Norway
12 Open Study/Research Award
Accepted Degree Levels
|
Grant PeriodAugust StartGrant Length6-10 Months |
Award Type
Award Profile
Academic year grants for graduate level students (including those in doctoral programs) for study and/or research in Norway. Graduate level means having a bachelor’s degree in hand prior to the start of the grant.
Contingent upon funding, up to 12 grants will be awarded.
Grant Length
Grant Period
Grant Length: 10 months.
Grants normally begin in August. Projects may start before August 2026 only if necessary for completion of the proposed research, e.g. ecological samples that have to be collected during the summer. The necessity of starting a project before August must be confirmed in the letter of invitation.
Shorter project timelines may be acceptable for Ph.D. candidates who want to be in Norway for less than 10 months. To be eligible for stays between 6-9 months, the applicant must have no more than one year of PhD studies remaining upon return to the US.
Orientation
A mandatory Fulbright orientation will be held for all grantees in mid-late August. The Foundation will pay travel expenses for grantees located in cities other than Oslo.
Grantees are also encouraged to participate in orientation at their host universities.
Candidate Profile
Well-qualified candidates at all degree levels will be considered. Candidates must be mature, self-motivated individuals who are capable of working independently with little supervision. Projects can be either full-time study, independent research, or a combination of independent research and courses or seminars.
Proposals are welcome from candidates in all disciplines.
Important Note: Fulbright grants are sufficient to cover a grantee’s living expenses in Norway, but not much more. Please note that no additional funding is provided for tuition (but see below), academic conferences, translators, lab fees, equipment, supplies, or fieldwork.
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.
Norway is an excellent place to live, study, and conduct research. With a strong public emphasis on knowledge and learning, Norway's generously funded and publicly accessible system of higher education and research is the backbone of Norwegian intellectual development, creativity, and innovation. A good introduction to Norway can be found here. In addition, Statistics Norway has a wealth of information in English on many topics.
The vast majority of higher education institutions in Norway are public. There is a single national admissions process for undergraduate study at public colleges and universities as well as some private institutions. In accordance with European standards the years of study for a bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degree are three, two and three respectively. In-depth information about higher education in Norway can be found here.
Norwegian institutions of higher education and research offer many opportunities for international students to take classes and conduct research. English is used almost as a second language in Norway, and the international environment in most research and higher education institutions means that competence in Norwegian is not a requirement.
In addition, The Research Council of Norway has designated a number of Centers of Excellence and Centers for Research-Based Innovation in various fields. The centers are affiliated with Norway's top universities and premier independent research institutes and may be of particular interest.
Eligibility
5 Months
Degree Level of Applicant
- Bachelor's
- Master's
- Doctoral
Special Application Instructions
Issues of feasibility should be thoroughly addressed in the Statement of Grant Purpose and in the letter(s) of affiliation. Examples include language barriers, access to equipment and/or datasets, and cultural sensitivities. If the proposed project entails working with human subjects or human subject data, the project proposal and/or letter of invitation must detail how the requisite Norwegian ethics approval will be obtained.
If the project will incur costs beyond the basic living expenses covered by Fulbright such as fieldwork, studio fees, or lab supplies, provide an explanation of how those expenses will be covered.
Letters of recommendation may not come from the proposed Norwegian host institution.
Please note that all application materials, including letters of affiliation, must be submitted by the application deadline. Materials submitted after the deadline will not be considered.
The US-Norway Fulbright Foundation encourages all applicants to contact them for further information: fulbright@fulbright.no
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.
Norwegian language proficiency is not required, unless necessary for successful completion of the proposed project.
Fulbright Proposal Types
Yes
Yes
Affiliation
Host interest is a key factor in determining who will be awarded a grant. All applicants are required to have an affiliation in Norway. Affiliations can be with any research, educational or creative group or organization that will facilitate the project. However, all applicants, including artists, are strongly encouraged to seek affiliation with a Norwegian university or college, as this offers benefits in securing housing, student status, and workspace. Grants are for study and/or research at one or at most two locations. They are not sufficient to cover extensive in-country travel, fieldwork, translation services, equipment etc.
