Iceland
4 Fulbright/National Science Foundation Arctic Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
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Grant PeriodAugust StartGrant Length9 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Approximately 2-5 awards may be available for the Fulbright-National Science Foundation Arctic Research Grant. The students will be expected to conduct substantive, Arctic-related research in Iceland. Projects must be well defined and must be completed within the grant period.
The grant is open to PhD students and students with a completed master's in all social and natural science fields. The proposed project must have relevance for the Arctic and the people living there. These include but are not limited to work in the fields of political science, anthropology, archaeology, linguistics, governance, health (excluding clinical medicine), economics, ecology, glaciology, geology, education and other applicable fields.
Icelandic universities provide many courses in English. Iceland also provides very interesting research opportunities in a wide variety of 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.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grants will begin in mid August - 1 September 2026.
Grant Length: 9 months. It is possible to shorten the grant length slightly, but generally not below 8 months.
Orientation
A mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation will be held in March or April. Grantees are expected to make the necessary arrangements to attend.
The Fulbright Commission hosts an in-country orientation at the end of August/beginning of September. The in-country orientation is also mandatory.
Candidate Profile
Ph.D. students are preferred but students who have completed their master's in the social and natural sciences are also eligible. Projects must be Arctic-relevant and must be research-focused. Candidates must have a well defined and substantive research project and must display the research experience and skills to undertake research in a foreign country.
Please note that Ph.D. students are eligible to apply for this grant even though they are receiving other dissertation funding through NSF or other bodies, as long as need is demonstrated and it is clear that funds will be used for different purposes.
What is life like for Fulbrighters in the host country?
Applicants are expected to research their host country. Application materials should indicate a clear commitment to the host country community and a description of how you will engage with it.
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. 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.
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.
Icelandic weather conditions can be harsh in winter, with strong winds in addition to cold temperatures and snow. Due to its geographical location in the high north, many find it difficult to adjust to the short days in December and January, where there are only around four hours of daylight. However, as spring approaches, the days get progressively longer and by May you can expect almost 24-hour daylight.
Icelanders may seem unapproachable, compared to Americans who are generally more open. The best way to integrate with the locals is through activities and hobbies. Once you get to know Icelanders, they are very welcoming. Icelanders are generally friendly to Americans due to our close relationship since the Second World War.
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:
Eligibility
Dual American/Icelandic citizens are not eligible.
Applicants who have not lived in Iceland are preferred. If the applicant has lived in Iceland for up to one year, it does not automatically disqualify the applicant.
Degree Level of Applicant
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
In the Fulbright online application, in the Award Selection, please select Fulbright/National Science Foundation Arctic Research Award from the drop-down menu.
Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) Form
If required, submission of the Foreign Language Evaluation (FLE) form is mandatory, even if you have advanced skills or are a native speaker of the language. Failure to submit the required FLE form may impact your eligibility.
It is expected that research projects can be successfully completed in English.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
No
Affiliation
Affilation with any university, research organization or other appropriate partner in Iceland. If the primary affiliation is non-academic, a secondary academic affiliation is preferred. Candidates are responsible for arranging their own host affiliations. If a letter of affiliation is not submitted with the application, this should be sent to the Commission once the applicant has been notified by IIE of semi-finalist status.
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Not applicable.
Fulbright-NSF Arctic Research students do not generally have to pay tuition fees for research affiliations.
Fulbright Iceland grants are for one academic year only. All Fulbright benefits cease at the end of the Fulbright grant period.
Award Benefits
- A stipend broadly based on the cost of living in the host country. These funds may be used by the grantee to support housing, meals, and incidental costs during the grant period.
- International travel benefits
- Accident & sickness health benefits
- 24/7 mental health support line for urgent and non-urgent situations
- 12 months of non-competitive eligibility (NCE) hiring status within the federal government
Stipend Amount
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
2,000 USD per month for a maximum of 9 months for post-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. An additional research stipend for PhD students/candidates is 300 USD per month. A student may request a small additional amount based on need and subject to Commission approval.
All allowances are denominated in U.S. dollars but paid in ISK, according to the current exchange rate.
One-Time Allowances
This is an estimated amount and is subject to change. The financial terms of the grant will be confirmed in the grant document issued after selection.
1,000 USD travel grant, payable with the first grant payment.
300 USD baggage stipend, payable at the end of the grant period.
All allowances are denominated in U.S. dollars but paid in ISK, according to the current exchange rate.
Additional Grant Benefits
Grantees will be invited to monthly enrichment activities organized by the Commission.
After six months on a residence permit, all grantees are automatically enrolled in the national health system, giving them the same access to health services as permanent residents.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
It is important to keep in mind that Iceland is expensive. The minimum support criteria for an individual living in Iceland is ISK 247.572 per month (approximately USD 1760). However, this amount might not necessarily reflect actual living costs, which can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle, spending habits and location. Housing outside of the capital area is generally more affordable. Fast food is considerably more expensive than in the U.S. Food is generally expensive in Iceland, so cooking at home and taking advantage of universities' cafeterias is recommended for those on a budget. Please note that those not enrolled as full-time students in a university program might not be eligible for the various student discounts offered in public transportation, museums, activities, shops, etc.
Rough estimates of living costs for a single person:
- Housing, including utilities: typically ISK 100,000/month and up
- Food and daily expenses: ISK 56,000/month and up
- Books and other study materials: ISK 40,000/semester and up (depending on your project)
- Local public transportation: ISK 6,000/month and up
- Leisure activities: ISK 22,000/month and up
Dependents
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. Other students in most cases will have to find housing on the open market, but may in limited cases be eligible for student housing and must contact their host institution to inquire. 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. For those eligible, we strongly urge students to consider dormitory housing at their university as this is often the most affordable housing available.
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.
Fulbright Program Management Contact
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Website
Fulbright Commission/U.S. Embassy Contact
Additional Online Resources
University of Akureyri: https://www.unak.is/english
Reykjavik University: https://en.ru.is/
Hólar University College: https://www.holar.is/en
Agricultural University of Iceland: https://www.lbhi.is/en
Fulbright Commission Iceland website: https://fulbright.is/
Facebook, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.facebook.com/fulbrighticeland
Linkedin, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fulbright-commission-iceland/
Instagram, Fulbright Commission Iceland: https://www.instagram.com/fulbright_iceland/
U.S Student Grantee Feedback - 2022-2023: http://fulbright.is/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/FY2023-Annual-Report_VEF.pdf#page=12
Research Centres at the University of Iceland: https://english.hi.is/university/research_institutions
Stefansson Arctic Institute: https://www.svs.is/en/
The Centre for Arctic Policy Studies: https://ams.hi.is/en/centre-for-arctic-studies/
Iceland Arctic Cooperation Network: https://www.arcticiceland.is/
Iceland’s Arctic Policy: https://www.government.is/library/01-Ministries/Ministry-for-Foreign-Affairs/PDF-skjol/Arctic%20Policy_WEB.pdf