ASF Fellowships for Americans in the Nordic Countries
Offered by American-Scandinavian Foundation
About This Scholarship
The American-Scandinavian Foundation has been sending Americans to the Nordic region for over a century, with more than 4,000 fellowships and grants awarded since the program began. Current awards come in two sizes: year-long fellowships of up to $23,000 and short-term (one to three month) fellowships of up to $5,000, supporting research, study, or creative-arts projects in Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sápmi, and Sweden.
Priority goes to graduate students conducting dissertation-related research, but academic professionals and creative artists compete as well, and awards are made in all fields. The money covers project costs including roundtrip airfare, room and board, in-country travel, tuition where applicable, and materials. In 2026 the foundation granted over $277,390 to 31 American Fellows.
Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education before the project starts and must arrange their own affiliation with a Nordic institution, with confirmation of the invitation required in the application. Some Nordic-language ability is desirable when the project demands it, and projects cannot begin before April 15 following the decision announcement.
Eligibility
- U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Undergraduate education completed before the project begins in the Nordic region
- Priority to graduate students doing dissertation-related research; academic professionals and artists also eligible, in all fields
- Must secure your own affiliation or invitation from a Nordic institution and provide confirmation
- First priority to applicants who have not previously held an ASF award (maximum two awards in ten years)
How To Apply
- Prepare a well-defined project description and statement explaining why a stay in the Nordic region is essential, written to be accessible to a multi-disciplinary review panel
- Secure a confirmed affiliation or invitation from the Nordic institution or individuals named in your proposal
- Arrange three recommendation letters, including one from your MA or PhD committee chair if you are a graduate candidate, and one addressing Nordic language proficiency if your project requires it
- Submit the complete ASF application by the November 1 deadline; decisions are announced April 15
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding can I receive?
Year-long fellowships provide up to $23,000 and short-term (1-3 month) fellowships up to $5,000, covering airfare, room and board, in-country travel, tuition where applicable, and materials.
Do I need to speak a Nordic language?
Only if your project requires it. ASF considers some host-country language ability desirable, and projects involving interviews expect you to conduct them in the local language, with one recommendation letter verifying your proficiency.
Can undergraduates apply?
No. Applicants must have completed their undergraduate education by the start of the project. The strongest candidates are graduate students doing dissertation research.