Case Study: The American-Scandinavian Foundation achieves streamlined, user-friendly international grant management with OpenWater

How the American-Scandinavian Foundation Manages Grants

The American-Scandinavian Foundation (ASF), which awards grants, fellowships, and internships to support Scandinavian studies, was hampered by a clunky legacy system that required staff to spend significant time assisting applicants and judges—many of whom were unfamiliar with online platforms. Seeking an easy-to-use solution that could handle multiple grant programs and international applicants, the foundation selected OpenWater's grants management platform.

OpenWater phased its platform into ASF’s programs, quickly winning over skeptical academic judges and making the application and review process far simpler. As a result, the majority of judges became proficient, staff no longer spend large portions of their time on tech support, and ASF can better manage international applicants; OpenWater also provided rapid, reliable support, including an onsite problem‑solving day, delivering clear efficiency gains for the foundation.

The American-Scandinavian Foundation

Sally Yerkovich

Director, Educational Exchange & Special Projects