Norway University of Agder Scholarships 2026/2027

Posted 2026-06-12 10:00:10

Norway University of Agder Scholarships 2026/2027

For master’s students looking to turn their dissertation into something that creates academic impact beyond the classroom, the University of Agder in Norway has opened applications for a limited funding scheme. The university offers five grants worth NOK 15,000 each for the 2026–2027 academic year. Unlike many research awards tied to specific disciplines, this initiative opens itself across all fields of study. Students must incorporate questions of equality, diversity, or inclusion into their research.

The University of Agder Master’s Student Scholarship 2027 targets students enrolled in master’s programmes at the University of Agder (UiA). These students must be preparing a thesis for submission during the 2026–2027 academic year. The award provides a NOK 15,000 research grant and additional academic support through writing seminars and mentoring opportunities. Students from any academic discipline can apply if equality related perspectives form a meaningful part of their thesis analysis.

A Research Grant Built Around Equality and Inclusion

The Centre for Gender and Equality at the University of Agder administers this funding. Rather than restricting applicants to social sciences or gender studies, the centre adopts a broad approach that allows students from virtually any academic field to participate.

According to programme organisers, equality does not need to be the central subject of your dissertation. However, it must serve as a significant analytical perspective within the research. This approach opens opportunities for students in education, health sciences, engineering, business, law, humanities, technology, and other disciplines to integrate diversity and inclusion dimensions into their academic work.

Projects connected to the Agder region will receive priority consideration. This reflects the university’s ambition to encourage locally relevant research while generating wider societal insights.

What the Scholarship Covers

The University of Agder Master’s Equality Grant provides a direct financial award of NOK 15,000 for each selected student. Here is how the funding distributes itself:

First Half Release: The student receives half the grant once they formally begin thesis work with an approved supervisor
Second Half Payment: The remaining amount releases after successful submission and approval of the master’s thesis

In addition to financial support, recipients gain access to academic development opportunities. These include dedicated writing seminars scheduled during 2027. The sessions allow participants to receive feedback, exchange ideas, and discuss challenges with fellow grant holders and academic staff.

The award is not a tuition scholarship. It does not cover accommodation, travel costs, insurance, or living expenses. Instead, it functions as targeted research support for master’s thesis projects.

Who Can Apply and Which Topics Are Eligible

Eligibility limits itself to students admitted to a master’s degree programme at the University of Agder. You must be planning to submit your thesis during the 2026–2027 academic year. You must also demonstrate how your project engages with questions of equality, diversity, inclusion, or discrimination.

The Centre for Gender and Equality recognises a wide range of equality related themes. These include issues connected to gender, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, pregnancy, parental leave, and caregiving responsibilities. One of the five grants has specifically reserved itself for research addressing gender and sexual diversity.

Because the programme welcomes applications from all academic disciplines, you do not need to be enrolled in gender studies programmes to be a competitive candidate.

Why the Programme Matters

The University of Agder has steadily expanded its profile in interdisciplinary research and social innovation within Norway. This grant reflects a growing trend among European universities to encourage students to integrate societal challenges into academic research regardless of disciplinary boundaries.

The award is relatively accessible compared with major international scholarships. It focuses on the quality and relevance of your master’s thesis proposal rather than requiring extensive research publications or international experience. Nevertheless, only five grants receive awards, making strong project design and a clear equality perspective critical for success.

How to Apply

Click Here to Apply

Application Process and Key Deadline

You must submit a short application introducing yourself. Outline your master’s programme. Explain your thesis topic. Describe how equality perspectives integrate into your research. Moreover, you also need a project outline of up to three pages covering the research question, theoretical framework, methodology, and project timeline.

You must additionally provide proof of admission to a master’s programme at UiA. You may submit the name of your thesis supervisor later if not yet confirmed.

The last date to apply for the University of Agder Master’s Student Scholarship 2027 is 1 October 2026.

Only five awards are available. A growing emphasis on diversity related research continues across European higher education. Applicants who can demonstrate both academic quality and a meaningful equality perspective will stand out in this year’s competition. Visit the University of Agder Centre for Gender and Equality website today, review the full scholarship details, and prepare your application before the October deadline. Your NOK 15,000 research grant in Norway awaits.