Fulbright Grants for Scholars
A grant from Fulbright Denmark is not just a bag of money, but a commitment to the academic exchange between the U.S. and Denmark. A Fulbright Denmark grant is also recognized as a mark of distinction. Those receiving this grant have been evaluated both in the U.S. and Denmark not only on their academic, professional, and personal achievements but also on their potential to build upon these to become leaders in their fields. A Fulbright grant fosters lifelong connections across the worldwide elite Fulbright community.
Available Grants
Visiting scholars
Offered to Danish scholars employed as assistant professor, associate professor or professor at a higher educational institution in Denmark.
Postdoc visiting scholars
Offered to postdoc scholars with a Danish citizenship. For this grant, it is not a requirement to be employed at a higher educational institution in Denmark, but the applicant must be residing in Denmark due to the Danish-American identity of the grant. This grant is available for postdoc scholars wishing to advance their career and experience unique networking opportunities through the Fulbright program. However, grantees must return to Denmark after their Fulbright program ends. Therefore, this grant cannot be used for plans of establishing a career in the U.S. during the grant period.
How
Fulbright Denmark grants for scholars can only be applied for the following academic year.
Applicants will apply online using a global application portal through the U.S. Institute of International Education (IIE). The application link can be found by clicking the ‘apply’ button in the box on the right side of this page, when the competition is open.
Application decisions will be made in spring – Grants will be awarded before departure.
Academic year
2025/2026
(Fall 2025 and/or Spring 2026)
Amount
DKK 200,000
Deadline
The deadline is Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 12:00 (noon) for the Fall semester 2025 and Spring semester 2026.
Who can apply
Danish scholars (see eligibility below)
About Fulbright Denmark grants
Fulbright Denmark grants for scholars are awarded to the most talented scholars who demonstrate outstanding academic performance and will actively contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding as cultural ambassadors of Denmark.
If you are awarded a Fulbright grant, we will help and advise you through the entire process. In addition, you will be invited to a Pre-departure meeting in June where you receive practical advice and meet other future Fulbrighters.
Eligibility
General
- Grants are for one or two semesters (min. four and max. ten months)
- Grants are awarded to a self-planned research and teaching stay at a U.S. university (there needs to be both a research and teaching component)
- You need to employed as an assistant professor, associate professor or professor at a higher educational institution in Denmark, however postdoc scholars do not need to be employed
- Grants are awarded to all academic fields
- You must master a high level of English proficiency
- Applicants must have Danish citizenship (permanent residence is not sufficient)
- The grant will not be awarded to dependents
You cannot apply if
- You have dual U.S./Danish citizenship or an American ‘Green card’
- You have already commenced your research/teaching in the U.S.
- You are going to the U.S. before August
- You want to go on a conference, summer school, group travel etc.
- Please contact us, if you have lived or studied in the U.S. and think it might affect your chances of applying
Visa - Fulbright grantees
All scholarship recipients will receive a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. The scholarships consist of funds from the Danish and American governments and all Fulbright scholarship recipients will therefore have to comply with a “Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement” when their time in the U.S. is over.
It is thus NOT possible to obtain certain types of visas for work and immigration before the two-year period is over. However, one can easily travel back to the U.S. on conference and tourist trips. Similarly, one can apply for a visa for employment with the international intergovernmental organizations (UN, World Bank etc.) located in the United States.
Read more about visas for the US and “Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement” here.
Insurance
In order to receive a Fulbright Scholarship, scholarship recipients are required to have adequate insurance coverage. A Fulbright scholarship recipient will automatically receive a so-called Accident and Sickness Program for Exchanges (ASPE) coverage. This coverage is minimal, therefore the scholarship recipient need to secure a Danish insurance that can cover, e.g. liability insurance and repatriation; it is also acceptable to take out an American insurance if the coverage is equal to a Danish insurance.
Finances
Going on exchange requires thorough financial preparation, and we recommend that you read our financial advice here.
You will most likely need extra funding to finance your studies in the United States, so it is imperative that you either have substantial savings or apply for other stipends on top of the Fulbright grant as early as possible. Another advice is to make a strategic choice of the geographic location of your host institution. This can help keeping the cost of living at a reasonable level.
"A Fulbright grant is an amazing opportunity, and the program will support you throughout your time in the US which means you can focus on the new culture and the academic purpose of your stay."
— DK Fulbright Scholar 2020/2021