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Current U.S. Student

United States citizens who are currently enrolled in undergraduate or graduate degree programs are eligible to apply.If you are currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a U.S. college or university, you will apply through that institution, even if you are not currently a resident there. Find the Fulbright Program Adviser on your campus.

U.S. Citizen but not a Student

If you are a U.S. citizen, will hold a bachelor’s degree by the award start date, and do not have a Ph.D. degree, then you are eligible to apply. Non-enrolled applicants should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Candidates with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

The Getting Started page will provide information on eligibility and next steps.

Artist

The Fulbright U.S. Student Program welcomes applications in the creative and performing arts. Arts candidates for the U.S. Student Program should have relatively limited professional experience in the fields (typically 7 years or less) in which they are applying. Artists with more experience should consider applying for the Fulbright Scholar Program.

Creative & Performing Arts projects fall under the Study/Research grant category and are available in all countries where Study/Research grants are offered.

FPA

U.S. Professor/Administrator

If you are a U.S. citizen and a professor or administrator at a U.S. institution and are interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award, you will need to apply through fulbrightscholars.org.

To support your students in applying for a U.S. Student Program award, please connect with the Fulbright Program Adviser at your institution.

Non U.S. Citizens

If you are a non-U.S. citizen interested in applying for a Fulbright Award to the United States, you will need to apply through the Fulbright Commission or U.S. Embassy in your home country. Find out more information on the Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program or Fulbright Foreign Student Program.

Denmark

10 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
Fall Start
Grant Length
8-10 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

10 grants in total, subject to the availability of funds.

General grant for Master's and PhD level studies/research:
We offer Fulbright grants to American students for one academic year in Denmark:

  • One Fulbright year in Denmark with combined research/study plans at Master’s and PhD level.
    or
  • The first year of a Master's degree in Denmark.

Fulbright Denmark awards grants to the most talented graduate and PhD-students who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and will actively contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding as cultural ambassadors of the U.S. in Denmark.

Applicants must know that per culture, the Danish academic traditions and universities are far less catering and nurturing than the average American university experience. Therefore, students applying to Denmark must be self-reliant and independent in order to get a good experience. 

Graduating seniors or applicants who hold a bachelor's degree are welcome to apply, and these applicants will need to enroll as a MA-level student with a Danish institution (see Special Application Instructions and Affiliation section below).

Fulbright Denmark has as focus areas: life sciences, space, and sustainability. Applications within these areas are given priority, but all fields are welcome.

Please note that due to issues related to rigid admission demands at the SUND Department (Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences) at University of Copenhagen, applications for research and studies within SUND at University of Copenhagen as non-degree seeking guest students at the Master-level are unfortunately not possible for a Fulbright grant to Denmark. PhD guest students may still apply, but should confirm ability to enroll with their relevant department. Degree-seeking Masters students may still apply.

Combined Denmark Semester and Arctic Semester in Greenland:
Fulbright Denmark has a very special grant; a one-year academic program with the first semester at the Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Denmark and the second semester at the Arctic Semester in Greenland Program at the Greenland Institute of Natural Resources (GINR), Nuuk, Greenland. The grant is awarded to one American graduate student and it is offered through Fulbright Denmark. Both the ARC at Aarhus University and the GINR will admit the Fulbright student to their programs.

For the American student with an already established strong academic record within natural sciences, this is a unique opportunity of staying/studying in both Denmark and Greenland. The academic centers collaborate with each other and they are both very prestigious. This would offer the American student a high level and well-functioning base and open up for important professional networking opportunities in both Denmark and Greenland.

Grant Length
8-10 Months
Grant Period
Fall Start

The grant period must begin in late-August and end no later than June. A mandatory Fulbright Arrival Orientation takes place in Copenhagen at end of August, and you must therefore plan your start date accordingly. Fulbright Denmark does not offer grants to Summer University.

If you are selected as a finalist, there must be total correspondence between the grant period in the application, the admission period at the Danish university, and the dates of the Danish residence permit which you will apply for with the help of your Danish host university. Therefore, your application to Fulbright Denmark must include the grant period and you must prove that your residence permit will be arranged through the Danish host university to cover this period. Please see more information under the Affiliation Section.

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

A mandatory Fulbright Arrival Orientation takes place in Copenhagen in late August. Additionally, Fulbright Denmark will be in touch with grantees both virtually and with written materials before their arrival to prepare and support them in their individual arrival process.

Candidate Profile

General grant for Master's and PhD level studies/research:
Fulbright Denmark has identified three focus areas: life sciences, space, and sustainability (including arctic studies). However, applications will be considered from well-qualified candidates in all fields for all graduate degree levels if the proposal can be carried out within the auspices of Danish institutions of higher learning. All applicants must have previous experience in the proposed field of study.

Master: Only applications for degree/non-degree (guest) enrollment can be accepted. Independent research or interview projects can under no circumstances be accepted. Applicants who propose a research project must clearly indicate their plans of registering for and following courses alongside the research project.

