The Fulbright Arctic Initiative is a U.S. Department of State program, administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE), that brings together experts from Arctic Council countries for 18 months of collaborative research on Arctic policy questions.
Initiative IV (2024–2026) selected 20 scholars working on Arctic security themes. Each joined online and in-person group work and made an individual exchange: U.S. scholars to another Arctic country, the others to a U.S. institution. No competition is open now.
Benefits & funding
- Supported 18 months of participation: monthly webinars, thematic group work and three in-person meetings (Norway, Greenland and Anchorage, Alaska).
- An individual research exchange of six weeks to three months (2023 flyer); 6–12 weeks (program page).
- US$40,000 for 18 months (Initiative IV, Fulbright Canada page) for meeting travel, exchange maintenance and research materials; group-meeting lodging and meals covered separately; ASPE health benefits during exchange and meetings.
Eligibility
- Citizenship and residency in an Arctic Council country: Canada, the Kingdom of Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden or the United States.
- Expertise and a record of accomplishment in one of the cycle’s research themes, with active work on a related inquiry.
- Openness to comparative, interdisciplinary and collaborative work.
- Preferred, not required: early- or mid-career academics, applied researchers or professionals; a PhD or equivalent terminal degree; no previous Fulbright Scholar grant.
Application process
- 1Initiative IV applications were made online through IIE by March 1, 2024; U.S. and Russian applicants contacted IIE, the others their home-country Fulbright office.
- 2Required: a 3–5-page project statement, a CV of up to six pages and two recommendation letters.
- 3Supplements: a bibliography of up to three pages, a language proficiency report for non-U.S. applicants and a portfolio for artists, architects and journalists.
Program timeline
Initiative IV application deadline
March 1, 2024
18-month awards began
September 2024
Final meeting in Anchorage, Alaska
April 2026
Initiative V competition details expected (Fulbright Canada)
Fall 2027