2024-2025 competition is closed. 2025-2026 competition will open in April 2024. 

US Fulbright Logo

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.

Iceland

3 Open Study/Research Award

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Grant Period
September Start
Grant Length
9 Months
Award Type
Open Study/Research
Award Profile

Generally, 2-5 grants will be awarded to study in a degree program or engage in independent study/research or PhD research. 

Icelandic universities provide many courses and programs in English. Iceland also provides very interesting research opportunities in many fields. As a small, highly technologically advanced country, Iceland is ideal for many types of research. English is widely spoken and much used in academia.

Since the Fulbright Program in Iceland is relatively small, the Commission is able to maintain close ties with grantees during their stay and provide a sense of community among Fulbright grantees. There are monthly grantee activities sponsored by the Commission, in addition to access to Fulbright alumni events and other social activities.

Special funding for disabled grantees:
Funding is available for US Fulbright students to Iceland with a disability, be it a structural or functional impairment or activity/participation limitation, that entails additional costs that are not covered specifically through the Fulbright Program. Funding may be available for a wide range of disabilities, including, for example, hearing, vision, or movement impairment. The funding could, for example, be used to assist with specialized housing needs, in-country transport, or specialized assistance. The extra funding amount will depend on need and will be decided by the Commission after consultation with the student. Funding is provided through the Bruce A. Fowler Mobility Fund. 

 

Grant Length
9 Months
Grant Period
September Start

Grant Length: 9 Months

Grants will begin from mid-August/beginning September. It is possible to shorten the grant length slightly, but generally not below 8 months. 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

No pre-departure orientation at present, but this may change.

In-Country Orientation is mandatory

The Fulbright Commission hosts a mandatory in-country orientation at the end of August/beginning of September.

Candidate Profile

All degree levels are welcome; from recently graduated bachelor students up to the Ph.D.-dissertation level across all disciplines.

Applicants may propose any of the following:

  • enroll in a university program in Iceland
  • do research and/or take classes related to a Master‘s or Ph.D. program in which they are already enrolled at their home institution
  • do independent research projects where the necessary research experience can be demonstrated, as well as skills and self-discipline to undertake such a project. The project must also be endorsed by an affiliate in Iceland that is competent to evaluate the feasibility of the project and provide necessary academic/professional support.

Projects with an artic focus are welcome, however, PhD students and students with a completed masters should apply to the Fulbright/National Science Foundation Arctic Research Award in Iceland. Please review that award description for more details. 

Eligibility
Dual citizens of this country are NOT eligible
Residency in host country permitted in year prior to grant

 Dual American/Icelandic citizens are not eligible.

If the applicant has lived in Iceland previously, this may affect the evaluation, but it does not automatically disqualify an applicant. 

Accepted Degree Levels
  • Bachelor's
  • Master's
  • Doctoral
Foreign Language Proficiency
Not Required

Additional Information: Icelandic language proficiency is not required, unless applicants are proposing to take courses that are taught in Icelandic or undertake research which requires language proficiency.

A wide variety of classes/programs at the graduate level are taught in English. Please refer to the university websites for information on course offerings in English. For those who are doing research or art projects, English is usually sufficient, but it will depend on the project. Some projects may require the ability to read or speak Icelandic. Study of Icelandic prior to arrival is encouraged in order to promote deeper engagement with the host community.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
Yes
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Yes
Affiliation
Independent Study/Research:
Letter required for independent study or research at deadline
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
Letter of acceptance required prior to grant start

Candidates are responsible for arranging their own host affiliations.

For independent study/research, preliminary contacts with host institutions and letters of support are necessary at the time of application.

Candidates planning to enroll in a university program in Iceland, and who have not yet gained admittance at the time of application, may declare their intent in the application, but must confirm the affiliation by the beginning of May at the latest.

Candidates are responsible for their own university applications and enrollments and must apply independently of their Fulbright application.

See the links below for more information on affiliations.

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

Grantees are responsible for all university applications, fees and tuition. It is the grantee's responsibility to inquire about tuition and fees at a proposed host university and make the necessary arrangements.

Most Icelandic universities have comparatively low fees and no tuition, but some do charge tuition. 

For students affiliated with a university, we also recommend that you inquire about housing availability.

Fulbright Iceland grants are for one academic year only. All Fulbright benefits cease at the end of the Fulbright grant period. It is not possible to extend a grant for a second year of study.

 

Housing Arrangements

Hosts should provide primary assistance with finding housing. Universities may offer dormitory housing to students who are fully enrolled in a study program. Universities generally have offices that provide assistance with housing or have sites where available housing is posted. Additionally, the Commission will provide information on websites where housing is advertised and will share any adverts that are sent to us. Those attending rural universities may also find a possibility for university housing.

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Grant Information

2,000 USD per month for a maximum of 9 months for Master's level students. Stipends are adjusted to the arrival and departure dates of grantees.

2,750 USD  per month for a maximum of 9 months for PhD students/candidates. Stipends are adjusted to the arrival and departure dates of grantees.

1,000 USD travel grant

300 USD baggage stipend.

Grantee enrichment activities are also organized by the Commission.

Iceland Country Overview

Iceland is a small Nordic country, an island republic in the North Atlantic, between the U.S. and the European mainland. Iceland is technologically advanced; English is widely spoken and Americans find Icelandic society and culture relatively easy to navigate.

Icelandic universities offer a variety of master´s programs that are conducted in English. There are also opportunities to conduct exciting research in English, although some research may require knowledge of the Icelandic language. In addition to our general grants, the Commission is very interested in projects that have relevance for the Arctic. Fulbright students who do their Fulbright in Iceland are generally pleased with their stay in Iceland and find it very useful for their academic journey, whether they are planning to study here, do independent research before going to graduate school, or do post-master´s or PhD research.

Student awards are for nine months, beginning between 15 August and 1 September.

Iceland has spectacular nature and offers an opportunity for unique outdoor experiences, including geothermally heated swimming pools, open year-round. There is also a vibrant cultural scene, for example great music and art. For those who plan to stay in Reykjavik, the city is small enough to be easy to navigate, but large enough to have a bit of everything. For those choosing a rural experience, small towns are welcoming and have a vibrant cultural life.

Since the Fulbright Program in Iceland is relatively small, the Commission is able to maintain close ties with grantees during their stay and provide a sense of community among Fulbright scholars and fellows. There are monthly grantee activities sponsored by the Commission, in addition to access to Fulbright alumni events and other social activities. Grantees are always welcome to stop by or contact the Commission.

Want to get a better feeling for being a Fulbrighter in Iceland? Take a look at Fulbright Iceland's grantee series, where alumni talk about their experience of being on a Fulbright grant in Iceland:

 

Fulbright Program Management Contact
FBstudent.EUR@iie.org
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
http://www.fulbright.is
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Sóley Margrét Rafnsdóttir: adviser@fulbright.is
Additional Online Resources
Facebook, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.facebook.com/fulbrighticeland/
University of Iceland: http://english.hi.is/
Reykjavik University: https://en.ru.is/
University of Akureyri: https://www.unak.is/english
Iceland University of the Arts: https://www.lhi.is/en
Agricultural University of Iceland: https://www.lbhi.is/en
Hólar University College: https://www.holar.is/en
Bifrost University: https://www.bifrost.is/english/
University Centre of the Westfjords: https://www.uw.is/
Instagram, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.instagram.com/fulbright_iceland/
Linkedin, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-commission-iceland
Fulbright Commission Iceland website: https://fulbright.is/
U.S. Student Grantee Feedback- 2021-2022: https://fulbright.is/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/FY2022-Annual-Report-WEB.pdf#page=12