Deadline: 15-Jan-2026
The Novo Nordisk Foundation is accepting applications for its Mads Øvlisen Postdoc Fellowships to support ambitious researchers to conduct excellent research projects leading to a significant contribution to art-related research in Denmark.
A total of up to five fellowships will be awarded to support 2-year postdoctoral projects for talented researchers within the following research fields: 2 postdoctoral fellowships in art history will be awarded to applicants whose research projects fall within the field of art history, with a particular focus on art historical and/or art theoretical topics.
2 postdoctoral fellowships in practice-based research in art and curation will be awarded to applicants whose research projects are based on the applicants’ artistic or curatorial practice.
1 postdoctoral fellowship in art & natural sciences will be awarded to an applicant whose research project spans disciplines and aims to explore the interaction between art history & natural sciences in a broad sense, including bio- and medical sciences and/or technology in contemporary or historical contexts. The project must be theoretical in nature, but practice-based research within art and/or curation can be included.
The Foundation offers funding for salary according to the salary scale at the host institution, operating expenses, equipment, publication costs, conference participation, relocation expenses for applicants from outside Denmark, travel for research stays abroad, collaborative activities such as workshops, project supplements for Danish universities, bench fees, and administrative support where applicable. However, funding will not cover large-scale conferences, commercial activities, overhead or indirect costs, or double funding of projects.
Eligible applicants include researchers holding a PhD degree or equivalent, such as a magister degree with substantial research activity. Applicants whose PhD has not been approved by the application deadline may apply if a supervisor’s statement is submitted before the stated deadline.
Practice-based applicants may qualify with a completed master’s degree combined with professional artistic or curatorial practice and substantial production. All applicants must be affiliated with a Danish university, museum, or other research institution during the fellowship period, and a hosting commitment from the institution must be included.
The host institution must be a recognized knowledge institution with obligations in research and dissemination. The project proposal must demonstrate that the host institution has the resources and qualifications to host the postdoc, and clearly explain the project’s relevance to the host environment.
Applicants may include other institutions as collaborators. The hosting letter must confirm the institution’s agreement to host the project, administer the grant, and provide workspace.
Applications will be evaluated by NNF’s Committee on Research in Art & Art History based on originality, quality, and methodology of the project; academic qualifications of the applicant; artistic or curatorial qualifications for practice-based projects; the feasibility of the project; and its relevance to the Danish host institution’s research environment. Applicants with active grants from the Foundation are encouraged to have delivered results before applying for a new one.
Applicants must submit their project through the Foundation’s system, including a project title, a brief description, a detailed project description, literature references, and a lay summary. The project description must not exceed 10,000 characters, and applicants may upload up to four illustrations.
Required appendices include a hosting letter, PhD documentation, and for applicants outside Denmark, a plan confirming that over 50% of the research will be conducted in Denmark.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.
For more information, visit Novo Nordisk Foundation.