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

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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.

Iceland

1 Fulbright/Icelandic Ministry of Culture Award

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

The program is administered by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies.

The scholarships are intended for students of modern Icelandic. Students must have prior knowledge of Icelandic according to the requirements for BA study in Icelandic as a second language (Icelandic knowledge on the level with the courses Icelandic Online 1 and 2). The grant is available only to those commencing studies. Those who have already started the program are not eligible.

Icelandic as a second language is comprised of both theoretical and practical fields of study. On the one hand it is a language course, where students are trained in speaking, reading and writing modern Icelandic. On the other hand it delves into the more academic aspects of the Icelandic language, literature and history of Iceland. Subjects covered include morphology, syntax and phonetics of modern Icelandic. The students read both old and modern literature and learn about the history of Iceland from settlement to modern times. Additionally, students are introduced to translations. 

As a rule, students are expected to follow the programme in line with their previous knowledge of Icelandic, whether they intend to complete the BA-degree or not.

Students that begin their studies in autumn are required to pass exams (30 ECTS) at the end of the term to be able to continue their studies for the spring term of the programme. The scholarship holders have to pass examinations in the end of the fall term to be eligible for the scholarship in the spring.

The application procedure is similar to other Fulbright grants. Applicants do not apply directly to the Árni Magnússon Institute for the grant, but through the Fulbright Commission. For additional information see: https://www.arnastofnun.is/en/about-scholarship. 

Please note, however, that applicants must apply for admission to the University of Iceland. This is a separate application that must be submitted by 1 February to the university. Applicants must apply to the program or time, or your application will not be considered.

The online admission exam for the BA-programme will be held the second week of June.

Students with considerable prior knowledge of Icelandic may move directly into the second year by passing examinations held in August.

Students are eligible for dormitory housing at the University of Iceland, but are otherwise responsible for their own housing. 

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
August Start

Grant term mid-August through mid-May.

Grant Length: 9 months.

It is important that grant recipients arrive on time to Iceland. The autumn term begins in the latter part of August. An introductory session with new students will be held before the beginning of the academic year where the organisation and requirements for the study programme will be presented. 

Orientation
In-Country Orientation

No Pre-Departure Orientation at present, but that could 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

This cost-shared grant is for a student who has completed a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. and is interested in studying modern Icelandic as a second language at the University of Iceland. The scholarship is intended for students of modern Icelandic. Students must have prior knowledge of Icelandic (see further info on the university website listed below). The grant is available only to those commencing studies. Those who have already started the program are not eligible.

Students committed to completing the degree program in Icelandic will be given priority. Preference will be given to a candidate under 35 years of age. For additional information see About the Scholarship on Árnastofnun's website. 

Students who wish to continue the program after their first year of studies can apply directly with Árnastofnun. However, all Fulbright benefits cease at the end of the Fulbright grant period.

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
Special Application Instructions

In the Fulbright online application, in the Award Selection, please select Fulbright/Icelandic Ministry of Culture Award from the drop-down menu.

Foreign Language Proficiency
Required - Novice

Additional Information: Students must have prior knowledge of Icelandic according to the requirements for BA study in Icelandic as a second language (Icelandic knowledge on the level with the courses Icelandic Online 1 and 2). 

Please see the program website for details.

Fulbright Proposal Types
Independent Study/Research:
No
Graduate Degree Enrollment:
No
Affiliation

Please note that applicants must apply for admission to the University of Iceland.

This is a separate application that must be submitted by 1 February to the university.

Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Affiliation Fees/Tuition covered in grant benefits

Tuition fee is covered in the grant benefits. 

The application fee for the University of Iceland is not covered.

It is the grantee's responsibility to inquire about tuition and fees and to make necessary arrangements.

Fulbright Iceland grants are for one academic year only. All Fulbright benefits cease at the end of the Fulbright grant period. However, the student can apply for a continued grant directly with Árnastofnun.

Housing Arrangements

Students enrolled in the program will have access to university dormitory housing. The University of Iceland has an office that provides assistance with off-campus housing and has sites where available housing is posted. Additionally, the Commission will provide information on websites where housing is advertised and will pass on any adverts send to the Commission. 

Dependents
Dependent financial support is NOT available
Grant information

This is a cost-share grant. The main stipend is provided by the Árni Magnússon Institute, covering minimal subsistance requirements as set out by the Directorate of Immigration. The Fulbright Commission provides a top-up to ensure that the grant meets the standard amount of a Fulbright Iceland student grant. 

1,000 USD travel grant

300 USD baggage stipend.

The Commission provides enrichment activities for grantees. 

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
Arni Magnusson Institute, scholarship information: https://www.arnastofnun.is/en/about-scholarship
University of Iceland, Icelandic language studies: https://english.hi.is/node/52390/#baprogramme
Facebook - Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.facebook.com/fulbrighticeland
Instagram - Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.instagram.com/fulbright_iceland/
LinkedIn - Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-commission-iceland/
Website - Fulbright Commission Iceland: 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