StudyDesk Scholarships
About the programme
The Swedish Fulbright Commission offers grants to Swedish researchers and lecturers for research or teaching stays at universities and research centres in the United States. The 2027-28 competition is open now, with applications closing on 11 January 2027.
A note on the funding, stated plainly: this is not a fully funded scholarship. The Commission grants a fixed SEK 50,000 award plus a SEK 15,000 travel allowance, with SEVIS/J-1 visa fees and accident-and-sickness insurance covered. It is a generous partial package that does not cover all living costs in the US, so plan your finances accordingly.
Eligibility
- Swedish citizenship required — holders of dual U.S.-Swedish citizenship are not eligible.
- Proficiency in English.
- An established affiliation with an American university or research centre — this is a formal requirement, not a nice-to-have.
- Doctoral or other terminal degree completed by the time of departure.
- Not already conducting research at a U.S. institution at the time of application.
Benefits
- SEK 50,000 grant award for the research or lecturing stay.
- SEK 15,000 one-time travel allowance.
- All SEVIS and J-1 visa fees covered, with personal assistance in the visa process.
- Accident and sickness insurance for the grantee.
- Stay of 3 to 12 months, with J-1 visa sponsorship possible up to twelve months.
Documents required
- Completed online application (select “Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program”).
- Project proposal of up to 5 pages.
- Updated CV.
- Proof of affiliation with the U.S. host university or research centre.
- Three letters of recommendation.
How to apply
- Secure the affiliationArrange an affiliation with a U.S. university or research centre before applying — applications without one are not complete.
- Register on the portalThe Fulbright Commission’s online application for the 2027-28 cycle runs 15 August 2026 – 11 January 2027.
- Complete every sectionFill in personal details, the project proposal and host-institution information, and upload the CV, proposal, affiliation proof and three recommendation letters.
- Submit on timeSubmit before 11 January 2027; late applications are not accepted.
- Await selectionSelection and notification take place in March 2027, with visa processing and departure in July–August 2027.
FAQs
No. The commission grants SEK 50,000 plus a SEK 15,000 travel allowance, visa fees and insurance — a generous partial package, but it does not cover all living costs in the U.S.
No. Holders of dual U.S.-Swedish citizenship are explicitly ineligible.
A minimum of three months, with J-1 visa sponsorship possible up to twelve months.
Yes. An established affiliation with an American university or research centre is a formal requirement.
The programme covers recent PhD holders up to full professors — researchers and lecturers at any seniority with a doctoral or terminal degree.
Verified 22 Oct 2026 via the official fulbright.se Scholar Program page (real programme name, 2027-28 timeline 15 Aug 2026 – 11 Jan 2027, exact grant figures, visa/insurance coverage, March 2027 notification, July–August 2027 departure) + Umeå University funding-call pages independently confirming the same amounts and structure + agreeing aggregators on the document set. Important correction vs the stale queue title: this is NOT fully funded — the article states the fixed SEK 50,000 + SEK 15,000 grant package explicitly, and Swedish citizenship (no dual U.S. citizens) is a hard requirement.
