Kistefos Public Service Fellowship Fund

In 2006, Kistefos AS established the Kistefos Public Service Fellowship Fund. The fund was created in order to support Norwegian students to pursue masters’ degrees in public administration at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Havard University.

The fund will finance at least two students annually from 2007-2013 and will be financed by a donation of around NOK 8 million from Kistefos AS. Recipients of scholarships must sign a binding contract to work in the public sector in Norway for a period of at least three years after graduation.

Individuals supported by the Kistefos Fund are known as Kistefos Fellows and may enroll in Kennedy School degree programs to earn a Master in Public Policy (MPP), Two-year Master in Public Administration (MPA2), Master in Public Administration/International Development (MPA/ID), or Mid-Career Master in Public Administration (MC/MPA). The Kistefos Fund can support student tution, fees and living expenses.

The reason why the fund was established was the Mr. Christen Sveaas (sole owner of Kistefos AS) is on the Dean’s Council at the school and the objective of the fund is to educate professional managers who will contribute to the improved and efficient management of the Norwegian public sector.

In order to apply to the Kistefos Public Service Fellowship Fund, an application must first be qualified for acceptance at the John F. Kennedy School of Government. The school’s normal criteria for acceptance, such as leadership qualities, commitment to improved administration, academic qualities, work experience and leadership potential will be given special weight during the application process.

Candidates who are admitted to the John F. Kennendy School of Government simultaneously qualify for the Kistefos scholarship.

A committee consisting of Sonia Mykletun, Chair of the U.S.-Norway Fulbright Foundation for Educational Ecchange, Rune Bjerke, CEO of DnBNOR, Tersita Alvarez Bjelland, Harvard Alumni, Eli Engløk, Principal of Oslo Handelsgymnasium and Åge Korsvold, CEO of Kistefos AS decide which students shall be awarded the Kistefos scholarship once the John F. Kennedy School of Government has presented its recommendations.

Previous graduates of Oslo Handelsgymnasium are particularly encouraged to apply and will be given preferential treatment if candidates are otherwise equally qualified.

Please see press release (19th June 2007): http://www.kistefos.no/the_kistefos_group/news/