Novo Nordisk Foundation MIT Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 (Up to DKK 3.6 Million)

The Novo Nordisk Foundation MIT Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 offer early-career researchers the opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. The three-year fellowship provides grants of up to DKK 3.6 million, supporting two years of research at MIT followed by a return phase at a Danish research institution. The programme focuses on research with potential applications in human health or sustainability. Applications close on 29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time.

Quick Overview

Programme: Postdoctoral Fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 2027

Opportunity Type: Postdoctoral Research Fellowship

Funding Organization: Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF)

Host Institution Abroad: Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Countries: United States and Denmark

Duration: Three years

Funding: Up to DKK 3.6 million per fellowship

Research Fields: Natural and Technical Sciences, Biomedicine, and Biotechnology

Application Deadline: 29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation MIT Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027

The Novo Nordisk Foundation offers postdoctoral fellowships to support early-career researchers undertaking interdisciplinary scientific projects in collaboration with researchers at MIT.

The programme aims to strengthen researchers’ scientific independence, international experience, and professional networks.

Fellows conduct research at MIT during the first two years of the fellowship. They then return to a Danish university or another eligible Danish research institution for the final phase.

This structure supports long-term research collaboration and knowledge transfer between MIT and the Danish research ecosystem.

The Foundation encourages projects that combine disciplines and demonstrate potential benefits for human health or sustainability.

Benefits and Financial Coverage

The Novo Nordisk Foundation provides substantial financial support for the three-year research fellowship.

Confirmed funding benefits include:

✓ Up to DKK 3.6 million per fellowship

✓ Approximately DKK 1.2 million per year in grant support

✓ Support for a three-year postdoctoral research project

✓ Two years of research experience at MIT

✓ A return phase at a Danish research institution

✓ Research collaboration with MIT scientists

✓ Opportunities for interdisciplinary research training

✓ Development of international scientific networks

The Foundation aims to help researchers develop scientific independence while building connections between research institutions in Denmark and the United States.

Fellowship Funding Structure

The fellowship provides financial support across the three-year period.

The maximum award is DKK 3.6 million per fellowship, with annual support of approximately DKK 1.2 million.

A Danish host institution must employ the fellow and administer the entire grant.

Research projects may also receive partial funding from other sources. However, applicants must explicitly declare any co-funding in their applications.

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Eligible Research Areas

The Novo Nordisk Foundation welcomes applications covering interdisciplinary research within several scientific fields.

Eligible disciplines include:

• Natural Sciences

• Technical Sciences

• Biomedicine

• Biotechnology

The programme supports projects ranging from fundamental scientific research to innovative research initiatives.

Research Project Requirements

Proposed research must satisfy two important conditions.

1. Interdisciplinary Research

The project must bring together relevant scientific disciplines or research approaches.

2. Potential Impact

The research must demonstrate potential applications in human health or sustainability.

Applicants must clearly explain these potential applications in their research proposals.

Projects should also involve collaboration with a research group at MIT.

Fellowship Structure and Research Mobility

The programme follows a three-year research structure involving institutions in the United States and Denmark.

First Two Years: Research at MIT

Fellows spend the first two years conducting their research projects at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

During this period, participants work with their MIT host research group under the mentorship of a Principal Investigator.

The research placement provides opportunities to develop scientific expertise, participate in interdisciplinary collaboration, and strengthen international research networks.

Final Year: Return to Denmark

The final phase of the fellowship takes place at a Danish host institution.

This must be a Danish university or another eligible public or non-profit research institution.

The return phase is intended to support continued research activity, scientific collaboration, and knowledge transfer.

The Danish host institution must employ the fellow for the entire fellowship period and administer the grant.

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Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the academic, professional, and institutional requirements established by the Novo Nordisk Foundation.

1. Academic Qualifications

Candidates must:

• Hold a PhD degree in natural and technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology.

• Have obtained their PhD within five years of the fellowship start date.

