24 July 2026
An opportunity for researchers based in the United Kingdom to apply for funding to support practical research and prototype and technology development that explores security, societal resilience against emerging societal threats and applications of Arctic technologies and data that serve both civilian and security needs, in collaboration with appropriate partners across Arctic and non-Arctic states.
Background
The Arctic faces growing security challenges arising from climate change, geopolitical competition and growing commercial and military activity. Receding sea ice is opening new shipping routes, resource frontiers and areas of commercial and military activity, while Arctic data, infrastructure and instrumentation are taking on growing strategic value. These shifts are creating new challenges for the wider security and resilience of Arctic states, including many of the UK’s closest allies. There is a growing need for technologies that can help anticipate, mitigate and respond to these challenges, including where civilian research and security-uses increasingly overlap.
The Arctic’s unique conditions demand purpose-built technologies, while also offering scope to adapt existing tools and expertise for both civilian and security uses. The United Kingdom brings distinctive strengths to this area, including leading capabilities in Arctic monitoring and research. Building on this, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is seeding a new funding stream to support UK-based researchers on projects that strengthen climate security, societal resilience and innovation with civilian and security relevance in the Arctic, with benefit to those who live there and to the UK and its allies. The call is open to all subject areas, provided the Arctic dimension is explicit and central, and researchers new to the region are actively encouraged to apply.
Aims
- seed basic research, prototype and technology development across all technological readiness levels that strengthens security, societal resilience and innovation across civilian and security applications in the Arctic
- build new partnerships between UK-based researchers and collaborators in Arctic and non-Arctic observer states; and
- broaden UK research engagement on Arctic security and resilience
This FCDO scheme is being delivered in active partnership with the NERC Arctic Office and the UK Science and Technology Network.
Application Details
Scheme Eligibility
Applicants must be based in the UK. They should be employed at a university, research centre or other institution which is eligible to apply for and receive UKRI-NERC funding. Eligible researchers will usually be on long-term contract or permanent positions, with tenure confirmed to be up to or beyond the duration of the grant. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) are encouraged to participate as project partners. PhD students will not be eligible as the main applicant but may be included in wider teams, as appropriate.
Applications by researchers from groups who are traditionally under-represented in Arctic science will be especially welcome. No prior specific experience of engagement with Arctic research is required.
Research and engagement areas
This funding scheme invites applications for projects that improve societal resilience against emerging threats, strengthen Arctic security, and/or develop technologies with both civilian and security relevance in the Arctic.
Research areas are deliberately broad, and applications are invited (but not limited to) areas related to the deployment and adaptation of critical and emerging technologies in the Arctic, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, advanced connectivity technologies, semiconductors, autonomous systems, robotics, navigation, sensing and communications in land, sea or space-based operational domains.
Projects are expected to be delivered in partnership with collaborators in Arctic or non-Arctic Observer states, working with research institutes, SMEs or other relevant organisations to co-develop, test or deploy new approaches. Letters of support from partners are not required however will be considered favourably in assessment.
Examples of projects include, but are not limited to:
- development of prototypes for use in the Arctic;
- deployment, adaptation and testing of existing technologies in Arctic conditions;
- proof-of-concept projects; and
- scoping studies or feasibility assessments for potential future joint programmes;
Projects that foster co-production of knowledge, equitable collaboration, effective community engagement, and long-term impact are strongly encouraged. Where relevant to the projects aims, the approach to effective community engagement should be outlined.
You should consult the UKRI’s Trusted Research and Innovation Principles prior to submitting your application to ensure that the work you intend to complete will fully meet these requirements.
You are encouraged to consult the UK Arctic Code of Conduct and apply these approaches in developing your application, wherever appropriate.
International Partners
Researchers are strongly encouraged to develop meaningful partnerships with colleagues from Arctic States and non-Arctic States with relevant expertise or capabilities as part of their application.
Eligible Activity
Applicants are encouraged to be ambitious and creative in their proposals, identifying areas where their expertise, access to existing and new data, analysis and/or re-analysis and assessment abilities, and partnerships will help meet the overall aims of the scheme.
Applications may be for work which addresses a specific research question, or which is part of a wider initiative where the application will add clearly identifiable value and impact.
Examples of eligible activity include: travel, accommodation and subsistence, purchasing/hire/use of special equipment, logistics and shipping costs, specific training and permit/access costs. Fixed costs for areas such as analysis, laboratory time and consumables and related expenditure can all be eligible.
