The Nordic Scholarship Programme is a fully funded research grant offered by the Nordic Africa Institute (NAI), located in Uppsala, Sweden. Established to strengthen Africa-oriented knowledge production and research networks, the scholarship supports scholars and researchers affiliated with institutions in Nordic countries by funding a 1-month research visit to utilize NAI’s world-class library collections and academic facilities.

📊 Scholarship / Opportunity Overview

Category	Details
Host Institution	The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI)
Location	Uppsala, Sweden
Program Type	1-Month Research Fellowship / Study Stay
Coverage Type	Fully Funded (Travel + Housing + Daily Stipend)
Daily Allowance	SEK 450 per day subsistence allowance
Eligible Target Group	Researchers based at Nordic universities (Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Iceland)
Application Opens	Annual Call Open
Final Application Deadline	October 11, 2026 (23:59 CET)
Application Fee	None
Application Mode	Online via NAI Application Portal

📌 About the Scholarship / Opportunity

The Nordic Scholarship Programme grants selected scholars direct access to NAI’s specialized library—one of Europe’s finest collections of literature, government publications, and periodicals on contemporary Africa. Recipients spend 1 month in Uppsala engaging with NAI research hosts, participating in seminars, and advancing their independent academic writing.

🏛️ Eligible Fields of Study

The fellowship focuses strictly on contemporary Africa within the following academic umbrella:

• Social Sciences (e.g., Development Studies, Political Science, International Relations, Sociology, Peace & Conflict Research)
• Humanities (e.g., History, Anthropology, Cultural Studies, Gender Studies)
• UN Agenda 2030 Alignment: Research projects addressing social, economic, or environmental themes relevant to contemporary African contexts.

💰 What Does It Cover?

• ✈️ Travel Expenses: Full round-trip travel coverage (lowest economy rate) from the scholar’s residential address in the Nordic region to Uppsala, Sweden.
• 🏠 Accommodation: Free central lodging/apartment in Uppsala arranged directly by the Institute.
• 💵 Subsistence Allowance: SEK 450 per day to cover meals and daily living expenses during the stay.
• 🏢 Workspace & Facilities: Shared office workspace equipped with a computer, high-speed internet, and printing facilities.
• 📚 Library & Research Access: Full borrowing rights at the NAI Library and access to Uppsala University Library systems.

👤 Who Can Apply?

• Academic Career Stage: Open to Master’s degree students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and mid-career scholars.
• Institutional Affiliation: Applicants must be affiliated with and physically based at a university or research institution in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland (both at application time and during the research stay).
• Nationality: Open to candidates of any nationality/citizenship who meet the Nordic institutional location requirement.

🇳🇬 Can Nigerians Apply?

Yes, provided you are currently enrolled as a Master’s/PhD student or employed as a researcher at a university in Sweden, Finland, Denmark, or Iceland. Nigerian researchers based solely at universities outside the Nordic region are ineligible for this specific Nordic stream (they should look out for the separate NAI African Scholarship Programme instead).

✅ Eligibility Requirements

• Africa-Focused Research: Proposal must center on contemporary Africa within social sciences or humanities.
• Institutional Verification: Official letter confirming current affiliation with an eligible Nordic research institute.
• Library Justification: Clear motivation demonstrating why NAI library collections and researchers in Uppsala are essential to the project.

📅 Important Application Deadlines (2027/2028 Visits)

• Application Window Closes: October 11, 2026
• Selection Decisions: Late November / December 2026
• Research Visits Conducted: Between January and December 2027 (excluding summer/winter closure periods)

📝 How to Apply

Step 1: Prepare Your Research Documents

Draft a detailed 3 to 5-page research proposal and a 1-page work plan tailored specifically to your 1-month stay in Uppsala.

Step 2: Obtain Institutional Support

Secure a signed reference/support letter from your supervisor or head of department at your Nordic home university.

Step 3: Submit Electronic Application

Upload all required documents to the official NAI web application portal before October 11, 2026.

🔗 Official Application Link

🔗 Official Webpage: Nordic Africa Institute Nordic Scholarship Programme

• 📧 Inquiries Email: nai@nai.uu.se
• 📅 Final Deadline: October 11, 2026

Disclaimer: Fellowship guidelines, schedules, and selection processes are set directly by the Nordic Africa Institute. Always verify details on the official NAI we

📄 Documents to Prepare

• Detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) including list of academic publications (if any)
• Research Project Outline (3–5 pages) detailing objectives, methodology, theoretical framework, and relevance
• 1-Page Work Plan specifying exact tasks and library resources to be utilized during the stay in Uppsala
• Signed Letter of Support from current university supervisor or Head of Department

⭐ Why Apply for This Opportunity?

• Focused Writing Environment: Dedicated quiet desk space and living expenses covered for a productive month of writing.
• World-Class Archive Access: Unrivaled access to hard-to-find African government literature, periodicals, and databases.
• Academic Connections: Opportunities to collaborate with NAI senior research experts and Nordic academic networks.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply if I am an international student studying in Sweden/Denmark?

Yes! Citizenship is irrelevant as long as you are registered and based at an accredited institution in Sweden, Denmark, Finland, or Iceland.

Can I split the 1-month stay into multiple visits?

No. The scholarship covers a continuous 1-month research stay in Uppsala.

Is there an application fee?

No, the application process is completely free.

💡 Important Tips for Applicants

• Make sure your 1-page work plan explicitly names NAI library collections or materials to prove why coming to Uppsala is necessary.
• Coordinate early with your supervisor to ensure your letter of support confirms active institutional affiliation.

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Applying without a verified institutional base in a Nordic country.
• Submitting a generic research proposal that does not explain how NAI resources will advance the study.
• Missing the strict submission deadline on October 11. bsite.