Grant scheme for studies in the High North extended

“I am pleased that we have now extended the grant scheme for studies in the High North to include students from Japan and South Korea in the 2013–16 period,” commented Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide. Students from Canada, Russia and the US have been included from before.    

The grant scheme for studies in the High North is an important part of the Government’s High North effort. Around 260 people studied in Norway under the scheme during its first five-years. The natural sciences, including environmental science, and technology are the most popular subjects, but students also come to study other subjects, such as law, indigenous peoples studies and linguistics. The scheme also promotes cooperation between important institutions in the High North. 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has decided to continue the scheme for a new period, 2013–2016, and to extend it to include certain countries in Asia that are interested in the High North.

Andrea Bozman from Vancouver Island University, Canada, is one of the many exchange students who came to Norway under the scheme. This experience gave her a taste for more, and she decided to return to Norway after completing her studies at Bodø University College (now the University of Nordland).

“In Canada, I studied fisheries and aquaculture, an area where Norway is a world leader. Bodø University College was an obvious choice as North Norway is one of the most productive cold water regions in the world. When I decided to shift focus to marine ecology, Bodø was once again a natural choice as it offers just the courses and research opportunities I need,” said Ms Bozman, who is now taking a doctorate at the University of Nordland.

The objective of the grant scheme for studies in the High North is to boost the generation of knowledge and cross-national cooperation in the region. It also aims to increase contact between educational institutions in Norway and the other countries involved. Grants are provided to students from Canada, Russia and the US for studies at higher education institutions in North Norway and to administrative employees at Norwegian institutions for exchanges with cooperating institutions in the other countries. Seven North Norwegian institutions are taking part in the programme. The total economic frame for the new programme period (2013–2016) is NOK 15 million.