Where appropriate, costs such as travel and related subsistence and equipment for international partners are central to the project are also eligible. All finance must be managed exclusively by the UK-based applicant.
Costs associated with attending general conferences may be eligible but should be a minor part of the overall costs of the application and link specifically to the stated outcomes and expected impact of the application. Costs for workshops and meetings directly associated with the delivery of the project can be included.
Salary costs and associated costs for researchers, such as overheads, will not generally be eligible. Publication costs will not normally be eligible.
Eligible Years
The FCDO funding will support projects which can complete work in the Financial Year 2026-27 (1 April to 31 March)
In the event that the FCDO is able to make similar levels of funding available for the Financial Years 2027-28 and 2028-29 new Calls will be released as soon as possible. Acceptance of an application for 2026-27 will be separate to the decision process for these later years. But you should indicate in the 2026-27 application if there is the potential for further work to be supported in 2027-28 and/or 2028-29, including an indication of the work involved, how this would be delivered and additional impact.
Funding Levels
Eligible costs should not exceed in total £50,000. Applications for smaller sums are welcome. All eligible costs will be funded at 100 percent.
Timelines
Applications must be submitted by the deadline of 1600 on Friday 18 September 2026. Confirmation of receipt will be via e-mail. You must contact the NERC Arctic Office – arctic@bas.ac.uk – if you do not receive confirmation of receipt.
Assessments and decisions will be made by the end of October.
All funded activity in must be completed during 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. Carry overs, no-cost extensions and similar arrangements are NOT possible with this Call.
Funding will be issued to your institution by the end of November on completion of appropriate documentation.
Data Handling & Storage Practices and Reporting
Data handling and storage should be in line with overall UK Research and Innovation principles of data management.
An interim financial report and a short final project report will be required, in addition to responses to proportionate ad hoc requests for information and images, as needed.
Application Process
You are strongly encouraged to contact the NERC Arctic Office to discuss your proposal and eligibility at an early stage before submitting an application.
There is no specific application form. However, applications must not exceed four pages A4 (12 point text). Supporting documentation such as CVs and any confirmation letters can be in addition to the four-page limit.
Applications must be submitted electronically to the NERC Arctic Office arctic@bas.ac.uk by 1600 on Friday 18 September in PDF format. If you do not receive confirmation of receipt, please contact the NERC Arctic Office.
The application must include:
- A proposal title and executive summary (200 words max.).
- A description of the research or other work to be undertaken by the applicant, including details of roles and responsibilities of any co-investigators and collaborators, including those based in Arctic States or non-Arctic Observer States or others.
- A description of the expected scientific outputs and/or other outcomes and impact of the proposed work, including the value it will add to Arctic security, societal resilience and/or applications with civilian and security relevance.
- Applicants should set out how the project’s applications will be developed, and how outputs could be taken forward by UK or partner stakeholders beyond the lifetime of the award.
- The full amount applied for, with a detailed breakdown of the work and expected costs for the project.
- Confirmation by the applicant of their UK employment status including institution and length/type of contract. A formal letter from an employer institution or HR department is not required.
The application should also include:
- A two-page (max.) CV containing full contact details of the applicant, including e-mail and telephone details.
Assessment Process
The review of applications will be undertaken by a small team, managed by the NERC Arctic Office in partnership with the UK Science and Technology Network.
The criteria used will include the assessment of all the evidence provided and will centre on how the application meets the scheme aims set out in the Background and Eligibility sections above. The assessment will specifically take into account:
- The practical feasibility of the proposed work within the budget and timescale outlined.
- The anticipated scientific and technological outcome and impact, or other impact connected to the proposed work.
- The degree to which the proposed work offers the potential for a longer-term contribution to security, societal resilience and civil-security innovation in the Arctic.
- The innovative and impactful nature of the work proposed in the application and the potential for further development.
- The value of international and wider partnership links.
Further information
For further information please contact:
Henry Burgess, NERC Arctic Office – henry.burgess@bas.ac.uk
Anne Laugesen, Science and Technology Officer, UK Embassy Copenhagen – anne.laugesen@fcdo.gov.uk
Danny Croghan, Science and Technology Officer, UK Embassy Helsinki
– danny.croghan@fcdo.gov.uk
Please also cc arctic@bas.ac.uk into your request.