The Icelandic Government Scholarship supports international students taking the BA Programme in Icelandic as a Second Language at the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. It is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education and administered by the Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies, and it supports around 12 students each year. The programme blends practical Icelandic language training, covering modern Icelandic, morphology, syntax, and phonetics, with the study of medieval and modern Icelandic literature, Icelandic history from settlement to the present, and translation. The award covers full tuition and registration fees, a monthly stipend for room and board from September through April, and the option of accommodation at the Gamli Garður student dormitory, with support available for up to 3 academic years subject to annual reapplication. Eligibility is limited to citizens of a fixed list of around 27 countries, with United States applicants applying only through the Fulbright Program. Applicants must have completed at least 1 year of university study in the humanities and hold basic Icelandic, and those under 35 are prioritised. The 2026 intake deadline is 1 December 2025 (postmark date), results follow in January 2026, and the online proficiency exam is held in June 2026. Because stipend amounts and the country list can change, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and conditions on the official Árni Magnússon Institute page before you apply.
Applications are submitted by post (except for US applicants, who apply through Fulbright); email submissions are not accepted.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to complete the free Icelandic Online 1 and 2 self-study courses before applying, as this strengthens eligibility and prepares them for the June admission exam.
Austria, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Hungary, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States (via Fulbright Program only)
A selection committee reviews each posted application on the candidate's humanities background, existing Icelandic and English proficiency, and academic references. Decisions are released in January 2026, and the university admission deadline of 15 February 2026 follows, with successful applicants sitting the online Icelandic proficiency exam in June 2026 before starting the BA Programme.
The Árni Magnússon Institute for Icelandic Studies is the national research institute for Icelandic language, literature, and manuscripts, working in partnership with the University of Iceland in Reykjavík. On behalf of the Ministry of Culture, Innovation, and Higher Education, it administers the Icelandic Government Scholarship for international students of Icelandic.
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Citizens of the listed eligible countries who have completed at least one year of humanities study; US applicants must apply through the Fulbright Program.
The deadline is around 1 December 2025 (est.), based on the postmark date. Confirm the exact date on the official page.
It supports a Bachelor's degree, the BA Programme in Icelandic as a Second Language at the University of Iceland.
Yes. It covers tuition and registration fees, provides a monthly stipend for room and board, and offers dormitory accommodation.
Yes. Applicants need basic Icelandic equivalent to the Icelandic Online 1 and 2 courses, or equivalent knowledge.
A CV, certified transcripts and diplomas, two academic recommendation letters, an English proficiency certificate, and a passport copy.
No. Applications must be submitted by post, except for US applicants applying through Fulbright.
There is no strict age limit, but applicants under 35 are given preference.
It supports study for up to three academic years, with reapplication required each year.
Scholarship results are announced in around January 2026 (est.).
Around 12 students are supported annually.
Yes. Selected applicants take an online Icelandic proficiency exam in June 2026 before enrolling.