by Twenty Oxford University postdoctoral researchers will receive £18.5 million in funding from a global healthcare company over the next nine years.
Novo Nordisk funding will support fellows of the Novo Nordisk – Oxford Fellowship program, which focuses on early scientific research on diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, rare blood disorders and other cardiometabolic diseases.
Each year, Novo Nordisk funds four postdoctoral researchers for a period of three years, providing them with the resources and mentorship they need to advance their research and careers.
The program, coordinated by the Radcliffe Department of Medicine since 2013, has funded 44 fellows across 10 university departments.
Previous fellows have pursued successful careers in academia, industry and the third sector in the UK and abroad.
One said: “The opportunity to work with an industry partner to develop a project was a great opportunity that you rarely get as a young scientist,” while another said: “I appreciated getting a taste of the industry culture and at the same time being fully part of science.”
As part of the expanded collaboration, a “Springboard Fellowship” will also be introduced, offering selected fellows two additional years of funding to further advance their research and professional development.
During this two-year period, the successful applicant will benefit from enhanced mentoring and tailored professional development activities.
Professor Keith Channon, chair of the joint steering committee overseeing the scholarship program, said: “We are pleased that Novo Nordisk will continue to invest in this outstanding program with the University of Oxford over the next nine years.”
“This program offers fellows a unique opportunity to collaborate with researchers at the university and Novo Nordisk, enabling us to answer important mechanistic questions in the field that may lead to new medicines.”
“These fellowships will play a critical role in supporting the next generation of research leaders in the areas of diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, rare blood disorders and other cardiometabolic diseases.”
Professor Marcus Schindler, Executive Vice President for Research and Early Development and Chief Scientific Officer of Novo Nordisk, added: “We are very pleased to extend our long-standing partnership with the University of Oxford.”
“The Novo Nordisk – Oxford Fellowship Program remains dedicated to supporting and strengthening the next generation of early-stage scientific research in the areas of diabetes, obesity and cardiometabolic diseases.
“Over the years, our partnership model has fostered mutual growth and knowledge generation in areas of high unmet medical need.
“This continued collaboration underscores our commitment to breakthrough innovations that will ultimately improve future patient care worldwide.”
Applications for Fall 2025 Fellows will open in Spring 2025 and will be announced on the program website along with available research projects.
