Scholarships in Iceland

16 November 2021

Iceland is one of the most attractive countries in Europe to study abroad. The quality of life is excellent, the education is excellent, and it is affordable. Iceland has seven universities, most of which receive state funding. In this post, we have listed some of the best Iceland scholarships for International Students at the University of Iceland with details.

University of Iceland PhD and Academic Vacancies

Iceland Scholarship for International Students

Scholarships are always available for international students who want to study in Iceland. In addition to covering living expenses, Iceland scholarships can also cover tuition fees. For international students, the University of Iceland offers a variety of scholarships with varying criteria and durations. Here you can find out some of the best Iceland scholarships for international students at the University of Iceland:

Title: The UI doctoral grants fund (Iceland Scholarship for International Students)

Summary:

The UI doctoral grants fund is a collection of funds (The Doctoral Grants of The University of Iceland Research Fund, The Eimskip University fund and other relevant funds) that are specifically intended to support promising students in their doctoral studies at the University of Iceland and with that strenghtening the university as an international research institution and to stimulate research-based postgraduate studies.

The Board of the University of Iceland Research Funds handles the allocation of the fund. The grant amount is 425.000kr. per month (as of the 2019 allocation). 

Requirements:

  • Students enrolled in th PhD progremme at the UI can apply for a grant. 
  • Tenured teachers and specialists can also apply for a grant for prospective PhD student

Procedures for doctoral grants:

Grants are awarded for one, two or three years and are paid monthly in advance.

The sum of a grant is ISK 425.000 per month (2019).

A payment contract is made with the University of Iceland Division of Science and Innovation on the one hand, and between the supervisor and the student on the other.

Arrangment of the grants:

  • Grants from the University of Iceland Eimskip Fund are paid from Landsbankinn, it is possible to transfer the grant recipient account or to a research account at the University of Iceland
  • Grants from the University of Iceland Research Fund are transferred directly into the School / Institute research account.
  • If grants are transferred to a research account an emplpyment contract is made between the student in question and School / Institute administration, thus the grant being paid in the form of salary.

The general requirements for a doctoral grant are as follows:

  • The student must be properly registered in a doctoral programme and register every year.
  • The student must be studying full-time (although it is permissible to perform sessional teaching for part of the time covered by the grant, up to a maximum of 20% employment).
  • The student must submit an annual progress report to the board of the fund in question (by 15 January each year). This also applies to those grant recipients who no longer receive monthly payments from the funds, but rather only the last one.
  • The last monthly payment is withheld until after the doctoral defence. It shall be paid when the Division of Science and Innovation receives a copy of the thesis.

Learn More and Apply.

Title: The University of Iceland Research Fund (Iceland Scholarship for International Students)

Summary:

The aim of the University of Iceland Research Fund is to strengthen research within the University. 

The board of the fund consists of the chairpersons of five separate evaluation panels, one for each School within the University.

The board chair is nominated by the University President and appointed by the University Council.

  • Grantees who have an active 2-3 year grant from last allocations are expected not to apply for a new grant until towards the end of their current grant period.
  • A successful application for a multi-year grant will be allocated a grant for the number of years applied for.
  • Annual progress reports are no longer required but a final report on any previous grant must be submitted along with a new grant application.

Learn More and Apply.

Title: The UI’s Research Fund – Travel Grants

Summary:

The travel grants are intended to assist recipients with travel costs regarding conferences abroad. The applicant is expected to have a presentation or other academic contribution at the conference he/she applies for.

It is also possible to apply for travel costs regarding courses or summer schools abroad. However, the general premise for the grant allocation is that applications due to courses or summer schools come secondary to applications due to conferences. In other words, academic participation in a conference (presentation, poster or other academic contribution) is a key element of prioritization for the grant allocation.

Value: The amount of the grant is 100.000 ISK for the calendar year 2021.

Deadline: March each year

Requirements:

  • The student must be registered in a PhD program at the University of Iceland
  • The student must register for the annual course registration (in March each year).
  • A student applying for a conference abroad must have a contribution (poster, presentation or other academic contribution).
  • A student applying for a course or summer school registration abroad must explain how his participation benefits his doctoral studies.
  • University of Iceland staff members registered to PhD studies within the university are not eligible for these grants.
  • Students who have drawn over in their PhD studies for more than one year are not eligible for applying for the travel grant. The lenght of UoI PhD programs ranges between 3-4 years, depending on various faculty rules.
  • Those who have received a travel grant from the Research Fund three times can not expect to receive further travel funding from the fund.
  • Students who are in their 2nd, 3rd or 4th year of their PhD studies (depending on faculty rules) are to be prioritized for the travel grants.
  • An academic participation in a conference (presentation, poster or other academic contribution) is a key element of prioritization for the grant allocation. The quality of the conference and the nature of the student‘s contribution goes in with the prioritization of the grant allocation.
  • The general premise for grant allocation is that applications due to courses or summer schools come secondary to applications due to conferences, and that the former mentioned are dependant on if the fund has enough financial flexibility to allocate in that regard. In that case, particular attention wil be given to the quality of the institute in question and the applicant‘s description on how the participation will benefit his/her doctoral studies. 

More Details and Apply.

Title: University of Iceland Post-doc grants

Summary:

The University of Iceland announces up to 7 postdoctoral jobs, awarded for up to three years. The grants are intended for researchers who have completed their PhD in the last seven years including those who will graduate before July 1st 2022. Time spent on sick leave or parental leave is considered regarding the period since completing the PhD. 
A special allocation committee appointed by rector will be responsible for evaluating and ranking applications and awarding the grants. Evaluation of applications shall be based first and foremost on the applicant’s research proposal and research output, with consideration of the time elapsed since completing a PhD. Selection of applicants will also be based on the needs of individual schools. The schools at the University of Iceland are the School of Social Sciences, School of Health Sciences, School of Humanities, School of Education and School of Engineering and Natural Sciences.

Requirements:

The University of Iceland post-doc grants are intended for researchers who have received their PhD within the last seven years.

Duration: Grants are awarded for up to three years. 

Deadline: December

More Details and Apply.

Title: University of Iceland Equipment Purchasing Fund

Summary:

The Committee for equipment acquisition allocates grants from the specialised equipment acquisition fund on the bases of applications from lecturers and research specialists that have been prioritised by the Schools’ Science Committees. Eligible are academic staff who have been hired on the basis of a qualifications assessment (assistant professor, associate professor, full professors, research specialist, research scholar and research scientist).

Allocation application process:
Applicants apply centrally (see above). The School of Science and Innovation is responsible for placing applications in the schools’ priorities. The Board of Directors of Equipment Purchasing Fund allocates on the basis of the priorities in February.
 
Grant processing:
According to decisions of the University Council are instruments purchased for a grant from the fund owned by the University of Iceland. If a grant is received from the Equipment Purchase Fund, a special project number is established in the University’s accounting for the grant and this is specified in the allocation letter. The purchasing manager should be consulted and given his approval for the order.

More Details and Apply.

Scholarship opportunities in countries like the US, UK, and Canada are constantly increasing. For those who want to study abroad and receive financial assistance, this is where they can find information on all available scholarships:

Scholarships and Awards in Europe:

Scholarships and Awards in Canada and USA:

Scholarships and Awards in Australia:

Scholarships and Awards in the UK:

Others:

Would you like to know the salary amount of PhD and postdoc positions in Europe? 

Fastepo Team will update all different types of academic positions (the latest ones). Moreover, please make sure to follow our page on Facebook so as not to miss any new vacancies. But if you are not a fan of reading text, you can join our PhD and Postdoc related videos on our Youtube Channel.