Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford 2027: Apply for Up to DKK 3.6 Million in Research Funding

Early-career researchers seeking to advance their academic careers through international research collaboration can explore the Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford 2027. This competitive fellowship programme supports outstanding researchers pursuing interdisciplinary projects in natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, and biotechnology, with a particular emphasis on research that could contribute to improved human health or sustainability.

Funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF), the programme offers selected researchers an opportunity to collaborate with research groups at the University of Oxford, one of the world’s leading institutions for scientific research and higher education. The fellowship is designed to strengthen research skills, encourage scientific independence, expand international networks, and promote the exchange of knowledge between the University of Oxford and Denmark’s research ecosystem.

The three-year fellowship provides funding of up to DKK 3.6 million per grant. Fellows will spend the first two years conducting research at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom before returning for a final year at an eligible Danish university or other Danish public or nonprofit research institution.

The 2027 call opens on 30 September 2026 and closes on 29 January 2027 at 2:00 p.m. Copenhagen time. Researchers interested in applying should review the official application guidelines carefully, particularly the requirements concerning doctoral qualifications, research supervision, Danish institutional affiliation, and the proposed project’s relevance to human health or sustainability.

Overview of the Novo Nordisk Foundation Oxford Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027

The fellowship supports early-career researchers who want to develop their scientific expertise through international mobility and interdisciplinary research. It combines an extended research stay at Oxford with a structured return phase in Denmark, helping fellows establish stronger connections between international research and the Danish scientific community.

Key details of the opportunity include:

• Programme name: Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford – 2027
• Funding organisation: Novo Nordisk Foundation
• Host institution abroad: University of Oxford, United Kingdom
• Danish host institution: An eligible Danish university or other public, nonprofit research institution
• Career stage: Postdoctoral research and early-career researchers
• Duration: Three years
• Funding amount: Up to DKK 3.6 million per fellowship
• Annual funding: Approximately up to DKK 1.2 million per year
• Research fields: Natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, and biotechnology
• Research focus: Interdisciplinary research with potential impact on human health or sustainability
• Call opening date: 30 September 2026
• Application deadline: 29 January 2027 at 2:00 p.m. Copenhagen time
• Expected announcement of results: June 2027
• Next recurring call: September 2027

Applicants should note that the programme is not structured as a three-year stay at Oxford. Instead, the fellowship requires a two-year research period at Oxford followed by a return phase of up to one year at a Danish host institution.

About the Novo Nordisk Foundation

The Novo Nordisk Foundation is a Denmark-based foundation that supports scientific research, innovation, and other initiatives aimed at contributing to human and societal progress. Through its grant programmes, the foundation provides financial support to researchers and institutions undertaking projects across a range of scientific disciplines.

The Oxford postdoctoral fellowship reflects the foundation’s interest in supporting talented researchers at an important stage of their careers. By enabling researchers to work in an internationally recognised research environment, the programme seeks to strengthen scientific capabilities, encourage new ideas, and facilitate collaborations that can continue beyond the fellowship period.

The foundation’s approach places importance on research quality, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the potential practical significance of scientific work. For this particular fellowship, projects must demonstrate a clear connection to human health or sustainability, rather than simply describing an academic topic without explaining its broader relevance.

The programme also supports the continued exchange of expertise between the University of Oxford and Danish research institutions. This arrangement allows fellows to gain international experience while maintaining an institutional base in Denmark.

Purpose of the Oxford Postdoctoral Fellowship

The primary purpose of the fellowship is to support outstanding early-career researchers in developing their scientific expertise and establishing a stronger foundation for independent research careers.

Postdoctoral research is an important stage in an academic career. Researchers at this level are expected to deepen their specialist knowledge, develop research leadership skills, establish professional networks, and begin shaping their own research direction. However, access to advanced facilities, specialised mentorship, and international collaboration can vary considerably between institutions.

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Oxford fellowship addresses these needs by supporting an extended period of research at the University of Oxford, followed by a return phase in Denmark.

The programme has several interconnected objectives.

1. Strengthening advanced research skills

Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in research within an advanced academic environment at the University of Oxford. Working with an established research group can expose them to new methodologies, specialised facilities, interdisciplinary perspectives, and approaches to scientific problem-solving.

This experience may help fellows strengthen their technical expertise, improve their research design and analytical skills, and develop a deeper understanding of their chosen scientific field.

