Iceland

Placement Information

• Partner Organization: Fulbright Iceland
• Eligible Program Dates: 3-6 months from January – mid-June 2026 or mid-August – December 2026
• Host Institution Expectations: The University of Iceland School of Education will serve as a host for the selected candidate. More information can be found on the School of Education‘s page. The candidate may have additional hosts.
• Language Requirement: None
• Monthly Allowance: Between $5,700 - $6,300 (exact amount to be confirmed at a later date)
• Dependent Information: An allowance of $2,000 per eligible dependent will be provided as part of the grant. Children can attend primary and lower-secondary public schools at little or no cost, which is a great way to integrate into Icelandic society. The Commission can assist grantees in finding an appropriate local public school. Grantees with dependents should read the family guide on our webpage. Please note that tuition support for dependents is subject to availability and requests for funding are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are strongly encouraged to research schooling options for their dependents during the application phase. 

Country Overview

Iceland is a small Nordic country, an island republic in the North Atlantic, between the U.S. and the European mainland. Iceland is technologically advanced; English is widely spoken. As a small, highly technologically advanced country, Iceland can support many types of research. English is widely spoken and used in academia. Fulbrighters can generally expect good access to people, institutions, and information for research purposes.

Iceland has spectacular nature and offers an opportunity for unique outdoor experiences, in addition to a vibrant cultural scene and a cuisine that has been gaining international recognition. The Fulbright Commission in Iceland prefers to maintain close ties with Fulbrighters during their stay and provide a sense of community. There are monthly grantee activities sponsored by the Commission, in addition to access to Fulbright alumni events and other social activities.

Educational System Overview

The education system in Iceland is divided into four levels: pre-school, compulsory, upper secondary, and higher education. The system is pre-dominantly publicly funded with very few private schools. The central government has the overall responsibility at all levels of education and sets the policies. Local authorities are responsible for the operation of pre-schools and the single structure compulsory school level (primary and secondary schools) in their area.

A fundamental principle of the Icelandic education system is that everyone should have equal opportunity to acquire an education. The Education Strategy 2030 was adopted in 2021 and is a ten-year plan that establishes Iceland’s objective to achieve a dynamic and flexible education system to drive economic and social change.

The current educational challenges include a general decline in literacy and science skills and an increasing achievement gap between socially disadvantaged students and their peers (OECD, 2021). Although the majority of students in compulsory school report a feeling of belonging and general satisfaction in school, students of immigrant background are more likely to experience a lack of connection with teachers and their peers. 

Here are additional resources on the National Education System and Curriculum in Iceland.

Possible Topics of Interest for U.S. Educators

• Multicultural education and language acquisition
• Icelandic saga tradition, folklore, and culture