Periods of leave of absence do not count toward the five-year eligibility period. Supporting documentation must be available upon request.

2. Applications from Current PhD Students

Current PhD students may apply if they are expected to complete their degree before the fellowship begins.

In this case, the applicant’s PhD supervisor must provide a statement confirming the expected graduation.

3. MIT Research Host

Applicants must establish contact with a Principal Investigator (PI) at MIT.

The MIT host PI must commit to acting as the primary research mentor throughout the applicant’s research stay abroad.

Applicants must not have spent more than one year as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT at the time of application.

Researchers whose MIT postdoctoral stay has already started may still qualify if they meet this condition.

4. Danish Host Institution

Candidates must have a confirmed Danish host institution and host PI.

The Danish host institution must:

• Be a university or another public, non-profit research institution in Denmark.

• Employ the fellow throughout the fellowship period.

• Commit to administering the entire grant.

• Host the fellow during the return phase in Denmark.

5. Association with the Danish Research Environment

Applicants must demonstrate an association with the Danish educational system or research environment.

The Foundation provides the following examples:

• Graduation from a Danish university.

• Danish citizenship.

• Several years of research experience at a Danish institution.

These are examples of qualifying associations rather than separate universal requirements.

Important Application Conditions

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has established specific rules governing applications and research funding.

Applicants should consider the following conditions:

• Only one application may be submitted at a time across the Foundation’s postdoctoral fellowship grants.

• Candidates must receive notification of their application’s outcome before applying again.

• Research projects may receive partial funding from other sources.

• Any additional project funding must be explicitly declared in the application.

• Applicants must have confirmed host arrangements at both MIT and an eligible Danish institution.

These requirements are important when preparing a research proposal and coordinating with prospective host institutions.

Application Preparation

Candidates should establish the necessary research and institutional arrangements before submitting their applications.

The official requirements identify several important preparations.

Confirm an MIT Research Mentor

Applicants must contact a potential host Principal Investigator at MIT and secure a commitment to research mentorship.

Confirm a Danish Host Institution

Candidates must arrange a host institution and Principal Investigator in Denmark.

The Danish institution must agree to employ the fellow and administer the fellowship grant.

Develop an Interdisciplinary Research Project

The proposed project must fall within the eligible scientific disciplines.

Applicants must explain how the research could contribute to human health or sustainability.

Document Academic Eligibility

Applicants must meet the PhD qualification requirements.

Current doctoral students who have not completed their degrees must obtain the required supervisor statement confirming expected graduation.

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Application Process

Applications for the Novo Nordisk Foundation MIT Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 are submitted through the Foundation’s official grant application system.

Step 1: Review the Official Guidelines

Applicants should consult the programme’s application guidelines and eligibility requirements.

Confirm that the proposed research project and institutional arrangements meet the fellowship conditions.

Step 2: Establish Host Institution Arrangements

Secure an MIT host Principal Investigator who will provide research mentorship.

Also confirm a Danish host institution and host PI willing to meet the employment and grant administration requirements.

Step 3: Prepare the Research Proposal

Develop an interdisciplinary research project within the eligible scientific disciplines.

Clearly describe its potential applications for human health or sustainability.

Step 4: Access the Application Portal

Open the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s official grant management platform, NORMA.

Follow the application instructions for the MIT postdoctoral fellowship call.

Step 5: Submit the Application

Complete the required application information and submit the proposal through the official system before the closing date.

Applicants must follow the Foundation’s rules regarding simultaneous applications and disclosure of additional funding.

Important Dates

The Novo Nordisk Foundation has published the following dates for the 2027 fellowship call:

• Applications Open: 30 September 2026

• Application Deadline: 29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time

• Announcement of Results: June 2027

• Next Scheduled Call: September 2027

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Postdoctoral Fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 2027 is:

29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time

Applicants must complete their applications through the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s official grant application system.

Official Link

Submit your application through the official grant application portal below.

Apply for Postdoctoral Fellowships at Massachusetts Institute of Technology – 2027