PhD: Independent research projects can be accepted under affiliation with a Danish host institution. A letter from the Danish institution must clearly state their interest in the project. Fulbright guest PhD students must participate in academic activities alongside any research projects such as classes, seminars, study circles etc. in order to anchor the academic and cultural components, which are important parts of the Fulbright program. Please note that Fulbright Denmark does not offer grants to American students who plan to pursue a full PhD in Denmark.

If in doubt whether your plans are feasible for a Fulbright grant to Denmark, please contact Fulbright Denmark.

Combined Denmark Semester and Arctic Semester in Greenland:

U.S. graduate student (must have finished his/her bachelor’s degree before semester start in Denmark) within natural sciences and with an interest in/academic focus on Arctic eco systems and climate changes. The first semester (Fall) will take place at ARC at Aarhus University where the student must take classes (for this specific grant, no independent research project); and during the second semester (Spring) at GINR, the student will both take classes and be directly involved in Arctic Field experience. The student must take the mandatory classes for the program (no exceptions) both in Aarhus and in Nuuk (an overview of classes can be seen here).

Please note that the grant to Greenland is similar in size to the grants to Denmark, with no extra funding.

General grant to Greenland and the Faroe Islands:

Due to the historically very special situation regarding Denmark and Greenland & the Faroe Islands, grants for these locations are presently limited to Fulbright projects where the American student must obtain full residence permit in Denmark. This means that the focus on Greenland or the Faroe Islands must be through the Danish host institution with a Danish residence permit, and the Fulbright stay must take place in Denmark allowing only for shorter visits to Greenland or the Faroe Islands through the Danish institution (please note that special residence permits for Greenland and the Faroe Islands may also be applicable, and the Danish institution must help with this). Applicants must also obtain a strong and positive letter of invitation from the Greenland or Faroe Islands institution of higher learning involved in the short visits. Projects involving more extensive or full stays in Greenland or the Faroe Islands cannot be accepted as Fulbright projects by Fulbright Denmark due to the present legislation and the Fulbright Denmark Agreement.

  • For Greenland: Only applicants with projects within sciences and social sciences may apply.
  • For the Faroe Islands: All main academic areas.
  • Applicants interested in studies or research in Greenland or the Faroe Islands must otherwise follow the general grant guidelines for grants to Denmark. 
  • If your project can meet the above demands, Fulbright Denmark is happy to advise you about contacts for affiliation in Denmark. 

Please note that the grants to Greenland and the Faroe Islands are similar in size to the grants to Denmark, with no extra funding.

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country NOT permitted in year prior to grant
Indicate how many months is considered residency:
4 Months

Dual citizenships between the U.S. and any country other than Denmark are accepted. Students with dual citizenships between the U.S. and a country in the EU must enroll at their Danish host institution under their U.S. citizenship, arrive on their U.S. passport, and for the purpose of the Fulbright grant, they can only enroll for the Fulbright grant period.

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Special Application Instructions

All applications:
The acceptable application to Denmark must include a letter of affiliation from a Danish university/institution clearly stating that the grant proposal content is of interest and will give access to a Danish residence permit through the university. However, you can apply for the Fulbright program before you have been accepted to the Danish host institutions, as long as you are aware of their deadlines. Please read more under the Affiliation section below.

Students must declare in their Fulbright grant application whether they are applying as a guest student or a degree-seeking student. Please be aware that only non-degree seeking guest students will be eligible for the special Fulbright tuition waiver. Full-degree students must pay tuition for all years of the Danish degree, including the Fulbright period. You can read more about tuition requirements under the Affiliation Fees/Tuition section below.

You must submit exact dates in your application for the grant period in Denmark, as these dates will be used for the required student residence permit, grant documents, and payment. If you are selected for a Fulbright grant to Denmark, you are required to contact Fulbright Denmark in advance of planning your arrival and residence permit application. A virtual meeting with a representative from Fulbright Denmark will be required if you are considered for a Fulbright grant. It is important that you stay in contact with Fulbright Denmark, as they will help you throughout the process and be responsible for you when you arrive in Denmark.

Please read the information about Affiliation in Denmark carefully.

Combined Denmark Semester and Arctic Semester in Greenland:
Candidates for the ‘Combined Denmark Semester and the Arctic Semester in Greenland’ opportunity should include 'Combined Semester' at the start of their project title in the application.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Danish language proficiency is not required unless demanded by the Danish institution, needed to successfully complete the project/study plan, or if the applicant is pursuing Kierkegaard studies; areas within Danish studies; or archival studies.

The language of instruction in institutions of higher learning is generally Danish, but with a large number of courses or full programs taught in English. If necessary, applicants must include plans for pre-departure language study in their Fulbright applications.

