-year fellowship period supporting research at MIT and a return phase in Denmark
- Opportunity to gain extensive international research experience and training in a unique interdisciplinary environment at MIT
- Support for continued research collaboration and knowledge transfer between international hosts and Danish research institutions
Who can apply?
- Must have obtained a PhD degree in natural and technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology within 5 years of the fellowship start date (leave of absence periods do not count)
- PhD students may apply provided their PhD supervisor supplies a statement confirming graduation is expected before the fellowship start date
- Must establish contact with a host Principal Investigator at MIT who commits to serving as the primary research mentor for the duration of the stay abroad
- Must not have spent more than one year as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT at the time of application
- Must have a confirmed Danish hosting institution and host PI who will employ the fellow, administer the entire grant, and host the return phase
- Must demonstrate an association with the Danish educational system or research environment (such as graduating from a Danish university, holding Danish citizenship, or having several years of research experience at a Danish institution)
Required documents
- Application submitted via the Norma portal
- Application guidelines and documentation as specified in the official guidelines PDF
- PhD supervisor statement if applying as a PhD student
- Documentation for leave of absence periods if applicable
When to apply
- Call opens: 30 September 2026
- Call closes: 29 January 2027 at 2:00 pm Copenhagen time
- Announcement of results: June 2027
- Next recurring call: September 2027
How to apply
- Read the application guidelines and rules thoroughly
- Establish contact and secure commitment from a host Principal Investigator at MIT
- Secure a confirmed Danish host institution and employer willing to administer the grant
- Submit the application online via the Norma portal before the deadline
Additional information
- Applicants can only submit one application at a time for any of the Novo Nordisk Foundation postdoctoral fellowship grants and must receive notification of the outcome before reapplying
- Partial funding or co-funding from other sources is permitted and must be explicitly mentioned in the application
- Administered by the Committee on Interdisciplinary Research
Our Take on This Opportunity
This section reflects Open Opportunities’ own analysis of the opportunity from an applicant’s perspective.
You may be a strong fit if…
- Early-career researchers in natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology looking to bridge international experience at MIT with an established career track in Denmark.
- Investigators working on interdisciplinary projects with clear applications for human health or sustainability.
- Candidates who already have strong ties to the Danish research ecosystem and can readily secure an institutional host in Denmark.
What should you think carefully about?
- Requires active prior coordination to secure both a committed host PI at MIT and a sponsoring employer institution in Denmark before applying.
- Strict eligibility window requiring a PhD obtained within five years of the fellowship start date, subject to documented leave exclusions.
- Mandatory return phase requires relocating back to Denmark for the final year of the three-year fellowship.
How could this fit your current goals and plans?
This fellowship is ideally structured for ambitious early-career scientists aiming to build elite global research connections at MIT while cementing their long-term academic or professional footprint in Denmark. It provides substantial funding that frees the researcher to focus fully on high-impact interdisciplinary science.
Our take
Eligible early-career postdocs or final-stage PhD candidates with strong connections to Denmark and a concrete project aligned with MIT research groups should seriously consider applying. Those without a confirmed Danish host institution or prior association with Danish research will find the programme unsuitable.
Ready to apply?
Review the opportunity on the official website before applying.
Official-source verified
