BSRS 2013 Practicalities

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 often pictured as the “Rain City”, it certainly also has its sunny days.

Both the scenery and the architecture in Bergen attract tourists from all over the world. Narrow paving stoned streets twist down the hills between small picturesque white painted 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 living here - many of them coming from abroad. Bergen has an interesting cultural life and a pulsating night life.

For more information about Bergen please go to the City of Bergen Tourist Office.

Venue

The Bergen Summer Research School 2013 is organised at the University of Bergen, the Law Faculty building (Dragefjellet) which is situated close to the city centre. The Law Faculty can be found here (Google Maps).

Travel and accommodation

Bergen is well connected to the rest of the world by direct air flights from/to a number of central 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 your 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 done as early as possible.A limited number of hotel rooms at medium price level are being reserved by the BSRS Secretariat and may, upon request, be available for candidates accepted to the BSRS.

Travel grants

The BSRS is able to offer a limited number of scholarships to students and junior faculty in the global south, as well as to those who do not reside in Bergen. The scholarships are prioritised for PhD students according to scientific qualifications.

Two kinds of grants are available:

1) Full grant

Students from the global south are 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.

2) Partial grant

Students who do not reside in Bergen are 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. There are fully equipped cooking facilities at Fantoft.

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.  Internal travel costs in the applicants' 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 they bring with them the original receipts.

Tuition Fee

The tuition fee for attending the Bergen Summer Research School is 4000 NOK (which equals approximately 540 Euros or 720 USD, current rate (29 January 2012)). Click here for updated currency rates.

Meals

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

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!