Long-Term Debt (Loan Agreements) (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 31, 2015 USD ($)
2016	$ 395
Total minimum principal payments	$ 395

Amount of minimum loan payments maturing in the second rolling twelve months following the latest balance sheet presented.

No definition available.

Name:	nvax_LoanAgreementFutureMinimumPaymentsNextRollingTwelveMonths
Namespace Prefix:	nvax_
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant