MIT’s School of Engineering and global health care company Novo Nordisk has announced the launch of a multi-year program to support postdoctoral fellows conducting research on the intersection of artificial intelligence and data science with life sciences. The MIT-Novo Nordisk Artificial Intelligence Postdoctoral Fellows Program will welcome its first cohort of as much as 10 postdocs for a two-year term this fall. This system will provide as much as $10 million for an annual cohort of as much as 10 postdoc for two-year terms.

“The research being conducted on the intersection of AI and life sciences has the potential to rework health care as we understand it,” says Anantha Chandrakasan, dean of the School of Engineering and Vannevar Bush Professor of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. “I’m thrilled that the MIT-Novo Nordisk Program will support early-career researchers who work on this space.”

The launch of the MIT-Novo Nordisk Program coincides with the one hundredth anniversary celebration of Novo Nordisk. The corporate was founded in 1923 and treated its first patients with insulin, which had recently been discovered in March of that 12 months.

“Using AI within the health care industry presents a large opportunity to enhance the lives of individuals living with chronic diseases,” says Thomas Senderovitz, senior vice chairman for data science at Novo Nordisk. “Novo Nordisk is committed to the event of latest, revolutionary solutions, and MIT hosts a number of the most eminent researchers in the sector. We’re subsequently excited to support postdocs working on the leading edge of AI and life sciences.”

The MIT-Novo Nordisk Program will support postdocs advancing the usage of AI in life science and health. Postdocs will join an annual cohort that participates in frequent events and gatherings. The cohort will meet recurrently to exchange ideas about their work and discuss ways to amplify their impact.

“We’re excited to welcome postdocs working on AI, data science, health, and life sciences — research areas of strategic importance across MIT,” adds Chandrakasan.

A central focus of this system might be offering postdocs skilled development and mentorship opportunities. Fellows might be invited to entrepreneurship-focused workshops that enable them to learn from company founders, enterprise capitalists, and other entrepreneurial leaders. Fellows may even have the chance to receive mentorship from experts in life sciences and data science.

“MIT is at all times exploring opportunities to innovate and enhance the postdoctoral experience,” adds MIT Provost Cynthia Barnhart. “The MIT-Novo Nordisk Program has been thoughtfully designed to introduce fellows to a wealth of experiences, skill sets, and perspectives that support their skilled growth while prioritizing a way of community with their cohort.”

Angela Belcher, head of the Department of Biological Engineering, the James Mason Crafts Professor of Biological Engineering and Materials Science, and member of the Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research, and Asu Ozdaglar, deputy dean of academics for the MIT Schwarzman College of Computing and head of the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, will function co-faculty leads for this system.

The brand new program complements a separate postdoctoral fellowship program at MIT supported by the Novo Nordisk Foundation that focuses on enabling interdisciplinary research.