Denmark-America Foundation - Crown Prince Frederik Foundation

Crown Prince Frederik Fund scholarship

Tuition fees for a Master’s degree in Public Policy or Public Administration in the USA – usually at the Harvard Kennedy School – are covered in full. The scholarship amounts to approximately 34,370 EUR for a one-year place on the programme. Health insurance is included. The funding covers one academic year, from September to May. The two-year Master’s programme is funded across both years. Up to three scholarships are awarded each year: one or two for a full two-year Master’s programme and one for the one-year option, which is aimed at experienced professionals. The fund was established in 1993 as a birthday present for the then Crown Prince Frederik (now King Frederik X) whilst he was studying at Harvard. It is administered by the Danish-American Fulbright Commission (Fulbright Denmark).

Who can apply

• Nationality: You are a Danish citizen and have close ties to Denmark. You must not hold dual Danish-American citizenship or a US Green Card.
• Where you study: You are studying at Harvard University’s Kennedy School or at another Ivy League university on a comparable degree programme.
• Degree level: To enrol on the two-year Master’s programme, you will need a Bachelor’s degree and, as a rule, two to three years’ professional experience. For the one-year programme, you will need a Master’s degree and at least seven years’ relevant professional experience.
• Field: You are studying social sciences, public administration, political science, economics or law.
• Quantitative skills: You can demonstrate that you are numerate, for example through undergraduate-level courses in economics, statistics or calculus. For the two-year Master’s programme in ‘Public Policy’, you will also need a score of 70% or higher in the quantitative section of the GRE or GMAT test.
• Grades: You have achieved excellent results (the committee attaches particular importance to the Danish marks 12 and 10).
• Experience and engagement: You have relevant professional experience and have been actively involved alongside your studies, for example in charitable organisations, politics, business, the legal sector or public administration.

How to apply

First check whether you qualify for the Kennedy School and one to three alternative Ivy League universities. Then send your application to the fund through Fulbright Denmark. If you are nominated, you apply to the universities yourself. The scholarship is confirmed once a university admits you. The application window opens in spring 2027 for the 2028/2029 academic year, with a deadline around September.

How realistic are your chances?

Up to three scholarships are awarded each year: one or two for the two-year Master’s programme and one for the one-year programme. The number of applicants is not published.

If you are weighing up other options alongside this fund, you will find further Danish funding opportunities in our guide Scholarships in Denmark.