Applications are now open for ISFiT 2027, the world’s largest international student festival, taking place in Trondheim, Norway. This fully funded opportunity brings together 350 students from across the globe for ten days of dialogue, cultural exchange, and meaningful conversations on pressing global issues. Students of all nationalities and academic disciplines are encouraged to apply before the deadline.
What Makes ISFiT Different From a Typical Conference
ISFiT stands for the International Student Festival in Trondheim. Founded in 1990, it has grown into the world’s largest student festival, held every two years in Trondheim, Norway. From 11 to 21 February 2027, ISFiT will transform the city into a global meeting place for students, ideas, and cultural exchange.
Unlike an academic conference built around papers and panels, ISFiT is built around dialogue between people who wouldn’t normally meet. Students from around the world gather to explore pressing global issues through dialogue, workshops, debates, art, and music, with no academic paper or presentation required to take part.
The theme for ISFiT 2027 is Changing Winds. This theme invites participants to reflect on a world shaped by political change, climate challenges, and shifting global realities, along with the role young people play in navigating and shaping the future.
The Basics at a Glance
- Festival Dates: 11 to 21 February 2027
- Location: Trondheim, Norway
- Application Period: June 7 to August 2, 2026
- Number of Participants: 350 students from around the world
- Cost to Attend: Free of charge
- Eligible Applicants: Students from all countries and fields of study
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What’s Included, Free of Charge
ISFiT 2027 removes many of the usual financial barriers that keep students from attending international events. Selected participants receive the following benefits.
- Free accommodation throughout the festival
- Free food during the entire event
- Financial aid available for travel costs
- Access to workshops, debates, and cultural events
- Opportunities to connect with students from over 100 countries
- A platform to discuss global issues including politics, climate, and social change
Since participation is free and financial aid is available for travel, students from diverse economic backgrounds have a genuine opportunity to take part.
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Who Can Take Part
To apply for ISFiT 2027, applicants must meet the following requirements.
- Must be an active student during the spring semester of 2027
- Must be comfortable communicating in English, since all festival activities are conducted in English
- Open to students of all nationalities and academic disciplines
- No specific grade point average or academic achievement required
- No prior international program experience required
The selection process focuses on the written application itself rather than academic records. ISFiT looks for motivated and engaged students who want to contribute to discussions, share their perspectives, and learn from others. The goal is to build a diverse group representing a wide range of cultures, experiences, viewpoints, and fields of study. There are no country or regional quotas, so students from any nation have an equal opportunity to be selected.
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What Actually Makes an Application Stand Out
Since ISFiT doesn’t screen by grades or prior experience, the written application carries the full weight of your candidacy. A few things tend to separate strong applications from generic ones:
- Specific over general. Statements about “wanting to learn about other cultures” are true of almost every applicant. Naming a specific issue you want to discuss, tied to the Changing Winds theme, reads as more genuine.
- Evidence of listening, not just speaking. ISFiT is built on dialogue. Applications that mention wanting to hear other perspectives, not just share your own, tend to fit the festival’s actual format better.
- Honesty about your motivation. Since there are no quotas or hidden preferences beyond building a diverse group, there’s no advantage to guessing what reviewers want to hear. A direct, specific answer works better than a polished but vague one.
Applying to ISFiT: What to Do
Applying for ISFiT 2027 involves the following steps.
- Visit the ISFiT website and locate the APPLY button
- Complete your application through Participant Web, the official application portal
- Share information about yourself, your interests, and your motivation for participating
- Submit your application before August 2, 2026, at 23:59 CEST
- If you wish to apply for travel financial aid, include this request in your application
Deadline: August 2, 2026, 23:59 Central European Summer Time (CEST)
Answers to Common Applicant Questions
What expenses are covered by ISFiT?
ISFiT provides free food and accommodation during the festival. Travel expenses such as airfare are generally not covered, but applicants can request airfare funding through the application form. ISFiT allocates this funding fairly and aims to help as many students as possible.
I have not received a confirmation email after sending in my application, can you confirm that it is received?
Participant Web does not send automatic confirmation emails. Applicants should rest assured that their applications have likely been received, since ISFiT has confirmed this for many applicants with similar concerns in the past.
Is it possible that some applicants receive special consideration during the application process?
A small group of official ambassadors will be invited to attend ISFiT 2027. Aside from these ambassadors, every applicant is reviewed equally and fairly. While several organizational factors are considered when building the final participant list, no individual applicant receives special or biased treatment.
When can I expect to receive feedback on my application?
The application deadline is August 2, 2026. Since ISFiT carefully reviews every application, applicants can expect to receive a response no earlier than mid September 2026.
What kind of school certificate should I upload with my application?
Applicants should request an enrollment certificate from their school confirming enrollment until December 1, 2026, or later. This document varies depending on the school and country, and it can be submitted in a language other than English. If a student certificate is not available, applicants may upload alternative documents such as an admission letter, student ID card, letter from university, or another official document confirming student status.
I don’t yet have my enrollment certificate for spring 2027, what do I do?
Applicants who have not yet received their enrollment certificate for spring 2027 can submit an older enrollment certificate or another form of documentation instead. Anyone invited to ISFiT 2027 will need to provide the updated spring 2027 enrollment certificate once accepted in September 2026.
What do I need to do myself if I am accepted as a participant?
Accepted participants will receive further instructions once invitations are sent out. Participants are responsible for booking and purchasing their own airfare or travel tickets, even if they receive travel funding from ISFiT. Participants who require a visa to enter Norway must also apply for this themselves.
For further questions about the application process or participation in ISFiT 2027, applicants can contact the organizers at questions@isfit.no.