Many universities offer pre-semester Danish language courses, but students should be aware of residence permit requirements if they choose to attend these courses. If students wish to participate in language courses immediately prior to their semester start, the start dates for this should be used when obtaining a residence permit in order to comply with Danish legislation.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter required at deadline

Applicants must apply independently for admission to the Danish university as either guest students (non-degree seeking students) or through the general admissions process (degree seeking students). Students should be aware that they must comply with application deadlines at the Danish host institution in addition to submitting the Fulbright application. University admission guidelines can be found at the university websites. There are no exceptions to these rules. Applicants must clearly state in their contact with the Danish institution that they are applying for a Fulbright grant.

So, two elements are needed:

  1. Letter of Affiliation
  2. Proof of understanding the admissions process at the host institution (e-mail correspondence with relevant admissions office, screen shot of admissions process and deadlines etc.)

Admission to a Danish institution of higher learning is necessary in order to comply with Danish residence permit laws, and all candidates must therefore be admitted to a Danish institution that has legal status to apply for a residence permit on the candidate’s behalf. The Fulbright grant to Denmark is therefore dependent on a successful admission to a Danish institution of higher education. Please note that any final admission decisions are entirely up to the Danish universities.

All American students to Denmark need a letter of affiliation from a Danish host institution regardless of their level of education. Sample letters (available here in three versions: one for non-degree seeking Master’s students, one for degree-seeking Master’s students, one for guest PhD students) must be filled out by the Danish institution and must accompany the Fulbright application, otherwise it cannot be considered for a Fulbright grant. The admission category in this letter must be identical to the one in the Fulbright application and the residence permit.

All applicants must comply with all study program requirements of their Danish education in order to maintain their student residence permit in Denmark. Complying with study program requirements and maintaining a residence permit are requirements for obtaining a Fulbright grant to Denmark.

The admission process for some fields, especially in the arts, may include the submission of a portfolio or auditions in Denmark.

Fulbright Denmark is willing to assist you with contact information to appropriate Danish institutions. If you have any questions in terms of the affiliation process, please contact Fulbright Denmark at info@fulbright.dk

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition not covered in grant benefits

A Fulbright grant is only for one/the first year of study in Denmark. An applicant to Denmark must declare, as part of the application process, whether they are applying as a guest student or a degree-seeking student. A Fulbright guest student will not have to pay tuition in Denmark while on their grant. However, a Fulbright student seeking a full degree in Denmark will have to pay full tuition for all the years of the degree. Any later change of status from non-degree to degree seeking while in Denmark may not be possible, but if accepted, it will involve retrospective payment of tuition for the first year for the Fulbright student.

Under no circumstances can Fulbright Denmark be made responsible for any financial or academic changes due to these plans. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to research any degree and financial possibilities not involving the Fulbright grant period.

A few post-graduate and certificate/diploma degree programs are not part of the special tuition waiver agreement with the Danish government. Therefore, these special one-year Master’s degree/certificate programs cannot be supported with a grant from Fulbright Denmark.

Private lessons, such as music instruction outside of the student’s institutional affiliation, are not free and will require that the student budget accordingly.

Upon request and with receipts, grantees may receive a pre-payment in the US of their grant for coverage of travel costs and residence permit application fee of up to DKK 10,000 (approximately USD 1,400 as of February 2023)

Housing Arrangements

Fulbright Denmark is not responsible for securing housing for grantees. Students should allow ample time to secure housing before departing for Denmark. Danish universities are not obligated to find housing, but may be able to offer some support – check their websites for more information. Be very aware of housing scams. Securing housing can take time, and good advice is to connect with former US grantees to Denmark; when chosen, Fulbright Denmark will give you access to these contacts.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is available

A Fulbright student grantee to Denmark with dependent(s) will receive a one-off amount of 20,000 DKK (approximately 3,000 USD as of February 2023) extra on his/her grant, but according to Danish residence permit rules the dependent(s) must be able to support him/herself to the amount of a Danish student loan. The limited Fulbright dependent support (for a spouse/registered partner) is only available for a dependent staying in Denmark for the entire Fulbright grant period. Dependents must obtain a personal residence permit in order to stay in Denmark.

Grant applications must clearly indicate the number of dependents accompanying the applicant during the entire grant period. If selected as finalists, applicants must also address what the dependents will do during their stay in Denmark, as well as how they plan to obtain their needed Danish residence permit. Be aware that you will need to provide additional documentation, including proof of financial support, in order to secure a residence permit for any accompanying dependents.

Read about the requirements for obtaining residence permits for accompanying family members here.

Please feel free to contact Fulbright Denmark if you have any questions concerning dependents.

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://fulbrightcenter.dk
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Fulbright Program Coordinator: info@fulbright.dk
Additional Online Resources
Important information about study in Denmark: http://studyindenmark.dk/
General information about Denmark: http://www.visitdenmark.com
US Embassy in Denmark: https://dk.usembassy.gov/
Information about the Danish education system: https://ufm.dk/en/publications/2022/files/the-danish-education-system.pdf