Kickstart Your Bright Research Career: 18 Fully Funded Marie Skłodowska-Curie PhDs in Denmark – Apply to the INTERACT Programme 2026”
The University of Copenhagen (UCPH), the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), and the Danish Cancer Institute (DCI) are inviting applications for up to 18 fully funded PhD positions under the international Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Programme “Interdisciplinary Marie S. Curie Action for Health (INTERACT)”. With an application deadline of January 26, 2026, this prestigious opportunity is aimed at scientifically curious and highly motivated early-career researchers who are eager to work across disciplines to address major challenges in health, particularly cancer and neurological diseases.
An Interdisciplinary PhD Experience at the Frontiers of Health Research
The INTERACT programme is designed to train the next generation of researchers who can work seamlessly across traditional disciplinary boundaries. All PhD projects are interdisciplinary, spanning fields such as biology and biomedicine, physics, chemistry, and engineering. Successful candidates will be based primarily at either UCPH, DTU, or DCI, depending on the selected research project, while benefiting from close collaboration across institutions.
Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND scheme, INTERACT offers a truly international research environment that encourages creativity, independence, and scientific excellence.
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Why Choose the INTERACT Programme?
INTERACT provides far more than a standard PhD. The programme aims to cultivate agile, responsible researchers capable of contributing to transformative health solutions. In addition to cutting-edge research training, PhD students will receive structured support through transferable skills courses, mentoring, career development activities, and international research visits. This holistic approach ensures graduates are well prepared for careers in academia, industry, policy, or other sectors.
Over the course of three calls between 2025 and 2027, INTERACT will recruit a total of 66 PhD students. Each position is fully funded for 36 months, with attractive employment and salary conditions in line with MSCA standards.
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Research Environment and Supervision
Each PhD student will conduct an original “convergence science” project at one of six host institutes. These include the Biotech Research and Innovation Centre and the Niels Bohr Institute at UCPH; the Departments of Biotechnology and Biomedicine, Chemistry, and Health Technology at DTU; and the Danish Cancer Institute.
Students will benefit from a strong supervisory structure, with a main supervisor in the primary research field and an interdisciplinary co-supervisor from another host institute. Applicants may express interest in up to four research projects when applying.
Eligibility and Selection
The programme is open to researchers holding a relevant master’s degree with no more than four years of research experience since graduation. Applicants must comply with the MSCA transnational mobility rule, meaning they must not have lived or worked in Denmark for more than 12 months in the three years preceding the deadline. Candidates must also not already hold a doctoral degree.
Selection is merit-based and includes eligibility screening, evaluation of application materials, and online interviews. Applications are assessed on education and track record, scientific potential, and motivation.
Employment Conditions and Timeline
PhD students will be employed full time for three years, starting September 1, 2026, subject to enrolment at UCPH or DTU. The monthly gross salary begins at approximately DKK 31,424 (around EUR 4,193), plus pension contributions, depending on seniority.
The call opens on December 15, 2025, with interviews and evaluations taking place between February and May 2026. Final decisions will be communicated by the end of May 2026.
Apply Now
Applications must be submitted in English using the mandatory templates provided on the INTERACT website. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered. Researchers from all backgrounds are encouraged to apply, as the programme values diversity and inclusion.
If you are ready to pursue a world-class PhD in an international, interdisciplinary environment and contribute to future health solutions, the INTERACT programme offers an exceptional opportunity to launch your research career.