2. Encouraging scientific independence

The fellowship aims to support researchers as they move towards greater scientific independence. Through sustained research experience and mentorship, fellows can refine their research interests, build confidence in their scientific judgement, and develop the capacity to lead future research projects.

Scientific independence is particularly important for researchers seeking long-term academic appointments, research leadership positions, or careers in research-intensive organisations.

3. Promoting international collaboration

The programme provides an opportunity to establish professional relationships with researchers at Oxford and connect with wider international scientific networks.

These relationships can facilitate the exchange of ideas, collaborative publications, joint research proposals, and future partnerships between institutions.

International collaboration can also expose fellows to different scientific traditions and research priorities, helping them understand how research challenges are approached across countries and disciplines.

4. Supporting interdisciplinary research

The programme welcomes interdisciplinary projects that connect scientific fields or bring together complementary methods and perspectives. Interdisciplinary research can be particularly valuable when addressing complex problems that cannot be fully understood through a single discipline.

Applicants should therefore explain how their proposed work integrates relevant areas of expertise and why that approach is appropriate for the research question.

5. Strengthening knowledge transfer between Oxford and Denmark

A defining feature of the fellowship is the requirement to return to a Danish host institution for the final phase.

This arrangement is intended to promote the transfer of knowledge, methods, expertise, and professional connections developed during the Oxford research stay. Fellows can continue their work in Denmark while contributing to the research environment of their host institution.

The return phase also provides a structured opportunity to maintain collaborations established at Oxford and explore how the research can develop within the Danish research ecosystem.

Research Areas Supported by the Fellowship

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford support research across four broad areas:

• Natural sciences
• Technical sciences
• Biomedicine
• Biotechnology

The programme is open to a range of research topics within these fields, provided that the proposed project is interdisciplinary and has the potential to contribute to human health or sustainability.

This means that applicants should not focus exclusively on naming their scientific discipline. They must also explain the wider significance of their research and demonstrate why the proposed work could produce meaningful scientific or societal benefits.

Natural sciences

Applicants working in natural sciences may propose fundamental or applied research projects that advance scientific understanding or contribute to solutions relevant to health or sustainability.

The specific suitability of a project will depend on its scientific quality, interdisciplinary character, and clearly explained potential impact.

Technical sciences

Technical sciences may involve the development or application of scientific and engineering principles to address complex challenges. Projects in this area should explain how their methods, technologies, or findings could contribute to the fellowship’s stated objectives.

Applicants should describe the technical challenge being addressed, the approach they intend to use, and the expected contribution of the research.

Biomedicine

Biomedicine-related projects may investigate biological processes, disease mechanisms, or other scientific questions relevant to human health.

Applicants should clearly explain the intended research contribution and the potential relevance of their findings to human health. The announcement does not restrict the programme to a single biomedical specialisation.

Biotechnology

Biotechnology applicants may propose interdisciplinary projects involving biological systems, processes, or technologies. Projects should establish a clear scientific rationale and explain how the work could contribute to human health or sustainability.

Interdisciplinary research and impact

Regardless of the chosen field, interdisciplinarity and potential impact are central requirements.

Applicants should explain:

1. The scientific problem or research question.
2. Why the problem is important.
3. Which disciplines, methods, or areas of expertise the project will combine.
4. Why the University of Oxford research environment is appropriate for the proposed work.
5. How the project could contribute to human health or sustainability.
6. How the research and expertise developed at Oxford could be carried forward during the Danish return phase.

A strong application should make the relationship between scientific ambition and potential impact clear throughout the proposal.

Fellowship Duration and Research Structure

The fellowship lasts three years and is organised into two main phases: an international research stay at Oxford and a return phase at a Danish institution.

Phase One: Two years at the University of Oxford

The first two years are dedicated to conducting the proposed research at the University of Oxford.

During this period, the fellow will work with an Oxford-based principal investigator who has agreed to act as the primary research mentor. The Oxford research group should provide an appropriate environment for the proposed project and support the fellow’s scientific development.

This phase is intended to provide extensive research experience, exposure to an international academic environment, and opportunities to develop professional connections.

Applicants must establish contact with an appropriate Oxford principal investigator before applying. The existence of a suitable research group and a committed mentor is therefore an important part of preparing an application.

Phase Two: Return to Denmark for up to one year

The final year is dedicated to a return phase at the Danish host institution.

