The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) is the big one for US citizens: year-long fellowships of up to $23,000, or short-term awards of 1 to 3 months worth up to $5,000, for graduate students and academic professionals doing research or creative work in the Nordic region. The deadline is November 1 and decisions come out on April 15. If you are British, look at the Anglo-Norse Society instead. If you are Canadian, start with the scholarships page on Study in Norway.
Who the ASF fellowships are for
You need to be a US citizen or permanent resident, and you must have finished your undergraduate degree by the time your project starts. ASF gives priority to graduate-level candidates doing dissertation-related research, and it makes awards in all fields.
One thing trips people up: ASF does not fund programmes especially designed for English-speaking students, or study at English-language institutions. It also will not fund beginning studies in any subject. So a taught master's set up for international students is unlikely to fit. A research project tied to your dissertation is the sort of thing that does.
You will need three letters of recommendation, and you can only receive two ASF awards within a ten-year period. Plan accordingly.
How the application timeline works
Everything hangs on two dates. You apply by November 1, and you hear back on April 15. Your project should not begin before April 15, so do not book anything for the spring.
- Check your eligibility in the autumn, well before the deadline.
- Line up three referees early. Three letters take time.
- Submit by November 1.
- Wait for the April 15 decision before making plans.
If you are still choosing where to study, our guide for international students covers the basics of how Norwegian degrees are structured. Bachelor's degrees take three years (180 ECTS), master's degrees two years (120 ECTS) after a bachelor's, and doctoral degrees three or four years.
NORAM: the Norwegian side of the same money
The Norway-America Association (NORAM) administers scholarships in Norway on behalf of ASF and Thanks to Scandinavia. It has awarded more than 5,000 scholarships since 1919. If you are applying for ASF money to work in Norway, NORAM is the body handling the Norwegian end, so expect its name to come up.
British students: the Anglo-Norse Society
The Anglo-Norse Society in London is a registered charity that supports scholarships for British students going to Norway for graduate and postgraduate study. It is a smaller, more specific route than ASF, and it is worth checking directly with the Society for its current conditions before you build a plan around it.
Canadian students and other US options
Study in Norway keeps a page of scholarships for Canadians, which is the sensible starting point if you hold a Canadian passport. For US citizens, it also lists the Sons of Norway Foundation and Lakselaget alongside ASF and NORAM.
Our own scholarship directory is a good place to browse what is out there. Entries include the BI Master International Scholarship, the BI Presidential Scholarship, the NORSTIP scholarship at the University of Oslo, Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters scholarships, the A. Wilhelmsen Foundation Scholarship at BI and the Students at Risk (StAR) scholarship.
What scholarships do not cover
Be clear about the gap. The Norwegian government offers no individual scholarships to degree students. Degree-seeking students from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland must normally pay tuition fees at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary between institution and programme. Students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at public institutions.
Any fee shown on this site is as listed in the Study in Norway register, so confirm it with the institution before you count on it. If you are comparing places to apply, our list of all universities in Norway covers the 27 institutions in our catalogue, alongside 353 programmes.
You will also need a residence permit for studies if you are from outside the EU/EEA and Switzerland and plan to stay three months or longer. UDI decides on permits; the institution decides on admission. Check udi.no for the current rules and costs rather than relying on second-hand figures.
Applying to the institution itself
Admission is separate from funding, and the routes differ. Bachelor's degrees taught in English are handled through the institutions' own systems, while bachelor's degrees taught in Norwegian go through the Norwegian Universities and Colleges Admission Service (NUCAS). Postgraduate programmes are not part of the NUCAS coordinated service, so master's applicants apply through the institution's website.
| Award | Who it is for | Headline detail |
|---|---|---|
| ASF year-long fellowship | US citizens and permanent residents, graduate level | Up to $23,000; apply by 1 November |
| ASF short-term fellowship | US citizens and permanent residents | 1 to 3 months, up to $5,000 |
| NORAM | Administers ASF and Thanks to Scandinavia awards in Norway | More than 5,000 scholarships since 1919 |
| Anglo-Norse Society | British students | Graduate and postgraduate study in Norway |
Sources
- American-Scandinavian Foundation, fellowships in Scandinavia
- NORAM, stipend information
- Anglo-Norse Society, home page
- Study in Norway, scholarships and exchange students
- Study in Norway, education system
- Study in Norway, admission to degree programmes
- Samordna opptak, English home page
- Study in Norway, tuition fees
- Study in Norway, cost and requirements
- Study in Norway, scholarships for degree students
Frequently asked questions
What is the deadline for the American-Scandinavian Foundation fellowship?
The application deadline is November 1, and decisions are announced on April 15. Your project should not begin before April 15, so plan your travel and enrolment around that date.
How much does the ASF fellowship pay?
Year-long fellowships are up to $23,000. Short-term fellowships of 1 to 3 months are up to $5,000. Both are for graduate students and academic professionals doing research or creative-arts projects in the Nordic region.
Can I use an ASF fellowship for a master's taught in English in Norway?
Probably not. ASF does not fund programmes especially designed for English-speaking students or study at English-language institutions, and it does not fund beginning studies in any subject. It gives priority to graduate candidates doing dissertation-related research.
Are there scholarships for British students wanting to study in Norway?
The Anglo-Norse Society in London is a registered charity that supports scholarships for British students pursuing graduate and postgraduate study in Norway. Check with the Society directly for current conditions, and browse our scholarship directory for other options.