Letter(s) of affiliation should come from a host or hosts who will advise you on your project for the duration of your stay, not an administrator or head of department (unless that person would be working with you directly in an academic capacity). If the proposed project entails study and/or research in two locations, a letter of affiliation is required from one host in each place. An evaluation/comment on the feasibility of the proposed project from a Norwegian host or hosts is essential and should be addressed in your letter(s) of affiliation. This is especially important if your plans involve independent research.
For candidates in the arts, hosts should indicate they will be actively involved in the proposed project, as well as plans for connection with the community prior to a final product such as a concert or exhibit.
Applicants who plan to pursue a degree should not expect admission to the degree program or institution prior to applying for a Fulbright grant and are therefore not expected to include a letter of admission with their applications. However, a letter of affiliation with an evaluation/comment on the feasibility of the proposed project from the Norwegian host or hosts is still required.
An invitation to apply is not sufficient. For study programs conditional on admission, the letter should come from a professor who would serve as your academic advisor should you gain admission. The letter should address your suitability for the proposed studies and their willingness to work with you. The letter should also discuss the strength of the match between your background and the proposed focus of your studies with what the program has to offer and/or the advisor’s academic specialties. Please note that the letter can be conditional on admission.
Students who plan to pursue degrees should apply formally to the Norwegian institution before its deadline and pay close attention to admissions requirements. In particular, be aware that some Norwegian universities require that applicants have a bachelor’s degree in hand at the time of application. Likewise, pay attention to credit requirements, both in terms of what type and how many are required for admission, and in terms of deadlines by which required credits must have been earned.
Applicants who clear the U.S. selection process should be advised that their hosts will be contacted by the Fulbright commission in Norway for additional feedback and a reaffirmation of their commitment to host the grantee. Such reaffirmation is an important factor in the Commission’s selection of applicants; if there is no response from your host(s), you will not be considered for a grant.
Applicants wanting to take a class or conduct research at UNIS may do so by arrangement with their host university in mainland Norway. Applications for full-time study or research at UNIS will not be considered.
Information on all Norwegian institutions of higher learning can be found at the website for The Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT).
Affiliation Fees/Tuition
Norway started charging tuition at public universities for students from outside the EU region in the fall of 2023, but has granted an exemption for Fulbright grantees. This exemption includes Fulbright grantees who enroll in full master’s degree programs and is applicable for both years.
With the exception of a nominal semester fee, Fulbright students at public universities need only pay for books if they take courses.
Please know that private universities may charge substantial tuition fees. Fulbright does not adjust the stipend to cover the cost of attending a private university.
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.
PhD level students, i.e. those who will have earned a master's degree prior to coming to Norway, will get an additional 2,000 Norwegian krone per month.
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.
- Excess baggage fees
An excess baggage fee of 500 Norwegian krone will be paid upon arrival in Norway, and another 500 krone upon departure.
In addition, a 10,000 Norwegian krone relocation allowance is provided to help offset expenses related to moving to Norway which may be incurred prior to leaving the U.S.
Additional Grant Benefits
- Mid-year seminar
There will be a seminar in February during which awardees present on their projects and experience a part of Norway they may not have been to before. Domestic travel and lodging expenses for the awardee and their dependent family members for the seminar is covered by the Fulbright Foundation.
Estimated Cost of Living
Consider using cost of living comparison websites to gain a better understanding of the potential costs in your host country.
The cost of living in Norway is relatively high, but the Fulbright stipend is sufficient for covering basic living expenses and exceeds what is required by immigration authorities.
The Norwegian National Institute for Consumer Research maintains a standard Reference Budget for Consumer Expenditures which allows you to calculate estimated expenses: www.oslomet.no/en/about/sifo/reference-budget
Dependents
An additional monthly allowance of between 3,500-6,000 Norwegian krone per month is provided for accompanying dependents.
In order for your spouse/partner to satisfy requirements for a Norwegian residence permit on the basis of family reunification, you normally have to be at least 24 years old. If you are younger than this, your spouse/partner may have to apply for a permit on other grounds and document their own funding.
Housing Arrangements
Master-level students are usually offered affordable housing in the student village at their host universities. For Ph.D. students, researcher housing may be available. Grantees are also welcome to arrange their own private housing.
Note about Dependent Support
Limited extra support for dependents is provided. Be advised, however, that this sum is not sufficient to meet income requirements for family member residence permits. The grantee and/or their family member(s) should therefore be prepared to supplement the Fulbright grant with personal funds or proof of employment during the grant period.