The Danish institution must be an eligible university or other public, nonprofit research institution in Denmark. It must employ the applicant for the entire grant period and administer the fellowship.

The return phase is intended to support knowledge transfer and continued research collaboration between Oxford and the Danish research environment.

Applicants must therefore identify a suitable Danish host institution and a host principal investigator who can support the project during this period.

Why the two-phase structure matters

The fellowship’s structure combines international research training with a clear institutional connection to Denmark.

Applicants should ensure that their research plans are realistic for the two-year Oxford phase and the subsequent return phase. They should also explain how the project will progress across both institutions and how the Danish phase will build on the research experience gained at Oxford.

A proposal that treats the fellowship as a stand-alone international visit without a meaningful return plan would not reflect the programme’s stated structure.

Funding: Up to DKK 3.6 Million

The Novo Nordisk Foundation will provide funding of approximately up to DKK 1.2 million per year, with a maximum of DKK 3.6 million for each fellowship.

The grant is intended to support the three-year postdoctoral research project, including the Oxford research period and the return phase at the Danish institution.

The funding is substantial, but applicants should consult the official application guidelines for the detailed budget rules, eligible expenditure, and administrative requirements. The announcement does not provide a complete itemised breakdown of allowable costs.

Understanding the funding amount

The published maximum funding is:

• Approximate annual maximum: DKK 1.2 million
• Maximum grant over three years: DKK 3.6 million

These figures describe the grant ceiling and should not be interpreted as a guaranteed personal salary or a fixed cash payment to the fellow. The Danish host institution is responsible for employing the applicant and administering the grant for the full funding period.

Applicants should confirm the relevant budget and employment arrangements with their prospective Danish host institution before submitting their application.

Can the project receive funding from other sources?

The programme permits partial funding from other sources. However, any co-funding must be explicitly mentioned in the application.

Applicants who have already secured, or expect to secure, additional financial support for the proposed research should disclose it according to the application requirements. They should also ensure that the funding arrangements are consistent with the foundation’s grant conditions and the proposed project budget.

Click HERE to Apply for Grants & Funding.

Eligibility Criteria for the 2027 Fellowship

The fellowship has specific academic, research, supervision, and institutional requirements. Applicants should review each condition carefully before beginning the application process.

1. Doctoral qualification

Applicants must have obtained a PhD in one of the following areas:

• Natural sciences
• Technical sciences
• Biomedicine
• Biotechnology

The PhD must have been obtained within five years of the fellowship start date.

This requirement is intended to support researchers at an early stage of their postdoctoral careers.

Applicants who have taken a leave of absence

Periods of leave of absence do not count towards the five-year eligibility period. Applicants should retain documentation of such periods, as supporting evidence may be requested.

Researchers whose career timelines include an eligible leave period should review the official guidelines to understand how the rule applies to their circumstances.

Current PhD students

Applicants may apply while still completing their PhD if their doctoral supervisor provides a statement confirming that they are expected to graduate before the fellowship start date.

This provision allows eligible doctoral candidates approaching completion to prepare their applications before formally receiving their degree. However, the required supervisor statement and graduation timeline must satisfy the programme’s conditions.

2. An Oxford-based research mentor

Applicants must establish contact with a principal investigator at the University of Oxford who commits to serving as the primary research mentor for the duration of the stay abroad.

Applicants should identify a researcher whose expertise and research environment are appropriate for the proposed project.

Before submitting an application, candidates should discuss the project with the prospective mentor and confirm that the researcher is willing to support the fellowship. Applicants should not assume that an Oxford affiliation or informal expression of interest automatically fulfils this requirement.

3. Limited previous postdoctoral experience at Oxford

At the time of application, candidates must not have spent more than one year as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Oxford.

The announcement clarifies that the Oxford stay may already have commenced, provided the applicant remains within the stated limit.

Applicants with previous Oxford postdoctoral appointments should calculate their relevant period of experience carefully and consult the official guidelines if their circumstances are unclear.

4. A confirmed Danish host institution

Applicants must have a confirmed Danish host institution and a host principal investigator.

The Danish host institution must:

• Be a Danish university or another eligible public, nonprofit research institution in Denmark.
• Employ the fellow for the entire grant period.
• Commit to administering the entire grant.
• Host the fellow during the Danish return phase.
• Provide the institutional arrangements needed to support the research project.

