The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) funds Americans who want to carry out a research or creative-arts project in the Nordic region. Awards come in two sizes: a long-term fellowship of 4–12 months worth up to US$23,000, and a short-term grant of 1–3 months worth up to US$5,000. Projects may be based in Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden or Sápmi, and are accepted in every field.
Most recipients are graduate students working on dissertation research, alongside academic professionals and artists. In 2026, 31 American Fellows shared more than US$277,390, and more than 4,000 Americans have been supported over the past century.
Benefits & funding
- Long-term fellowship: up to US$23,000 for a project lasting 4–12 months.
- Short-term grant: up to US$5,000 for a project lasting 1–3 months.
- Funds cover project-related costs: round-trip airfare, room and board in the Nordic region, in-country travel, tuition and fees where applicable, and materials such as books, photocopying and art supplies.
- Awards are made in all fields, creative-arts projects included.
- Not funded: tuition at US institutions, English-language degree programs, the first year of graduate study, language courses, research assistants, conference travel, support for dependents, and publication costs.
- The number of awards changes each year with available funds; 31 American Fellows were funded in 2026.
Eligibility
- US citizens and US permanent residents.
- Undergraduate education completed by the time the project starts in the Nordic region.
- Preference for graduate students conducting dissertation research and for academic professionals; all fields are eligible.
- Some ability in a Nordic language is preferred; where the project requires it, one recommendation letter must confirm competency from a qualified instructor in that language.
- Applicants secure their own host affiliation in the Nordic country — ASF does not arrange placements.
- First-time ASF applicants are given first priority, and no one may hold more than two ASF awards within ten years.
- Team projects are welcome, but each member applies individually.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
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Residence required
USA
Education required
Bachelor · Master Enrolled · Master · PhD Enrolled · PhD
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Application process
- 1Approach a host institution or host contact in the Nordic country and request a letter of affiliation or invitation.
- 2Open an account on the ASF application portal and start either the long-term fellowship or the short-term grant application.
- 3Upload a CV, a project abstract of up to 150 words, a project statement of up to 1,500 words, and a budget built on the ASF template.
- 4Arrange three letters of recommendation — MA and PhD students must include their committee chair, and a language competency letter where the project needs one.
- 5Add transcripts (full-time faculty and independent scholars whose PhD is more than seven years old are exempt) and, for research involving human subjects, evidence of ethics compliance.
- 6Submit by 1 November. Decisions are announced on 15 April, and funded projects start after that date.
Program timeline
Application deadline for the next cycle
Nov 1, 2026
Decisions announced
Apr 15, 2027
Earliest start date for funded projects
Apr 16, 2027