Call for Applications: ‘Supporting Impactful UK Arctic Science Engagement’ – Travel Bursaries

30th June 2025

Summary

An opportunity for UK-based early to mid-career researchers to apply for travel funds to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly 2025 or the Greenland Science Week Conference 2025.

Background

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum dedicated to promoting cooperation, coordination, and interaction among Arctic states, Indigenous communities, and other Arctic inhabitants on common Arctic issues. As the current Chair of the Arctic Council (2025–2027), the Kingdom of Denmark is leading an ambitious and forward-looking programme. More information about the Council is available at: https://arctic-council.org/

The United Kingdom has held Observer status on the Arctic Council since 1998. Over the years, UK-based researchers have made significant contributions to the Council’s work, particularly through its six Working Groups, Expert Groups, and Task Forces. These contributions include sharing expertise, collaborating on data collection and analysis, and fostering international partnerships.

Recognising the value of this work and the potential for deeper engagement, the UK Government is launching a new scheme for 2025–26. A key component of this scheme is to support the participation of UK-based early to mid-career researchers at two major international Arctic events:

The Arctic Circle Assembly is the largest annual gathering on Arctic affairs, bringing together governments, organisations, corporations, universities, Indigenous communities, and civil society for inclusive and wide-ranging dialogue on Arctic issues.

The Greenland Science Week Conference is an internationally recognised, multidisciplinary conference that serves as a platform for bringing together Arctic expertise from various fields, including the social sciences, humanities, physical sciences, and life sciences. It provides a unique opportunity for researchers and professionals to collaborate, exchange ideas, and explore the varied aspects of research in Greenland.

Participation in these events will provide valuable training and development opportunities for the next generation of UK-based Arctic researchers, while also encouraging new international collaborations.

To support this, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) —working in partnership with the Science and Technology Network Denmark and the NERC Arctic Office—is funding a travel bursary scheme to enable UK-based researchers to attend these key meetings.

Bursary details

These travel bursaries are open to UK-based Early Career and Mid-Career Researchers from a broad range of science and knowledge fields. Applications are particularly welcome from early career scientists and researchers within groups under-represented across the UK Arctic research community.

Early Career Researchers are defined here as individuals who are within eight years of their PhD award or equivalent professional training.

Mid-Career Researchers are defined here as researchers with no more than fifteen years of academic or other research-related employment, following completion of postgraduate research training.

If you wish to apply for travel support to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly 2025 (ACA), you can apply for up to £1500 GBP.

Eligible costs for ACA include:

  • Return travel costs from UK to Reykjavik – economy or standard tickets only.
  • Local transportation to and from airport to hotel – economy/standard tickets only.
  • Registration for the ACA
  • Accommodation: up to four nights’ accommodation

If you wish to apply for travel support to attend the Greenland Science Week Conference 2025, you can apply for up to £2000 GBP.

Eligible costs for Greenland Science Week include:

  • Return travel costs from UK to Nuuk – economy or standard tickets only.
  • Local transportation to and from airport to hotel – economy/standard tickets only.
  • Registration for Greenland Science Week Conference
  • Accommodation: up to four nights’ accommodation

Non eligible costs for both meetings:

  • Subsistence (meals etc)
  • Travel and medical insurance
  • Salary costs

The funds provided through this scheme are to support travel to the two meetings stated above. Individuals will be responsible for booking their own travel and accommodation to the meeting and in most cases will need to submit an expense claim form (to be provided to successful applicants) to the NERC Arctic Office, with receipts to claim back costs after booking travel and accommodation.

Reporting:

We will ask for a short summary highlighting your experiences from the meeting, to include any outcomes/potential collaborations, along with a feedback questionnaire.

Application and assessment process

Applications must not exceed two pages A4 (12-point text). They must be submitted electronically to the NERC Arctic Office arctic@bas.ac.uk by 1600 UK time on Friday 1 August 2025, preferably in PDF format or within an email.

The application must include:

  • Full name
  • Contact details (including postal address, email address and telephone number)
  • Job role/employment status
  • Career stage (early career/mid-career)
  • Reason for applying and a description of the expected outcomes/impact of attending your chosen meeting.
  • Please note any existing connections to any of the 2024-2025 bursary projects where applicable and provide brief details.
  • Amount applied for, with a full breakdown of expected costs for flights, accommodation and registration fees.
  • A brief statement of endorsement/support from your supervisor/line manager or institution should be provided with the application.

The review of applications will be undertaken by a small joint NERC Arctic Office and Science and Technology Network Review Team.

Timescales

Applications must be submitted by 1600 (UK time) on Friday 1 August 2025. 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.

All applicants should receive written confirmation of the outcome of their application by the end of August 2025. Please note that no further feedback will be provided.

Please contact us if you have any questions:

 

Henry Burgess or Nicola Munro

NERC Arctic Office – arctic@bas.ac.uk