Students at Risk (StAR) scholarship

Students at Risk is a programme run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. It started from an initiative by SAIH and NSO, and has been running since 2013. Over 100 students have received scholarships and study places through it.

The programme is for students who are at risk of being formally or de facto denied educational or other rights in their home country because of their human rights activism. The risk can include physical violence, arrest, denial of civil rights, or other forms of pressure.

If accepted, you enrol in a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at a Norwegian higher education institution that takes part in the programme. HK-dir pays a scholarship during your stay in Norway. When you finish your studies, you are expected to return to your home country.

The programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and administered by HK-dir. It is part of Norway's human rights policy, as set out in two white papers: Meld. St. 10 (2014-15) and Meld. St. 24 (2016-17).

• You must be nominated by one of the designated institutions, embassies, universities or human rights organisations. You cannot apply directly or nominate yourself.
• You must be actively involved in activism aimed at improving the conditions for one or more human rights in a country on the DAC List of ODA Recipients, at a level deemed to entail personal risk (for example, of physical violence, arrest or denial of civil rights).
• You must have valid residency (temporary or permanent) in a country on the DAC List of ODA Recipients.
• You must qualify for admission to higher education in Norway. HK-dir assesses the academic and linguistic qualification of nominated candidates.

• A scholarship from HK-dir during your stay in Norway.
• Enrolment in a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at a Norwegian higher education institution that participates in the programme.

You cannot apply directly to the StAR programme. The steps below describe how the process works according to the official page.

1. You must be nominated by one of the designated institutions, embassies, universities or human rights organisations. Candidates cannot nominate themselves.
2. HK-dir assesses the academic and linguistic qualification of each nominated candidate.
3. If you are accepted, you are enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree programme at a participating Norwegian higher education institution.
4. You receive a scholarship from HK-dir during your stay in Norway.

Confirm every detail on the official page before you take any action.