Summary
An opportunity for UK-based early to mid-career researchers to apply for travel support to attend Arctic Frontiers 2026 in Tromsø, Norway. The conference will take place from 2 – 5 February.
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 launched a new scheme for 2025–26 with the aim of ‘Supporting Impactful UK Arctic Science Engagement’. A key component of this scheme is to support the participation of UK-based early to mid-career researchers at major international Arctic conferences. The scheme has already funded several researchers to attend the Arctic Circle Assembly, and the Greenland Science Week Conference later this year.
We are pleased to offer an additional opportunity for UK-based early-career to mid-career researchers to apply for travel support to attend another important international Arctic event – Arctic Frontiers, 2 – 5 February, 2026.
The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Turn of the Tide’. Always an important conference, the event has varied and interesting science, business and politics elements and is an excellent place for making research connections. Please note, it is still possible to submit an abstract for this conference – the deadline is 3rd October 2025: https://arcticfrontiers.com/
Participation will provide valuable training and development opportunities for the next generation of UK-based Arctic researchers, while also encouraging new international collaborations.
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.
You can apply for up to a maximum of £2500. Eligible costs for Arctic Frontiers 2026 include:
- Return travel costs from UK to Tromsø – economy or standard tickets only.
- Local transportation to and from airport to hotel.
- Registration for the Arctic Frontiers (this opens in October 2025). This includes any lunches that can be purchased through the registration process.
- Accommodation: up to four nights’ accommodation.
Non eligible costs:
- Subsistence (meals etc not included in the registration process)
- Travel and medical insurance
- Salary costs
The funds provided through this scheme are to support travel to the Arctic Frontiers Conference. 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 31 October 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 Arctic Frontiers, including any presenting, speaking, note-taking or other official roles within the conference.
- Please note any existing connections to any of the 2024-2025 bursary projects (or 2025-2026 bursaries or any other planned or ongoing collaboration with working groups under the Arctic Council) 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. Priority will be given to those with active roles within the conference.
Timescales
Applications must be submitted by 1600 (UK time) on Friday 31 October 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 mid-November 2025. Please note that no further feedback will be provided.
Please contact us if you have any questions:
NERC Arctic Office – arctic@bas.ac.uk