When AIAS fellow and food scientist Natalia Prieto Vidal completes her fellowship on 19 May 2025, the second MSCA COFUND programme at AIAS is successfully completed. The AIAS-COFUND II programme, a successor of the first AIAS-COFUND programme (2014–2021), has been successfully running since 2017, co-funded by the EU's Horizon 2020 MSCA COFUND scheme and Aarhus University Research Foundation.

From Postdoc to Research Group Leader: A Fellow’s Journey

Natalia Prieto Vidal represents the strong impact of the AIAS-COFUND II initiative. Natalia did her PhD training at the University of the Basque country (UPV/EHU) and then moved to Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN) in Canada, followed by the University of Guelph (UofG), for her postdoctoral positions. She came to AIAS in 2021 to pursue research into the molecular structure of food components and their physicochemical interactions during processing and digestion. Her project—ALGOOD: Understanding the chemo-mechanical stabilization of Sargassum algae bioactive compounds in current and forthcoming food matrices—aims to support the development of a more sustainable food system that promotes human health and the environment.

Reflecting on her 3-year fellowship, Natalia says:

“The fellowship allowed me to gain independence as a researcher. I started as a postdoc and am now a tenure track assistant professor at the Aarhus University Food Science department. During my fellowship, I have developed new ideas that have secured three major grants, including a Villum Experiment grant from the Villum Foundation, which has helped me establishing my own research group at the Department of Food Science.”

Global Research and Societal Impact

One of the key objectives of the MSCA COFUND programme has been to promote sustainable research training and foster international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral mobility by bringing together researchers from around the world. This ambition has been fully realised at AIAS.

Since its launch, the AIAS-COFUND II programme has hosted 61 fellows from 26 different countries. During their fellowship stays, ranging from 12 to 36 months, they contributed to AIAS’s dynamic research environment, engaged in frontier research and organized and participated in global conferences and workshops. Their efforts have resulted in numerous scientific publications and a lasting academic and societal impact with research topics addressing global challenges, including climate change, sustainability, public health issues and of course the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Advancing Career and Talent

In addition to its research outcomes, the programme has been a strong driver of career and talent development. It has achieved a 100 % employment rate among alumni, with 30 % continuing their careers at Aarhus University. Sixteen major individual competitive research career grants, such as the ERC Consolidator grants and Villum Young Investigator, have been awarded to fellows during their fellowship—underscoring the programme’s success in boosting researchers’ independence, generating novel ideas and long-term professional prospects.

Building on a Strong Foundation

Running two MSCA COFUND fellowship programmes has been a rewarding experience. The knowledge, networks and insights gained through these programmes have been instrumental in shaping AIAS into the vibrant interdisciplinary hub it is today.

Looking ahead, AIAS is channeling this momentum into new and exciting directions. Since September 2024, the newly established AIAS-AUFF Fellowship Programme has become the institute’s core fellowship initiative. Together with a growing palette of thematic fellowships and Artist-in-Residence programmes, this new framework ensures that AIAS continues to evolve and push boundaries in global, interdisciplinary research—while maintaining a strong focus on talent development.

Facts about the AIAS-COFUND II Fellowship Programme

Funded by the Horizon 2020 – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (COFUND) under Grant Agreement number: 754513 and Aarhus University Research Foundation

Project period:

1 October 2017 – 30 September 2024

Main objectives:

• Support curiosity-driven, independent research
• Promote international, interdisciplinary and inter-sectoral research mobility
• Foster talent development and research excellence

Contact

Helle Villekold, Programme Manager 
helle@aias.au.dk

Andreas Roepstorff, Director
andreas.roepstorff@aias.au.dk 

Aarhus Institute of Advanced Studies, AIAS
Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 6B
DK-8000 Aarhus C
Danmark
www.aias.au.dk