Many foundations offer financial support for students who want to travel to Norway or the United States, hoping that it will increase their interest in the other country. You can find some of these scholarships here.
For comments or changes, please contact cg.newyork@mfa.no
The America-Norway Heritage Fund Grant
The Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota, hands out this award that aims to cover travel expenses as well as an honorarium for a two week stay in Norway. It was established in 1985 by the Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Society in the hope of giving special grant to Norwegian-Americans who have contributed in a particular way to American culture. The student can be of all ages, but he or she must present works on American culture in Norway during their stay. Also, the stay must be between October and April, and the applicant must be an American of Norwegian descent. Students wanting to apply for this grant must present a proposal to the company; not an application. More information about this grant can be found at http://www.norseman.no/grants.asp.
Who may apply: American student of Norwegian descent
Amount: Travel expenses paid for two-week stay in Norway
Level: n/a
Application deadline: Proposals, no applications
Contact: Lutheran Brotherhood Insurance Company, 625 Fourth Ave. S., MS 856, Minneapolis, MN 55415. Phone: (612) 340-7037
The American-Scandinavian Foundation Cultural Awards
These awards are given to Norwegian artists by the Andrew E. and G. Norman Wigeland Fund. The artists must travel to the United States and participate in cultural projects. It is particularly important that the artists raise awareness of Norway and Norwegian culture and society while they are staying in the United States. The American-Scandinavian Foundation also wants the performers to leave a lasting impression on the United States. Furthermore, the organization considers financial support from other sources very positive.
Who may apply: Norwegians
Amount: $500 - $5,000
Level: n/a
Application deadline: Four times a year
Contact: The American-Scandinavian Foundation, 58 Park Ave, New York, NY 10016. Phone: (212) 879-9779. Fax (212) 249-3444. E-mail: grants@amscan.org
HM King Olav V’s Travel Grant
This grant is given to applicants who are members of the Norse Federation, or whose parents are members of the organization. Applicants from the United States will have to go to Norway to study, and they must be between 18 and 23 years old in order to apply. Further details may be obtained by contacting the Norse Federation in Oslo.
Who may apply: US citizens. Must be members or related to members of the Norse Federation
Amount: 10000 NOK
Level: 18 – 23 years old
Application deadline: April 1
Contact: Nordmanns-Forbundet, Rådhusgt. 23B, 0158 Oslo, Norway. Phone: (+47) 23 35 71 70 or fax (+47) 23 35 71 75. E-mail: norseman@norseman.no
The Memorial Fund of May 8th 1970
25 awards are given out to applicants from all over the world who want to attend a Norwegian folk high school for a year. The scholarship covers the entire tuition for one year, and it is awarded by the Norwegian parliament and the “Informasjonskontor for Kristeleg Folkehøgskole” in Norway. The applicants must be between 18 and 22 years old, and they cannot be Norwegian citizens. They must also return to their home country after one year in Norway. If you want to receive information about this scholarship click here
Who may apply: All nationalities except Norwegians. Must be between 18 and 22 years old
Amount: Full tuition for one year
Level: 18 – 22 years old
Application deadline: 1 November for school year 2009/2010
Contact: The Memorial Fund of 8th of May 1970, c/o IKF, Grensen 9a, 0159 Oslo, Norway. E-mail: ikf@ikf.no.
The Leif Erikson Lodge Awards
The Leif Erikson Lodge in Seattle, WA, offers several different scholarships to Americans and Norwegians. The application deadline for all of the scholarships, awards and grants that are listed below is April 15, and they must be received by that date by the Leif Erikson Lodge. Further information about the application procedures and deadlines may be obtained by contacting the Leif Erikson Lodge in Seattle, Washington.
The Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant
The Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant is awarded to people who work with youth camps in the USA. The applicant must work as a youth camp leader in one of the Sons of Norway’s youth camps in the United States. Applicants who are youth leaders in more than one camp have a better chance of receiving the award. The applicant must show a great interest in Norwegian heritage and culture, and preferably be involved with a program at an accredited university that offers Scandinavian studies. The applicant must also be a member of the Leif Erikson Lodge or the Sons of Norway and show a great deal of knowledge of Scandinavian culture and tradition. The applicant must write an essay of 200-250 words showing why he or she is interested in the Nordic countries, career goals and things the applicant has already done that are useful for future involvement with the Norwegian-American community. The award is $500 per camp.
Who may apply: US citizens working as youth camp leaders
Amount: $500
Level: n/a
Application deadline: April 15
Contact: Leif Erikson Lodge Scholarship Committee, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle, WA 98107. Phone (206) 783-1274 or e-mail leiferiksonlodge@qwest.net
The Youth Leadership Award
The Youth Leadership Award is given to two young people who plan on attending an institution of higher learning or trade school. The applicants must be members of the Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001 or Sons of Norway, or be closely related to a member of one of these two organizations. The applicant must be of good academic standing, and he or she cannot have received this award before. It is also required that the applicant is a US citizen between 18 and 22 years old. The candidates are judged by their academic performance and evidence of ability to succeed as well as a willingness to represent the organization at various events. The award is similar to the Youth Camp Instructor/Counselor Grant in that the applicant must write an essay about his accomplishments so far and his educational and career goals. He must also describe his relationship with the Leif Erikson Lodge. A special application form must also be filled out and submitted to the organization.
Who may apply: US citizens
Amount: $1,000
Level: 18 – 22 years old
Application deadline: April 15
Contact: Leif Erikson Lodge Scholarship Committee, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle, WA 98107. Phone (206) 783-1274 or e-mail leiferiksonlodge@qwest.net
The Camp Normanna/Camp Nidaros Scholarship Award
The Camp Normanna or the Camp Nidaros Scholarship Award is a scholarship that covers 25% of the tuition at a summer camp organized by the Sons of Norway. Camp Normanna is located in Everett, Washington, and Camp Nidaros is by Seaside, Oregon. The applicant has to be between 9 and 13 years old, and must be accepted at one of the camps prior to applying for the scholarship. The applicant must also write a short 50-100 word essay about his interest in the Scandinavian countries.
Who may apply: US citizens
Amount: 25% of the tuition
Level: 9 – 13 years old
Application deadline: April 15
Contact: Leif Erikson Lodge Scholarship Committee, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle, WA 98107. Phone (206) 783-1274 or e-mail leiferiksonlodge@qwest.net
The Camp Trollhaugen Scholarship Award
The Camp Trollhaugen Scholarship Award is awarded by the District 2 of Sons of Norway and like the Camp Normanna/Camp Nidaros Scholarship Award it is a scholarship that covers one quarter of the expenses at a Norwegian-American youth camp. The applicant must be connected or related to a member of good standing in the Leif Erikson Lodge 2-001, Sons of Norway, and the applicant must be between 13 and 15 years old. The applicant must be accepted at the camp before he or she applies for the award, and a short essay of 50-100 words about why the applicant has an interest in Scandinavia must be sent to the Sons of Norway.
Who may apply: US citizens
Amount: 25% of the tuition
Level: 13 – 15 years old
Application deadline: April 15
Contact: Leif Erikson Lodge Scholarship Committee, 2245 NW 57th St., Seattle, WA 98107. Phone (206) 783-1274 or e-mail leiferiksonlodge@qwest.net