Fulbright Arctic Initiative Award

US$40,000 for 18 months
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Candidates Notified: May 2024
Grant Activities Begin: September 2024
Grant Activities Conclude: April 2026
Iman Abdulmoneim Program Officer, Recruitment

Program webinar featuring Co-Lead Scholars on January 31, 2024, 11am ET: Fulbright Arctic Initiative IV Application Walkthrough

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative creates a network to stimulate international scientific collaboration on Arctic issues while increasing mutual understanding among the people of the Arctic Council member states. Using an interdisciplinary, collaborative model to translate theory into practice, program participants will spend 18 months engaged in addressing public policy research questions relevant to Arctic nations' shared challenges. Approximately 19 outstanding scholars (at least 4 from the U.S. and at least 1 from each of the other seven Arctic Council member states) will be selected to participate in the program as Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars through an open, merit-based competition.

Academic researchers in the physical, natural, social, and health sciences, Indigenous and local knowledge holders, professionals in the fine arts and liberal arts as well as practitioners working in various disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Co-Lead Scholars Dr. Elizabeth Rink and Dr. Lill Bjørst will provide intellectual leadership throughout the Program, in addition to mentoring program participants and facilitating discussion and collaboration among the Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars.

Program activities will commence in September 2024 and conclude in Spring 2026. All grantees are expected to attend three in-person meetings, complete an academic residential exchange, participate in monthly webinars, collaborate in interdisciplinary thematic groups, and maintain ongoing virtual communication with fellow grantees and lead scholars. Canadian scholars will complete a research visit to the United States for a minimum of six consecutive weeks and a maximum of three consecutive months (starting October 2024 and to be completed by January 2026).

September 8-14, 2024 - Opening Group Meeting (Norway)
June 2025 - Mid-year Group Meeting (TBD)
April 2026 - Final Group Meeting (Washington, DC)

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative will provide a platform for scholars from around the Arctic circle to engage in collaborative thinking, analysis, problem-solving and multi-disciplinary research in the following areas:

• Climate Change and Arctic Resources: Given the impact of climate change and increase in extractive industries in the Arctic, there is a need to understand how climate change affects access to and use of Arctic resources. Further, geopolitics in the Arctic and local Arctic governance structures influence decision-making about resources in Arctic communities. The rich natural resources of the Arctic are the basis for livelihoods in the Arctic. At the same time, the Arctic region has considerable potential for economic development in connection with the global green transition.
• Arctic Security and Governance: The Arctic region benefits from innovative models of bilateral and multi-lateral international cooperation. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in addition to the present threat of climate change, bring urgency to further developing and strengthening Arctic governance structures and multifaceted partnerships that support Arctic security and attend to the geopolitics of the Arctic Region. Further, Arctic security comes in multiple forms, including human security, environmental security, energy security, and the security of Indigenous peoples of the Arctic and their traditional cultures and livelihoods. The concept of Arctic security becomes more nuanced, complex, and precarious with political conflicts in the Arctic region. Public diplomacy plays an important role in activating diverse stakeholders on Arctic security issues and can contribute to honoring Indigenous sovereignty and diplomatic dynamics in Arctic politics, particularly as it relates to concepts of Indigenous sovereignty in the Arctic.
• Mental Health and Well-Being: The mental health and well-being of Arctic citizens are impacted by the consequences of Arctic security, development, and climate change on individuals, families, and communities. Furthermore, the daily stress of changes in livelihood, the impacts of climate change, colonialization on traditional life pathways, economic and educational pressures, out-migration to larger cities, and increasing geopolitical tensions in the region influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic. Arctic communities are grounded in diverse Indigenous and local traditions, values, and beliefs, and languages that foster family, kinship, sharing, consensus building, and community connectedness. In addition, vibrant natural environments and rich ecosystems continue to promote thriving Arctic communities. These cultural and environmental elements also influence mental health and well-being in the Arctic.

Scholars participating in the program will attend a virtual pre-departure orientation in June. The program will officially begin with an in-person opening group meeting in Norway. During this meeting, the Co-Lead Scholars and research teams will have the opportunity to collaborate on projects and establish guidelines and goals before starting their individual exchanges.

Throughout the program, the research teams will collaborate virtually using an online platform under the guidance of the Co-Lead Scholars. At a mid-year meeting, the entire cohort will come together to share progress and preliminary outcomes.

The program will conclude with a third and final meeting in the United States, where the Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars will present the results of their collaborative work. They will also report on the achievement of program objectives and discuss the local, national, and/or regional implications of their findings. During this meeting, scholars will share policy-relevant recommendations, describe the steps they have taken to implement their projects and models, and discuss strategies for turning their recommendations into practice.

Program deliverables include group work and individual activities:

A. Group Work
1.    White Paper – January 2026
2.    Policy Brief – February 2026
3.    Community Listening Sessions – December 2025
4.    Manuscript for Publication – April 2026

B. Individual
1.    Research Exchange Visit (1.5-3 months) – Between October 2024 and January 2026 (all exchange visits must be completed by January 2026)
2.    Individual Exchange Report – due February 2026
3.    Poster for public exhibition – due February 2026

In addition to the multitude of professional development benefits that come with participation in this cohort program, Fulbright Arctic Initiative Scholars will receive grant funding in the amount of US $40,000 to support their international travel to all in-person program meetings and maintenance for the individual exchange visit, research materials and assistance for grantees only. Lodging and meals for all group meetings will be covered separately.

Scholars will be provided ASPE health benefits for the periods of their exchange visits and their attendance at the three international program meetings. Participating scholars should maintain any additional personal primary health insurance coverage they may have for the duration of the program.

The Fulbright Arctic Initiative is a program of the US Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA).

 

 

How to Apply