The Fulbright Roving Scholars Program was established in 1987, and brings highly skilled American teachers to Norway to teach and lead seminars for both students and teachers. Roving Scholars are expected to be broadly knowledgeable in a variety of fields; their lessons focus on American history and culture, often combined with innovative and inspiring ideas on pedagogy and teaching methods. The Roving Scholar Program is a unique Norwegian Fulbright opportunity that does not exist in other countries.
Each year, The U.S.-Norway Fulbright Foundation offers three awards for Roving scholars to visit lower secondary schools (student ages 14-16) or upper secondary schools (ages 16-18). A two-year pilot program for a regional Rover in Østfold started in 2021-22 and will continue in 2023-24. This Rover serves lower and upper secondary schools and makes contributions to the work of the Norwegian Centre for Foreign Languages in Education and Østfold University College. New for 2023-24 is a trial grant for a Rover to serve primary schools (ages 6-13).
Applicants should have a strong interest in meeting with and teaching teenagers and children, and be versatile, open-minded and able to convey to young Norwegian students different aspects of American society. Applicants should have the ability to present and practice modern teaching methods, provide information of interest to young people about the U.S. and discuss political, historical, educational and social issues. For one alumna’s perspective on Roving, please see Lee Ann Potter’s article published in Social Education.
Roving Scholars are based in Oslo, but travel throughout the country at the Foundation’s expense. The primary Norwegian affiliation is the Norwegian Centre for Foreign Languages in Education. A letter of invitation is not required when applying to be a Roving Scholar.
To highlight the reach and impact of the Roving Scholars program and to promote it more effectively, the US-Norway Fulbright Foundation has been producing annual reports focused exclusively on this unique program. Click here to view Roving Scholar Program annual reports.
The Fulbright Program is sponsored by the United States Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Under a cooperative agreement with the Bureau, the Institute of International Education (IIE) assists in the administration of the Fulbright Scholar Program for faculty and professionals.
The Roving Scholar awards are published in IIE’s annual awards catalogue. You can find more information about the grant and the online application on the IIE Fulbright Scholar Program website.
Application deadline is in September for the following academic year.
Please contact the Fulbright office in Norway, or the Fulbright Scholar Program for more information.