The Novo Nordisk Foundation is inviting applications for its Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) – 2027. The three-year fellowship supports outstanding early-career researchers seeking international research experience through collaboration with an MIT research group and a Danish host institution.
The programme is designed to strengthen scientific independence, international collaboration, interdisciplinary research and knowledge transfer between Denmark and MIT.
Fellowship Overview
The fellowship provides researchers with the opportunity to undertake cutting-edge research at MIT, one of the world’s leading institutions for science and technology. Fellows will spend the first two years 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.
The programme supports interdisciplinary projects across natural and technical sciences, biomedicine and biotechnology. Proposed research must demonstrate potential impact on human health or sustainability.
Successful fellows will benefit from advanced research training, international scientific networking and opportunities to develop collaborations between the Danish research environment and MIT.
Areas of Research
Applications are welcomed across a broad range of disciplines, provided the proposed research is interdisciplinary and has a clearly demonstrated potential contribution to human health or sustainability.
Eligible research areas include:
- Natural sciences
- Technical sciences
- Biomedicine
- Biotechnology
- Interdisciplinary research related to human health
- Research addressing sustainability challenges
Applicants should clearly explain the potential applications and broader relevance of their proposed research project.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must have obtained a PhD in natural or technical sciences, biomedicine or biotechnology within five years of the fellowship start date.
PhD candidates who have not yet graduated may also apply if their PhD supervisor provides confirmation that they are expected to complete their degree before the fellowship begins.
Periods of approved leave of absence are excluded from the five-year eligibility calculation, although supporting documentation must be available if requested.
Applicants must also establish contact with a Principal Investigator (PI) at MIT who agrees to serve as the primary research mentor during the applicant’s stay at MIT.
At the time of application, applicants must not have spent more than one year working as a postdoctoral researcher at MIT, although their MIT postdoctoral stay may already have begun.
Danish Host Institution Requirement
A key requirement is that applicants have a confirmed Danish host institution and host PI. The Danish university or eligible public or non-profit research institution must employ the fellow throughout the fellowship period and administer the entire grant.
The Danish host institution will also host the researcher during the final return phase following the two-year research period at MIT.
Applicants must demonstrate an established connection to the Danish educational or research system. This may include graduating from a Danish university, holding Danish citizenship or having several years of research experience at a Danish institution.
Funding and Benefits
The fellowship lasts for three years, with Novo Nordisk Foundation support of approximately DKK 1.2 million per year, up to a maximum of DKK 3.6 million per fellowship.
The funding provides substantial support for an international postdoctoral research project involving both MIT and a Danish host institution.
Projects may receive partial funding from other sources, but any co-funding must be clearly disclosed in the application.
Application Deadline
Fellowship: Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at MIT – 2027
Duration: Three years
MIT research period: Two years
Danish return phase: Up to one year
Funding: Up to DKK 3.6 million
Call opens: 30 September 2026
Deadline: 29 January 2027 at 2:00 PM Copenhagen time
Results announced: June 2027
Next recurring call: September 2027
Location: MIT, United States, with a return phase in Denmark
How to Apply
Eligible researchers should first establish a research collaboration with an appropriate MIT Principal Investigator and secure a confirmed Danish host institution and host PI.
Applicants should develop a strong interdisciplinary research proposal that clearly demonstrates scientific quality, international collaboration and potential impact on human health or sustainability. The application should also demonstrate how the fellowship will contribute to the applicant’s long-term scientific development and strengthen knowledge exchange between MIT and the Danish research ecosystem.
Applications must be submitted through the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s official application system before the stated deadline.
Why This Fellowship Is Valuable
The fellowship offers early-career researchers an opportunity to conduct high-level research at MIT while maintaining a formal connection with the Danish research system. The combination of international mobility, interdisciplinary research, mentorship and substantial financial support can help fellows strengthen their scientific independence and develop long-term international research collaborations.
Researchers interested in advancing work at the intersection of science, technology, biotechnology, health and sustainability may find the programme particularly valuable for building an internationally competitive research profile.
Important Application Conditions
Applicants may submit only one application at a time for any of the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s postdoctoral fellowship grants. They must receive the outcome of an existing application before submitting another application.
Applicants should carefully review the official guidelines and FAQ before applying to ensure that their research proposal, host arrangements and eligibility meet all programme requirements.
