Purpose
Applications are invited for individual fellowships to support outstanding postdoctoral scientists conducting research within industrial biotechnology and environmental biotechnology. The intention of the fellowship is to enable excellent young scientists, to develop their own independent research area. Fellowships must be based at a university or other non-profit research institution in Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden.
The proposed research must address major questions and challenges within these fields. The proposed research must involve a clear element of biotechnology, have an outlook to scaling potential(s), contribute to sustainability and, if relevant, increase productivity. The proposed research must involve a clear element of biotechnology.
Non-exclusive list of prioritized areas:
- Use or engineering of biological/biotechnological tools and systems for synthesis and production of valuable products (e.g., chemicals, proteins and materials)
- Development of technologies and processes that can be utilized directly for bioproduction
- Improvement of the efficiency of biomanufacturing
- Use or engineering of biological/biotechnological tools and systems to protect or improve the environment
- Understanding, protection or manipulation of natural or industrial ecosystems related to application of biotechnology
- Data science promoting research within industrial or environmental biotechnology, including related ecosystems research
Proposals focusing on plant science, agriculture and food biotechnology should be submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Committee on Plant Science, Agriculture and Food Biotechnology, while proposals with a focus on pharmaceuticals and therapeutics should be submitted to the Novo Nordisk Foundation Committee on Bioscience and Basic Biomedicine.
Eligibility
Nordic Region
An applicant must either:
- Have a PhD or equivalent degree obtained within 6 years of the application deadline date,
or - Be a PhD student who will defend her/his/their thesis before April 1, 2026.
As part of the application, applicants need to submit a host letter from the Nordic host institution and letters of support from other institutions supporting the fellowship.
Funding
The grant period is 1-3 years. The total grant amount is up to DKK 3.3 million for a 3-year grant. The grant amount should be distributed approximately equally each year, and for projects shorter than three years, the total grant amount is proportionally reduced. Please note, at least 1 year must take place at the Nordic host institution. The duration of the fellowship should reflect the time frame of the research activities.
For applicants currently based at a Nordic host institution who have not conducted research in another country, research activities in a laboratory in another country for at least 6 and maximum 24 months in total will be considered as a positive element for the postdoctoral training but is not a requirement.
Application Process
Applications must be completed and submitted using the NNF’s application system following the instructions in the “Information and guidelines for applicants”. Additional essential information regarding eligibility, funding and submission requirements is found in this pdf.
Click here to read more about the Evaluation Committee.