This is one of the programme’s most important requirements. A candidate who has an Oxford mentor but has not secured an eligible Danish host institution will not meet the complete institutional conditions described in the call.

5. An association with the Danish education system or research environment

Applicants must demonstrate an association with Denmark’s educational system or research environment.

Examples provided in the announcement include:

• Having graduated from a Danish university.
• Holding Danish citizenship.
• Having several years of research experience at a Danish institution.

These examples illustrate possible forms of association. Applicants should refer to the official application guidelines to determine how their own background should be documented and assessed.

The requirement means that the programme should not be interpreted as an unrestricted international fellowship open to any researcher worldwide solely on the basis of academic qualifications.

6. An interdisciplinary research project with relevant impact

The proposed research must fall within the supported scientific areas, be interdisciplinary, and have potential impact on human health or sustainability.

Applicants must clearly explain the potential applications or relevance of their projects in the application.

A project proposal should therefore do more than describe a scientific topic. It should present a coherent research question, a credible approach, and a convincing explanation of why the work matters.

7. One active NNF postdoctoral fellowship application at a time

Applicants may submit only one application at a time across the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s postdoctoral fellowship grants.

Candidates must receive notification of the outcome of their current application before applying again.

Applicants should plan their submissions accordingly and avoid preparing overlapping active applications under different NNF postdoctoral fellowship calls.

How to Prepare a Competitive Application

Meeting the formal eligibility criteria is only the starting point. Candidates should also prepare a well-developed research proposal and establish the institutional relationships required by the programme.

The following steps can help applicants organise their preparations.

Step 1: Review the official application guidelines

Begin by reading the official guidelines for the 2027 call. These should be treated as the main reference for application requirements, submission procedures, and grant administration.

Read the eligibility conditions carefully before investing significant time in developing a proposal.

Step 2: Assess your academic eligibility

Confirm that your PhD discipline falls within the supported fields and that your degree date satisfies the five-year requirement.

If you are still completing your PhD, confirm that your expected graduation date meets the fellowship timeline and arrange the required supervisor statement.

If you have taken a leave of absence, retain the relevant documentation.

Step 3: Identify an appropriate Oxford principal investigator

Search for Oxford research groups whose expertise aligns with your proposed project. Consider the group’s research themes, methodologies, facilities, and potential contribution to your scientific development.

Contact a suitable principal investigator with a concise explanation of your research background, the project idea, and the reasons for seeking collaboration.

The aim is to establish whether the researcher is willing and able to serve as the primary mentor during the Oxford phase.

Step 4: Secure a Danish host institution

Identify an eligible Danish university or public, nonprofit research institution that can employ you and administer the fellowship for the entire grant period.

Discuss the project with a potential Danish host principal investigator and establish how the institution will support the return phase.

Because the Danish host must be confirmed, this should be addressed early rather than left until the final stages of application preparation.

Step 5: Develop the interdisciplinary research proposal

Prepare a proposal that clearly describes the scientific problem, objectives, methodology, interdisciplinary elements, and expected contribution.

Explain how the research will be carried out at Oxford and how it will continue during the return phase in Denmark.

The proposal should also make the potential impact on human health or sustainability explicit. Avoid relying on broad statements about importance without explaining the connection between the research and its intended contribution.

Step 6: Plan the project across both institutions

The fellowship’s two-phase structure should be reflected in the research plan.

Applicants should consider:

• Which research activities will take place at Oxford.
• Why the Oxford environment is necessary or particularly suitable.
• What milestones should be achieved during the first two years.
• How the research will continue at the Danish host institution.
• How knowledge, methods, and collaborations will be transferred between the two institutions.
• Whether the proposed timeline is realistic within the three-year funding period.

Step 7: Prepare a transparent budget

Develop a budget that aligns with the project’s research needs and the foundation’s rules.

If other sources are contributing to the project, disclose the co-funding explicitly in the application. The final budget should be coordinated with the Danish host institution, which will administer the grant.

Consult the official guidelines for the detailed rules governing eligible expenses and financial administration.

Step 8: Submit through the official application portal

The foundation provides an online application portal for submitting applications.

Candidates should follow the instructions in the 2027 guidelines, ensure that all required information is complete, and submit before the stated deadline.

Click HERE for Application Guidelines

Application Deadline and Important Dates

Applicants should plan their preparations around the following dates:

Milestone	Date
Call opens	30 September 2026
Application deadline	29 January 2027, 2:00 p.m. Copenhagen time
Announcement of results	June 2027
Next recurring call	September 2027

The deadline is expressed in Copenhagen time. Applicants applying from other countries should account for the time difference and avoid waiting until the final minutes to submit.

