Fulbright Hildeman Fellowship
PROMOTING SCANDINAVIAN STUDIES IN THE U.S.
In 1986, the Swedish Fulbright Commission established the Hildeman Fellowship in commemoration of Mr. Nils-Gustav Hildeman, a prominent Swedish diplomat and former Fulbright Board member, to promote the study of Scandinavian language and area studies in the United States. The primary objectives of the Hildeman Fellowship are to encourage students and faculty in Scandinavian studies, to strengthen contacts between Swedish and American academics, and to increase interest in Sweden and Swedish area studies among American students and scholars in a variety of fields.
Each year, a different U.S. university is selected to host the Fulbright Fellow. For the 2026-27 academic year, North Park University will host the Hildeman Fellow during spring semester, January-May 2027. Fields of specialization and further details regarding the fellowship at North Park University can be found in the Program Announcement.
Fellowship benefits
⚬ Fulbright branding
⚬ Cash grant of SEK 150 000
⚬ Round-trip travel allowance SEK 15 000
⚬ Accident and sickness insurance for fellow
⚬ Coverage of all SEVIS and J-1 visa fees
⚬ Benefits listed in the university announcement
Annual Timeline
September 2025: online application open
January 9, 2026: application deadline
March 2026: notification of applicant status
Academic semester in the U.S.: January 2027
Requirements
Swedish citizenship (dual U.S. and Swedish citizens may NOT apply)
Proficiency in English
Terminal degree (doctoral degree/MFA, or equivalent) by time of departure to the U.S.
Demonstrated university teaching experience
The Fulbright Hildeman Fellowship
As one of the largest and most prestigious international exchange programs in the world today, the Fulbright Program’s main objective is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other nations through the sharing of ideas, knowledge, skills, and individual experiences. Over the past sixty years, the Fulbright Program has provided over 360,000 participants from 160 countries around the world the opportunity to share ideas, promote joint understanding of cultures, and learn about political and economic institutions. Sweden and the U.S. have been participating in the successful exchange of scholars and students since 1952.
Scholars are chosen based on their academic merit and leadership potential. The Fulbright Program expects their grantees to demonstrate outstanding academic performance and actively contribute to the promotion of mutual understanding as unofficial “ambassadors" of their country. The Swedish Fulbright Commission issues grants to outstanding Swedish and American students and scholars who embody the mission of the Fulbright program.
Fellowship length in the U.S. is one academic semester. Preference is given to candidates who have not studied for an extended period of time at a university in the United States. Please click on the announcement for this year's U.S. host university and areas of specialization.
Eligibility Requirements for the Hildeman Fellowship
⚬ Swedish citizenship
⚬ Fluency in English
⚬ Terminal degree (doctoral degree/MFA, or equivalent) by time of departure to the U.S.
⚬ Demonstrated university teaching experience
You are NOT eligible to apply in the following cases:
⚬ No terminal degree or equivalent prior to departure to the U.S.
⚬ Dual citizenship with the U.S., a resident of the U.S., or possess a
"green card"
⚬ Academic activity has already begun in the United States
Fulbright scholars will be issued a U.S. J-1 visa. This visa is arranged by the Fulbright office in Stockholm, in cooperation with IIE in the United States.
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS
Please review prior to filling out the application.
Once you have registered and logged in at the application website (linked below), first select "Fulbright Visiting Scholar Program" as the program name. On the first page of the application, there are general guidelines on navigating the application form. We ask that you please read these in full before proceeding.
After you've completed the Preliminary Questions page, the other pages of the application will become available. On the Country Information page, please select "Fulbright Hildeman Fellowship" under Award Information.
As the host institution is pre-determined for this award, applicants are not required to make their own arrangements for a host affiliation in the U.S. and do not need to submit a letter of invitation. Your Project Statement should address how you plan to fulfill the fellowship activities outlined in the Hildeman Program Announcement during the grant period.
Applications and ALL supplemental documents, including three (3) recommendation letters, must be submitted through the application portal by the deadline date, January 9, 2026. Applications and supplemental documents received after the deadline will not be accepted. Preliminary notification of awards will be made in March.
For questions regarding this program, please contact the Commission at fulbright@fulbright.se / +46 (0)8 525 07 500.