Summer Scholarships in Norway

for UW-Madison students

Each summer, the BVO sends UW-Madison students on scholarship to the International Summer School (ISS) in Oslo, Norway.

All scholarships are designed to cover housing, tuition/program fees, roundtrip flights to Scandinavia, insurance, and a generous living and travel stipend. Scholars travel together around the Nordic countries to visit Viking alumni and celebrate cultural holidays.

All our scholars become lifelong members of our alumni network consisting of around 500 scholarship recipients from the last seven decades. Our alumni serve as a valuable support system for our scholars while they are abroad and can provide connections for academic and professional opportunities during and after the scholarship period has ended. The people you meet might become your lifelong friends, and the social, academic, and professional contacts you gain make the Brittingham Viking Organization unique.

The International Summer School

The International Summer School at the University of Oslo has been hosting bright students from all over the world since 1947. The program includes housing and a meal plan along with a series of excursions and is a valuable academic experience no matter your major. Available classes at ISS cover broad topics such as international politics, social change, and human rights. Visit the ISS website to learn more about course offerings.

ISS is available to 2025-26 sophomores, juniors, seniors, and graduate students with at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Accepted Viking scholars will also need to apply for the ISS program through UW-Madison's Study Abroad office; applications typically close in February of the scholarship year.

Important Notes

Scholarship funds are given as a lump sum upon arrival in Scandinavia to assist with airfare to the Scandinavian countries, tuition, room, board, and travel expenses throughout the region. Scholars may be asked to pay some costs prior to arriving in Scandinavia but will be able to reimburse themselves after receiving scholarship funds. Scholars assume responsibility for additional miscellaneous study abroad expenses (e.g., entertainment, personal travels, clothing, etc.).

Commitment requires scholar availability from May through August 2026, including a weekend in late August 2026 to attend the annual Brittingham Viking Organization Convention in Scandinavia.

Scholars must be planning to return to the Madison area for one full academic year after scholarship, either to study or for employment. We expect that returning scholars will be involved in welcoming new Scandinavian scholars to Madison in September 2026 and selecting next groups of American BVO scholars in winter 2026 and spring 2027.

Instructions for Applying

Applications are now open! The application process is split into two portions, the first of which only takes a few minutes to complete.

Start Your Application Here

Click here to learn more about our spring semester opportunities.

Any questions about the scholarship or the application should be directed to us.scholarships@brittinghamvikings.org with the email subject “Application Question.” A member of the selection committee will get back to you as soon as possible.

After you have completed the initial application, follow the instructions in the confirmation email or visit this webpage to download the written portion of the application.
Complete the scholarship application thoroughly and with respect to the word limits. Create a single PDF of your written application with the file name FirstnameLastname.pdf (e.g., BuckyBadger.pdf) and submit it here.
The written application must be submitted here by 11:59 p.m. on Friday, November 14, 2025. Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants who are selected for an interview will be notified by 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
Selected applicants must be available for interviews on Sunday, November 23, 2025 (virtual) and Saturday, December 6, 2025 (in person in Madison). Please note that not all applicants will be invited to the second interview.