Fulbright Specialist Program
A program designed to provide Swedish academic institutions with the opportunity to invite U.S. faculty and professionals to Sweden for a short-term visit (14-42 days)
The Fulbright Specialist program provides U.S. faculty and professionals opportunities to collaborate with their counterparts at Swedish post-secondary academic institutions on curriculum and faculty development, institutional planning, and a variety of other activities. Such activities may include:
⚬ Delivering a seminar, lecture series or workshop
⚬ Consulting on faculty or workforce development
⚬ Developing academic or training curricula
⚬ Lecturing at the graduate or undergraduate
⚬ Conducting needs assessments or evaluations
For Swedish Institutions:
Before completing an application, Swedish host institutions are encouraged to contact the Fulbright Commission at least three (3) months prior to the intended project start date to ensure funding is available. Applications are first submitted to World Learning, who then forwards them to the Fulbright Commission for approval. Please see the application instructions and links below, as well as this introductory video and an outline of expected host institution contributions. For information concerning the Specialist Roster, please contact the Commission directly.
For U.S. qualified candidates:
As this program is based on the need of institutions of higher education in Sweden, candidates on the Specialist Roster are encouraged to reach out independently to Swedish organizations and institutions of higher education to make their interests known. The Fulbright Commission can not recommend institutions.
The Swedish host institution then applies to the Fulbright Commission to invite the Specialist. Dates and timing of the visit need to be discussed before submitting the proposal and included in the institution's application.
This program is administered by World Learning with funding from the U.S. Department of State (ECA). The number of Specialists that can be accepted ls currently limited to five (5) for Sweden. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Applicants who have previously participated in a Fulbright exchange are eligible to participate in the Fulbright Specialist Program, however preference will be given to candidates who have not previously received a Fulbright grant or had significant overseas experience.
More information for both U.S. applicants and Swedish host institutions can be found at the World Learning website, and the FAQ page for U.S. Specialists.
Requirements
To apply as a Swedish Host Institution:
Host institutions are expected to provide cost-sharing to the U.S. Specialist, including meals, lodging and in-country travel if required, either through monetary or in-kind contributions during the Specialist's full stay in-country. Click below for further information.
To apply as a U.S. Specialist:
All applicants for the Fulbright Specialist Roster must be U.S. citizens. Non-U.S. citizens who have legal permanent residency status in the United States are not eligible for Fulbright grants
Applicants must have significant experience in their respective field, as demonstrated by professional, academic, or artistic achievements
Established contact/affiliation with a Swedish university or research center.
Applicant must be able to travel overseas for 14 to 42 days (length will vary depending on the project)
The Fulbright Specialist Program
For Swedish Host Institutions:
Interested host institutions should first contact the Swedish Commission to ensure the allocated number of projects for Sweden has not been met (currently five annually). Once this is confirmed, the host institution may begin the online World Learning application (link below)
There is a rolling application deadline for this program, but please note that we must receive an application at least three months before the planned start date of the project.
The Fulbright Specialist Program is a scholarship scheme that was established in 2001 and is currently administered through World Learning with funds from the U.S. Department of State (ECA).
The program mediates visits by American specialists (American citizenship is required) to foreign host institutions for shorter guest stays (2-6 weeks). Host institutions are not only higher education institutions, but also museums, public institutions and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The scholarship is not intended for pure research stays, but aims to foster the exchange of ideas and cooperation on the development of the curriculum, learning environment and institutional planning within more than 24 disciplines. It is also envisaged that the specialist can hold a series of guest lectures or assist with other types of expertise, depending on the host institution's wishes and interests.
The host institution here in Sweden only provides board, lodging and any travel expenses within Sweden for the specialist, while World Learning covers travel to/from the USA and a daily per diem (USD 200) for that person. Most host institutions in Sweden that have applied for a Fulbright Specialist have applied for a specific person they want to visit their institution. Note that the person concerned must be listed in the Fulbright Specialist database. For more information about the database, or how to get status as a Fulbright Specialist, please contact the Commission.