The announcement does not specify the fellowship’s exact start date. Candidates should consult the application guidelines for the expected start arrangements and any related conditions.

Visit HERE for more information about Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford 2027.

How Applications Are Submitted

Applications are submitted through the Novo Nordisk Foundation’s online grant application system.

Before submitting, applicants should ensure that they have reviewed the current call guidelines, confirmed their eligibility, and established the required relationships with both the Oxford research mentor and the Danish host institution.

Candidates should also verify that their proposed research fits the supported fields and that its interdisciplinary character and potential impact on human health or sustainability are clearly explained.

The official programme page and application portal are the most appropriate starting points for obtaining the current instructions and completing the submission.

APPLY HERE

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How much funding does the Oxford postdoctoral fellowship provide?

The Novo Nordisk Foundation provides funding of approximately up to DKK 1.2 million per year, with a maximum of DKK 3.6 million per fellowship over three years. Applicants should consult the guidelines for detailed budget and expenditure rules.

2. How long does the fellowship last?

The fellowship lasts three years. The first two years are spent conducting research at the University of Oxford, while the final year is dedicated to a return phase at an eligible Danish host institution.

3. Can a current PhD student apply?

Yes. A PhD student may apply if their supervisor provides a statement confirming that they are expected to graduate before the fellowship start date. Applicants should ensure that their circumstances meet the detailed requirements in the official guidelines.

4. Which research fields are eligible?

The programme supports natural sciences, technical sciences, biomedicine, and biotechnology. The proposed project must be interdisciplinary and have potential impact on human health or sustainability.

5. Must applicants have an Oxford research mentor?

Yes. Applicants must establish contact with a principal investigator at the University of Oxford who commits to acting as the primary research mentor throughout the stay abroad.

6. Is a Danish host institution required?

Yes. Applicants must have a confirmed Danish university or other eligible public, nonprofit research institution. The institution must employ the fellow for the entire grant period, administer the grant, and host the fellow during the return phase.

7. Can applicants from outside Denmark apply?

The announcement does not state a general nationality restriction. However, applicants must demonstrate an association with the Danish education system or research environment and secure the required Danish host institution. International applicants should therefore assess these conditions carefully before applying.

8. Can applicants who have already worked at Oxford apply?

Applicants must not have spent more than one year as a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford at the time of application. The announcement allows the Oxford stay to have already commenced, provided the applicant remains within the stated limit.

9. Can the project receive funding from other sources?

Yes. Partial funding from other sources is permitted, but any co-funding must be explicitly disclosed in the application.

10. When will applicants receive the results?

The announcement indicates that results are expected in June 2027.

11. When is the application deadline?

The call closes on 29 January 2027 at 2:00 p.m. Copenhagen time.

Contact Information

Applicants who need clarification can contact the Novo Nordisk Foundation using the contact details listed in the call.

For grant inquiries

Pål Fernvall
Senior Grant Lead, Grant Management
Email: pfe@novo.dk

For scientific inquiries

Cecilia Lövkvist
Scientific Manager, Technical Sciences
Email: clv@novo.dk

Applicants should direct administrative or grant-management questions to the grant contact and scientific questions to the scientific contact, where appropriate.

For the most accurate information, consult the official programme page and the published application guidelines before submitting an application.

Conclusion

The Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford 2027 offer a significant opportunity for eligible early-career researchers to advance their scientific careers through international collaboration, interdisciplinary research, and structured knowledge transfer between Oxford and Denmark.

With funding of up to DKK 3.6 million over three years, the fellowship is designed to help researchers strengthen their scientific independence, build international research networks, and pursue projects with potential impact on human health or sustainability.

However, applicants must pay close attention to the programme’s specific conditions. They need a qualifying PhD or an eligible expected graduation timeline, a committed Oxford research mentor, a confirmed Danish host institution, and a demonstrable association with the Danish education system or research environment. The proposed research must also satisfy the interdisciplinary and impact requirements.

The application call opened on 30 September 2026 and closes on 29 January 2027 at 2:00 p.m. Copenhagen time. Interested researchers should begin preparing early, establish the necessary institutional partnerships, develop a clear research proposal, and review the official guidelines in detail.

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