Apply for the NNF-IAS Fellowship on Health and Sustainability at the Nordic Institutes for Advanced Studies

The world is facing a period of increased political volatility, environmental instability and new forms of health challenges. These dynamics are locally experienced yet globally interconnected. Addressing such challenges requires new approaches that integrate knowledge, insights, and solutions across multiple domains and disciplines. Strengthening global cooperation among relevant research communities will be crucial for mitigating the negative consequences of the many dimensions of health inequity on the rise in our societies. 

The NNF-IAS Fellowship Programme will harness the unique interdisciplinary and collaborative potential offered by the Nordic Institutes for Advanced Studies to strengthen the Nordic research environments within the fields of health and sustainability. The programme values career development and offers interdisciplinary training aimed at preparing the fellows to contribute to transformative breakthroughs in health and sustainability both in the Nordic region and with a global impact.

This call is open for research projects from all research disciplines aimed at understanding health disparities, inequities, and the wider interplay of health and environment. Potential projects can include but are not limited to: Structural and social determinants of health inequities from both Nordic and global perspectives; Health innovations and technologies; Equal opportunities, and Health challenges related to environmental developments, to mention a few.

Nordic collaboration and structure of the fellowship

The research fellows will have their main affiliation with one of the four main partner Institutes for Advanced Studies based in Denmark (AIAS), Finland (HCAS), Norway (CAS), or Sweden (SCAS). Applicants must prioritize their preferred hosting institute. The fellows will form a collaborative group spanning the four main partner institutes, under the leadership of a thematic lead, and integrated into an extended network encompassing all eight partner institutes. While pursuing their individual research projects, fellows will participate in regular meetings and engage in ongoing collaborative activities in the programme.

Interdisciplinary environment 

The NNF-IAS fellows will also be part of the community at their respective institute. The Institutes for Advanced Studies all host fellows from a broad range of research fields and from all over the world, providing a unique interdisciplinary setting. This framework offers fellows the opportunity to engage in interdisciplinary research, expand their research profile, and collaborate with an inspiring international and multidisciplinary community. Applicants are therefore expected not only to take an active part in the theme group on Inequity in Health but also to demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a willingness to participate actively in dialogue across disciplinary boundaries.

The institutes strive to create an inclusive multidisciplinary academic environment and be an inspiring workplace for all by fostering a culture in which the individual fellow can thrive, achieve. and develop. The Institutes for Advanced Studies view equality and diversity as assets and welcome all applicants. 

• Salary: Fellows are offered a full-time salary based on seniority. Employment conditions and wages are regulated through the collective union agreements in the Nordic country of the hosting institute, see details in the . 
• Travel and research costs: The fellowship covers relocation travel expenses (amount subject to prior approval by the hiring institute) and offers relocation assistance. The fellowship also includes a budget for research costs of up to EUR 20,000, see details in the .
• Working environment: Fellows will have office space at the hosting institute and can participate in academic training activities, conferences and workshops at the institute. Fellows will also be affiliated with the other Institutes for Advanced Studies in the Nordic countries. 

Applicants apply individually, but the selected candidates are also expected to work together as a group during the fellowship and occasionally travel to the other Nordic Institutes for Advanced Studies. The fellowship call is open for curiosity-driven researchers and welcomes applications from researchers: 

• Of any nationality and from all academic disciplines with research profiles within the thematic scope of the call. 
• Who have a career experience of 2 to 10 years after completion of the PhD (PhD training period will not be considered in the calculation of experience).  
• Who comply with a mobility demand as applicants must not have resided or carried out their main work activity in the country of priority for more than 12 months in the two years immediately prior to the deadline of the call.
• Who are excited about taking part in an interdisciplinary, cross-Nordic research endeavor.
• Who demonstrate mobility and are willing to reside in the country of the hosting institute for the duration of the fellowship. 

Applications must be submitted online via the application system: . In the application, applicants must prioritize their desired hosting institute for the duration of the fellowship. In the , you can find the detailed application requirements, and information on the structure of the online application system and on the selection criteria and process. 

Timeline of the application process

• Opening of call: June 2026 
• Deadline for applications: 1 October 2026 at 12.00 (noon) CEST / 13.00 EEST
• Peer review and selection period: November 2026–February 2027
• Applicants will receive answers: March 2027
• Fellowships begin: 1 September 2027

Selection board

The selection board will consist of the directors and Theme Leads from each of the four main partner institutions (CAS, SCAS, HCAS, and AIAS), and one representative from the associated partners, acting as co-lead of the relevant sub-topic.

Four main partners (hosting NNF-IAS fellows & mobility stays)

• , AIAS, Denmark
• , CAS, Norway
• , HCAS, Finland
• , SCAS, Sweden

Four associated partners (hosting events & mobility stays)

• , DIAS, Denmark
• , Sweden
• , Finland
• , Finland

For more information, please visit:  and  or contact AIAS Programme Manager Helle Villekold at . 

For questions specific to the Helsinki Collegium, please contact HCAS Research Coordinator Juhana Toivanen at .