Novo Nordisk Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships at University of Oxford 2027

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The Novo Nordisk Foundation (NNF) Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Oxford provide exceptional early-career researchers with an opportunity to advance their careers through cutting-edge interdisciplinary research. This prestigious programme funds three-year fellowships where researchers spend two years at Oxford—one of the world’s leading universities in science and technology—followed by a return phase of up to one year at a Danish university or public research institution.

For researchers from Zimbabwe and the SADC region, this represents a significant opportunity to build international research networks, gain experience at a top-tier global institution, and establish connections with the Danish research ecosystem. However, applicants must demonstrate association with the Danish educational system or research environment to be eligible.

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Funding and Duration

The fellowship provides substantial financial support:

• Total funding: Up to DKK 3.6 million per grant
• Annual support: Approximately DKK 1.2 million per year
• Duration: Three years total
• Structure: Two years at University of Oxford, followed by one-year return phase in Denmark

The grant covers the fellow’s salary and research expenses during the fellowship period. The Danish host institution employs the fellow and administers the grant throughout the entire three-year period.

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Research Areas

The programme welcomes applications across all areas of:

• Natural and technical sciences
• Biomedicine
• Biotechnology

Projects must be interdisciplinary and demonstrate clear potential impact on human health or sustainability. Applicants must explicitly explain these potential applications in their proposal. The programme supports research ranging from fundamental studies to innovative applied projects.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must meet several strict criteria:

Academic Qualifications

• Hold a PhD degree in natural and technical sciences, biomedicine, or biotechnology obtained within 5 years of the fellowship start date
• Leave of absence periods do not count toward the 5-year limit (documentation required upon request)
• PhD students may apply if their supervisor provides written confirmation of expected graduation before the fellowship start date

Host Arrangements

• Establish contact with a Principal Investigator (PI) at University of Oxford who commits to serving as primary research mentor
• Not have spent more than one year as a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford at the time of application
• Secure a confirmed Danish host institution with a PI who will employ the fellow, administer the grant, and host the return phase

Danish Connection

Applicants must demonstrate association with the Danish educational system or research environment through one of the following:

• Graduated from a Danish university
• Danish citizenship
• Several years of research experience at a Danish institution

Application Restrictions

• Applicants may submit only one application at a time for any NNF postdoctoral fellowship
• Must await outcome notification before re-applying
• Projects may receive partial co-funding from other sources, which must be declared in the application

Application Timeline

How to Apply

The application process requires careful preparation and institutional coordination:

1. Establish Oxford collaboration: Contact potential PIs at University of Oxford and secure commitment as primary mentor
2. Secure Danish host: Confirm a Danish university or public/non-profit research institution willing to employ you and administer the grant
3. Develop project: Design an interdisciplinary research project with clear health or sustainability applications
4. Prepare documentation: Gather PhD certificate or supervisor statement, proof of Danish association, and any leave of absence documentation
5. Submit application: Complete online application through NNF grant portal before the deadline

Applications must explicitly mention any co-funding sources. The Danish host institution assumes full administrative responsibility for the grant.

Selection Process

Applications are evaluated by the Committee on Interdisciplinary Research. Assessment criteria include:

• Scientific quality and innovation of the proposed research
• Interdisciplinary approach and potential impact on health or sustainability
• Applicant’s qualifications and career potential
• Quality of host arrangements at both Oxford and the Danish institution
• Feasibility of knowledge transfer between Oxford and Denmark

Contact Information

Grant inquiries:
Pål Fernvall, Senior Grant Lead, Grant Management
Email: [email protected]

Scientific inquiries:
Cecilia Lövkvist, Scientific Manager, Technical Sciences
Email: [email protected]

Strategic Considerations for African Applicants

For researchers from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, the Danish connection requirement presents the primary eligibility barrier. Consider these pathways:

• Pursue research positions or collaborations at Danish institutions before applying
• Explore joint PhD programmes between SADC and Danish universities
• Investigate Danish government scholarship programmes that could establish the required connection
• Build research networks with Danish collaborators in your field

The fellowship’s structure—international experience followed by return phase—mirrors successful capacity-building models. For those who meet eligibility, it offers exceptional career acceleration through Oxford’s research environment and ongoing Danish institutional support.

Official scholarship page: https://novonordiskfonden.dk/en/grant/postdoctoral-fellowships-at-university-of-oxford-2026

Apply on the official site →

You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships