Introduction
The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF) supports educational, cultural and professional exchange between the United States and Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.
An American nonprofit organisation headquartered at Scandinavia House, ASF combines fellowships, research grants, cultural programming, publishing and internship sponsorship. Its philanthropic activities connect individuals and institutions across the Atlantic, supporting both specialist work and public understanding of Nordic culture.
History and Background
ASF’s origins are associated with Danish-American industrialist Niels Poulson and other supporters of international educational exchange. The foundation was incorporated in 1911, and its fellowship and grant programme began in 1912.
A major institutional milestone came in October 2000, when ASF opened Scandinavia House as a centre for Nordic cultural and educational activities. Its development received support from more than 300 donors, including individuals, corporations, foundations, Nordic governments and the Nordic Council of Ministers.
The foundation celebrated its centennial through exhibitions and public programmes exploring Nordic art, design and ideas.
Mission and Purpose
ASF’s mission is to promote educational, cultural and professional exchange between the United States and the five Nordic countries. Its activities encourage direct engagement with ideas, scholarship and creative practice across these regions.
This purpose extends beyond academic mobility. Public project grants help bring American and Nordic culture, art and thought to wider audiences, connecting international exchange with public education and cultural participation.
Governance and Structure
ASF is a publicly supported 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation governed by a Board of Trustees drawn from the United States and Scandinavia. The five Nordic heads of state serve as its patrons.
Its published leadership identifies Dr Terje Lande as Chair. The foundation also states that an independent firm audits its financial statements annually and that its tax return is publicly available.
Caroline “Charlie” Kunzer became President and Chief Executive Officer in July 2026, following her election by the Board of Trustees in May. She previously served as an ASF trustee and brought experience in nonprofit leadership and fundraising.
Funding and Grants
Funding Sources
ASF raises money from individual donors, corporations, foundations and, occasionally, governmental sources. Its donor relations policy addresses recognition, privacy and respect for donor intent.
Supporters can also contribute through charitable bequests. These gifts help sustain future educational and cultural exchange activities. Named endowment funds provide another funding mechanism for fellowships and grants.
Fellowships for Americans
ASF offers year-long fellowships of up to US$23,000 and short-term fellowships of up to US$5,000 for projects lasting one to three months in the Nordic region.
Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents and must have completed undergraduate education before their project begins. Priority goes to graduate-level dissertation research, although awards span academic disciplines and creative fields. The programme page lists 1 November as its application deadline.
Study and Research in the United States
ASF also supports Scandinavian applicants undertaking graduate or postgraduate study and research in the United States. Application routes, award amounts and deadlines vary by country, with cooperating organisations handling applications from several Nordic countries.
Major Programs and Initiatives
Public Project Grants
Public project grants support programmes that introduce audiences to American and Nordic cultural expression. ASF considers lasting benefits and favours projects where its contribution complements other funding. Applicants should consult the relevant round’s guidelines for its geographical and thematic restrictions.
Nordic Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions
This programme supports living Nordic traditions in North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
It offers fellowships for artists and traditional practitioners, alongside grants for public programmes and community projects. Activities can include workshops, performances, festivals and demonstrations. Public programme applicants must be nonprofit 501(c)(3) organisations.
Cultural Programming and Publications
Scandinavia House presents exhibitions, films, concerts, lectures, language courses and children’s activities. ASF also publishes Scandinavian Review, newsletters and annual reports, extending its educational work beyond in-person exchange.
Impact and Examples of Work Funded
ASF’s 2026–2027 American Fellows demonstrate the breadth of its research funding. Supported projects include Caroline Anscombe’s investigation of permafrost thaw and stream gas emissions at Aarhus University, and Amara Qureshi’s research on forest bacteria at Finland’s Natural Resources Institute.
Other fellowships support creative practice, history, engineering and public health. These are funded research and creative projects; the award announcement does not establish completed findings.
The 2025–2026 Folk Arts and Cultural Traditions programme announced awards to 15 individuals and 10 organisations. Projects included Scandinavian bandweaving, traditional shoemaking, woodworking and Finnish music, illustrating support for skills transmission and community cultural participation.
Conclusion
The American-Scandinavian Foundation connects philanthropy with international learning, research and cultural participation. Its combination of individual fellowships, institutional grants and public programming provides several routes for strengthening relationships between the United States and the Nordic region.
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