Fulbright Iceland-National Science Foundation Nordic Award in Arctic Security
Multi-Country
Iceland
Denmark
Finland
Norway
Sweden
Multi-country
Number of recipients
This is primarily a research grant. The recipient of this award will conduct research related to evolving Arctic security/northern security and geopolitical concerns. This research will be undertaken in Iceland and one other Nordic country, with the goal of contributing substantively to the debate on Arctic security, broadly defined, to ensure a stable and sustainable Arctic region.
This is a unique opportunity to undertake research in two Arctic states on a timely topic that is high on the agenda in the U.S. and the Nordic countries.
Project proposals must be well-defined, and the chosen project must be completed within the grant period. The scholar may be invited to engage in some teaching, mentoring, and development activity, in addition to the research.
Affiliation with any university, research organization, or other appropriate partners in Iceland and another Nordic country.
3 months in each country consecutively, 6 months in total.
Grants should begin no earlier than mid-August 2026. Grants must be completed by end of June 2027.
There is a possibility to conduct the project in two segments, with one segment encompassing Iceland and the other segment encompassing the other Nordic state.
The Flex Award is designed for scholars who require multiple visits to the host country. This option allows grants to be conducted over two or three short segments. Applicants must select Flex in the application form, and clearly describe their plans for Flex in their project statement, including a project timeline. Flex grantees may be asked to give public talks, mentor students, and otherwise engage with the host-country academic community.
The grant is open to scholars and professionals in relevant fields as they relate to Arctic security.
Relevant fields include, but are not limited to governance, political science and international relations, security studies, defense studies, law, cybersecurity, environmental security, food, energy, and water security, science and technology, hybrid threats or other appropriate fields.
The local hosts should help the scholar to settle in, provide introductions and, in general, provide assistance to ensure a productive and enjoyable Fulbright experience.
This grant is offered through a unique partnership with the National Science Foundation and provides an unique opportunity to build relations with NSF and Fulbright Commissions. The grant is a great opportunity for those who wish to conduct NSF-funded research abroad under the auspices, and with the support, of Fulbright Commissions.
All applicants must meet the Program eligibility requirements (click to review the requirements).
Applicants must submit letters of invitation from institutions both in Iceland and the other Nordic country involved.
If applicants need assistance in finding appropriate affiliation, they are welcome to contact the appropriate Fulbright Commissions.
In Iceland:
University of Iceland | Research Centres at the University of Iceland
University of Akureyri
Bifröst University
Hólar University
The Agricultural University of Iceland
University Centre of the Westfjords
Stefansson Arctic Institute
The Centre for Arctic Studies
In Denmark:
University of Copenhagen
Arctic DTU - Technical University of Denmark
AAU Arctic– Aalborg University
Ilisimatusarfik – University of Greenland
Pinngortitaleriffik – Greenland Institute of Natural Resources
University of Southern Denmark – Center of Public Health in Greenland
DIIS - Danish Institute for International Studies
In Finland:
Universities with Arctic-focus:
University of Oulu
University of Lapland
Arctic Centre – University of Lapland
Thule Institute – University of Oulu
Finland’s Strategy for Arctic Policy
In Norway:
General:
Basic introduction to life in Norway
Government’s presentation of higher education in Norway, with links to all universities
Statistics Norway has a wealth of information in English about Norway
List of US scholars who have had Fulbrights to Norway
Institutions with an Arctic focus:
Government page on High North strategy
Norwegian Polar Institute
UiT Arctic University of Norway
UNIS – University Centre at Svalbard
NORD University
University of Bergen
NTNU
Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research
In Sweden:
Universities and organizations with Arctic focus:
The Arctic Centre
The Arctic Five
Stockholm Environment Institute
Swedish Polar Research Secretariat
Sami Land Free University
Swedish Sami Council
$5,000 per month or $5,500 per month for grantees with a dependent or dependents, payable monthly. A dependent must stay in the host country for at least 80% of the grant period to be eligible for a dependent supplement.
The grant is denominated in U.S. dollars but some and possibly all payments will be paid in the local currency according to the current exchange rate.
The grant is intended to cover living costs in the host countries.
No separate housing allowance provided. Grantees are responsible for arranging their own housing, but the host institution is expected to assist the grantee in finding affordable housing and settling in. Some hosts institutions in Iceland may in some instances be able to offer on-campus housing.
Travel allowance is $2,500 for the grantee, payable with the first grant payment.
Baggage allowance is $600, payable at the end of the grant period.
It is not necessary to provide a receipt for travel and baggage allowance.
Travel and baggage allowances are to cover both travels from and to the U.S. and between Iceland and the other Nordic country.
All allowances are denominated in U.S. dollars but may be paid in the local currency according to the current exchange rate.
An additional research stipend is up to $1,000 per month, depending on the project.
$750 travel allowance per dependent in total for all travel.
Children can attend primary and lower-secondary public schools at little or no cost in the Nordic countries, which is a great way to integrate into local society. Depending on the location, there might be private international schools available in the area. Tuition fee for private schooling is not covered by the grant.
Dependents must accompany the grantee for at least 80% of the period abroad and a minimum of one semester in order to qualify for additional dependent benefits. Dependent benefits are not provided to Flex grantees.
The Nordic countries are considered high-cost countries. Housing is comparable to many U.S. cities, with housing most expensive in capital areas and less expensive outside the capital areas. Many grantees live centrally and can walk to most destinations, but public transport is widely available.
In Iceland:
The scholar will be invited to monthly grantee enrichment events provided by the Fulbright Commission during the academic year. Also, the scholar will be taken out to lunch at the beginning and end of the grant period for briefing and debriefing.
In Denmark:
The scholar will be invited to enrichment events provided by Fulbright Denmark and their respective research group(s) during the academic year. Strong focus on social activities. Special activities for scholars traveling with families.
In Finland:
The scholar will be invited to special enrichment events provided by Fulbright Finland Foundation during the academic year.
In Norway:
Scholar will be invited to orientation seminar and reception at Nobel Institute, and the social highlight of the Fulbright Norway year, the February ski-weekend at a resort near Lillehammer.
In Sweden:
The scholar will be invited to special enrichment events provided by Fulbright Sweden during the academic year.
Special funding for disabled grantees
Funding is available for U.S. Fulbright scholars to Iceland and Finland 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. Some 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 scholar. Funding is provided through the Bruce A. Fowler Mobility Fund.
Contact at the Fulbright Commission in Iceland: fulbright@fulbright.is.
Contact at the Fulbright Commission in Denmark: info@fulbright.dk
Contact at the Fulbright Finland Foundation:
Program Manager, Scholar Programs
Tel: +358 44 5535 275
UsScholars@fulbright.fi
Coordinator
UsScholars@fulbright.fi
Contact at the Fulbright Commission in Norway: fulbright@fulbright.no
Contact at the Fulbright Commission in Sweden: fulbright@fulbright.se