Where is Bergen?

Bergen is the second largest city in Norway. It is situated on the west coast, facing the sea and surrounded by seven mountains. Because of its proximity to the Atlantic Gulf Stream, the climate is rather mild all year round. Summer temperatures generally range from 12 – 25 degrees (Celsius), and though Bergen is sometimes called the “City of Rain”, it certainly also has its sunny days.

Both the scenery and the architecture in Bergen attract tourists from all over the world. Narrow cobblestoned streets twist down the hills between small picturesque white  wooden houses. In the city centre you will find a charming mix of old and new, the famous fish market, the Hanseatic buildings (Bryggen), and a wide selection of cafes and restaurants, shops and museums.

Due to its location on a peninsula between seven mountains, the city centre itself is not very big. All the same it is a lively town with more than 30 000 students - many of them coming from abroad. Bergen has an interesting cultural life and a pulsating night life.

Venue

The Bergen Summer Research School is organised at the University of Bergen, the Law Faculty building (Dragefjellet) which is situated close to the city centre.

Travel and accommodation

Bergen is well connected to the rest of the world by direct air flights from/to a number of European airports and by railway (via Oslo).

The participants are expected to organise and cover their own travel (regarding the possibility of receiving travel support, see next paragraph). For students who do not reside in Bergen, the BSRS offers lodging at Fantoft Student Accomodation (kitchen and bathroom will be shared between two) for the duration of the Research School.

For those who want to arrange own accommodation you will find lists of available hotels and hostels on the City of Bergen web pages. As hotels in Bergen are generally fully booked in June-July, it is important that bookings are made as early as possible. BSRS will reserve a limited number of hotel rooms which may upon request be made available to BSRS candidates.

Travel grants

BSRS offers a limited number of grants to students and junior faculty in the global south, as well as to those who do not reside in Bergen. The scholarships are granted to PhD students according to scientific qualifications.

Two kinds of scholarships are available:

Full grant
Students from the global south may be eligible for this grant, which covers costs for air travel, the stay at Fantoft Student Accomodation (kitchen and bathroom will be shared between two) for the duration of the Research School, as well as local transportation in the Bergen area.

Partial grant
Students who do not reside in Bergen may be eligible for this grant, which covers the stay at Fantoft Student Accomodation (kitchen and bathroom will be shared between two) for the duration of the Research School. Local transportation in the Bergen area is also covered.

NB. The student flats are fully equipped.

Important: To obtain a travel grant, applicants must fill in the required information in the application form and state clearly the reasons why they need financial support. For candidates receiving travel grants, the BSRS Secretariat will book air tickets and send the tickets electronically to each participant. 

Domestic travel costs in the applicant's home country will as a rule NOT be reimbursed. Visa and travel insurance costs and airport tax must be paid by the participants themselves, but for travel grant receivers such costs will be refunded during their stay in Bergen, provided that you bring original receipts.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for attending the Bergen Summer Research School is 4000 NOK (which equals approximately 475 Euros or 647 USD. Check for updated exchange rates.

Meals

Lunches and coffee/tea/snacks during breaks, as well as some dinners, will be served free of charge to all the participants .

Norwegian currency

The currency of Norway is Norwegian Kroner (NOK).

It may also be useful to know that Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world, not least when it comes to public transport, restaurants, tobacco and alcoholic beverages and nationally produced merchandise in general.

Welcome to the Bergen Summer Research School!