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Norway America Association: Trans-Atlantic Bridge Builder since 1919 |
For ninety years, the Norway-America Association (NAA) and its forerunner, the Norway-America Fund, have made it possible for thousands of Norwegian students, scholars, and trainees to study in the United States and Canada. Annually NAA awards up to 75 scholarships for university-level studies and research, amounting to approximately $500,000 (NOK 3,400,000). |
 These scholarships are greatly appreciated, as can be seen in the many glowing testimonials from young Norwegians who have been able to spend a year or more in the United States or Canada thanks to its financial assistance. “This past year has been fantastic in so many ways,” writes a journalism student at the prestigious Columbia University in New York city. “Professionally, it has opened many doors, and it has given me a broad international network. Personally, it has been rewarding to study and work with my professors and fellow students who are so awake to the world and so eager to learn more. It will be exciting to see where it all takes me. Thank you again for your support.”
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The Beginning |
| In the spring of 1919, the American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), established in 1908 and based in New York, and Nordmanns-Forbundet, established in 1907 and based in Oslo, discussed creating a fund in Norway that would support student exchanges between Norway and the United States. The ASF had, for several years, been actively engaged in securing scholarships for students from the Scandinavian countries to study in America. In September 1919, the first public document announcing the establishment of The Norway-America Fund was released. By agreeing to serve as its patron, King Haakon VII endorsed the initiative. Since that time the Association has been under “the protection of the King.” King Olav V made no secret of his admiration for the Association's work, and his presence cast a special aura over several of its functions. King Harald, too, has been a strong supporter. When he was Crown Prince, he and Crown Princess Sonja were guests of honor at several of the Association's functions. |
Turbulent Years |
The Fund had its ups and downs and was discontinued at one point during the Great Depression. Then, in 1936, when international economic conditions improved, the Fund was brought to life again. A new board was formed with the president of the Norwegian Parliament, C. J. Hambro, then also president of Nordmanns-Forbundet, serving as chairman.
Successful fundraising made it possible to send several students to the United States. However, the ominous clouds of war looming over Europe called an abrupt halt to the Fund's activities. In December 1939, the Board held its last meeting prior to the German invasion of Norway in April 1940.
This did not mean that the Fund ceased to exist. Its enterprising chairman, C. J. Hambro, set up a “Board in Exile” in Princeton, New Jersey, where he resided during the war. (The board also served as the voice of Nordmanns-Forbundet.) During the war, thousands of young Norwegians had been cut off from further education. The university was closed in 1943 and many students were arrested. But, thanks to Hambro as well as other prominent Norwegians, such as Professor Jacob Worm-Müller and author Sigrid Undset, the board quickly resumed its work when the war ended in Norway in May 1945. Norwegian students literally stood in line for the opportunity to study at American universities and colleges. The Norway-America Fund became a source of advice and assistance.
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The Norway-America Association is Founded |
In the fall of 1946, The Norway-America Fund merged with The Association for Cooperation between the United States and Norway to become the Norge-Amerika Foreningen (the Norway-America Association). The granting of scholarships is one of the cornerstones of the life and history of the Norway-America Association. These scholarships are dependent on financial support from Norwegian and American donors.
NORAM's scholarships remain attractive, and in the last few years there has been a significant increase in applications. The Association manages a total of 10 scholarship programs, covering everything from undergraduate studies to graduate studies and research. NORAM also helps Norwegians obtain internship visas in cooperation with its sister organization in New York, ASF.
Thanks to contributions from private individuals, businesses and the Association's own members, the Norway-America Association is one of the most important supporters of academic exchange between Norway and North America.
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"An Invaluable Mission" |
| Because of its important work, the Norway-America Association has always received wide support. The Association was honored to receive the following message from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton for the 2009 annual meeting and 90th anniversary: |
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"Congratulations on celebrating 90 years of promoting educational and cultural exchange between Norway and the United States.
The United States enjoys a broad and dynamic relationship with Norway that has been enriched by the more than 5,000 Norway-America Association scholarships awarded since the Association's beginning in 1919. These scholarship recipients can be found in every walk of life, and include leaders in
government, business, the arts, and academia from both countries.
Thank you for carrying this invaluable mission into the future."
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| NORAM's mission as a Trans-Atlantic bridge builder is just as important today, as it was more than 90 years ago. |
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Greeting from U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton |
"Congratulations on celebrating 90 years of promoting educational and cultural exchange between Norway and the United States.
The United States enjoys a broad and dynamic relationship with Norway that has been enriched by the more than 5,000 Norway-America Association scholarships awarded since the Association's beginning in 1919. These scholarship recipients can be found in every walk of life, and include leaders in
government, business, the arts, and academia from both countries.
Thank you for carrying this invaluable mission into the future."
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