Danish pharmaceutical firm Novo Nordisk and Oxford University in the UK have set up an international fellowship programme that aims to support the career and scientific development of young, exceptional research talent within diabetes. The partnership will establish a number of postdoctoral fellowship opportunities that will be hosted by Oxford University and funded by Novo Nordisk.
As part of the agreement, 12 young researchers will be offered a three-year grant to support their research within the fields of diabetes, metabolism and endocrinology. The goal of the new programme is to support the development of a new generation of research leaders while further developing scientific excellence within diabetes.
'We are honoured to establish the International PostDoctoral Fellowship Programme with Oxford University, which has such valuable expertise in the study and treatment of diabetes. By combining our company's discovery and clinical development strengths with the research expertise and academic tradition of Oxford University, we can support the development of a new generation of exceptional diabetes researchers to eventually drive innovation further and improve the lives of the patients,' said Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen, Executive Vice President and Chief Science Officer at Novo Nordisk.
A joint steering committee with members from both Oxford University and Novo Nordisk will oversee the programme and assess research proposals from scientists at both organisations.
The first four fellows in the programme will start in the autumn of 2014.
