Norway University of Agder Scholarships of NOK 15,000 Open for Students
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 offering five grants worth NOK 15,000 each for the 2026–2027 academic year. Unlike many research awards tied to specific disciplines, this initiative is open across all fields of study, provided students incorporate questions of equality, diversity, or inclusion into their research.
The University of Agder Master’s Student Scholarship 2027 is designed for students enrolled in master’s programmes at the University of Agder (UiA) who are 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 funding is administered through the Centre for Gender and Equality at the University of Agder. Rather than restricting applicants to social sciences or gender studies, the centre has adopted 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 a 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, reflecting 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.
The funding is distributed in two stages. Half of the grant is released once the student formally begins thesis work with an approved supervisor. The remaining amount is paid after successful submission and approval of the master’s thesis.
In addition to financial support, recipients gain access to academic development opportunities, including dedicated writing seminars scheduled during 2027. These sessions allow participants to receive feedback, exchange ideas, and discuss challenges with fellow grant holders and academic staff.
It is important to note that the award is not a tuition scholarship and 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 is limited to students admitted to a master’s degree programme at the University of Agder. Applicants must be planning to submit their thesis during the 2026–2027 academic year and demonstrate how their 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 been specifically reserved for research addressing gender and sexual diversity.
Because the programme welcomes applications from all academic disciplines, students do not need to be enrolled in gender studies programmes to be competitive candidates.
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 because it focuses on the quality and relevance of a master’s thesis proposal rather than requiring extensive research publications or international experience. Nevertheless, only five grants will be awarded, making strong project design and a clear equality perspective critical for success.
Application Process and Key Deadline
Applicants must submit a short application introducing themselves, outlining their master’s programme, explaining their thesis topic, and describing how equality perspectives are integrated into the research. A project outline of up to three pages is also required, covering the research question, theoretical framework, methodology, and project timeline.
Students must additionally provide proof of admission to a master’s programme at UiA. The name of the thesis supervisor may be submitted later if not yet confirmed.
The last date to apply for the University of Agder Master’s Student Scholarship 2027 is 1 October 2026.
With only five awards available and a growing emphasis on diversity-related research across European higher education, applicants who can demonstrate both academic quality and a meaningful equality perspective are likely to stand out in this year’s competition.