Fulbright Arctic Initiative

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 $40,000 (or an equivalent amount in local currency) 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.  Accommodations and meals for all group meetings will be covered separately.

FAI 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.
 

FAI IV scholars will be expected to actively participate in diverse learning environments.  The components of this Fulbright opportunity include:

• Monthly Webinars. Scholars will be expected to attend and actively participate in monthly webinars aimed at increasing awareness of Arctic research and policy issues as well as increasing the capacity to collaborate in interdisciplinary groups. Monthly webinars will include presentations and discussions on a range of topics relevant to the Arctic context including, but not limited to the use of mixed methodologies and Indigenous research practices in research; community engaged scholarship and building multilateral collaborative partnerships; research ethics across interdisciplinary investigative teams; and policy advocacy. In addition, over the course of the 18-month program, each thematic group will a take a lead in organizing and facilitating one or two of the monthly webinars that is related to their thematic group topic. The Arctic Fulbright Commissions will also have the opportunity to lead a webinar on a topic relevant to their respective country’s Arctic priorities.
• Thematic Group Collaboration. A significant component of FAI is to collaborate in interdisciplinary thematic groups to develop actionable policy recommendations for Arctic policy makers. Therefore, scholars must demonstrate the interest, capacity, and skills to collaborate in thematic groups across disciplines, diverse knowledge systems, as well as cultural and linguistical differences. Specifically, in their thematic group, scholars will be expected to produce: 1) one white paper based on the research in the thematic group’s area of expertise as it pertains to their thematic group topic; 2) a collaboratively written policy brief based on their group work and white papers; 3) three to five community listening sessions organized by each thematic group in communities of their choosing to gather input and feedback on each group’s policy recommendations; and 4) one joint manuscript for publication that is based on the findings from their group’s white paper and policy brief.  Scholars will be expected to develop their policy recommendations with some level of community engagement through town hall meetings, community-centered workshops, and/or some form of engagement that creates the opportunity for communities’ voices to shape/influence each group’s policy recommendations.
• In-Person Meetings. Scholars will be expected to attend three in-person meetings over the course of the 18-month program. The first two in-person meetings are designed to provide scholars with the opportunity to work together on their thematic group topic and products with in-person mentorship from the Co-Lead Scholars and other members of the FAI IV leadership team. Scholars will receive training in how to establish group communication and work covenants for constructive collaboration and product development in interdisciplinary teams; what is interdisciplinary scholarship; why is it important to the Arctic; and how does it work, as well as how to work effectively on interdisciplinary teams to develop policy. In addition, during the first two in-person meetings, scholars will be exposed to relevant Arctic research and policy topics as well as the arts and local culture of the two host countries through discussions and events with policy makers, researchers, artists, museums, and universities from the host countries. The final in-person meeting takes place in Washington, D.C. with a series of events and meetings with Arctic policy officials and interface with the public to provide the opportunity for the scholars to showcase their thematic group collaborations on policy development and recommendations and the research from their individual exchange programs.
• Individual Exchange Visit. Each scholar will participate in an individual exchange visit of a minimum of six consecutive weeks and maximum of three months to conduct research on a topic of their choosing and to serve as a cultural and scientific ambassador from their country of origin. U.S. scholars are eligible to conduct research that is relevant to their particular area of scholarship in one of the Arctic Council member states, excluding Russia. Non-U.S. scholars are eligible to go anywhere in the United States to conduct research that is relevant to their particular area of Arctic scholarship. The individual research exchange component is an opportunity for scholars to study and learn about the values, beliefs, and culture of their host country as well as to study a particular area of scholarship that will enhance and contribute to their existing work in a specific discipline that leads to innovation in their field. Scholars will be expected to demonstrate how their individual exchange visit will innovate their Arctic scholarship and will contribute to their skill set in their thematic group collaboration. For their individual exchange program, FAI IV scholars will be expected to submit one individual exchange report based on lessons learned from their exchange.

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

Advancing Arctic Knowledge Systems and Policies Through an Interdisciplinary Framework

FAI IV will provide a platform for scholars from across the Arctic region to engage in collaborative thinking, analysis, problem-solving and multi-disciplinary research in three main thematic areas. FAI IV seeks scholars who propose innovative and creative scientific, cultural, applied, and artistic approaches to activate a diverse multidimensional framework to generate security in the Arctic. Thus, the topics are not meant to limit or direct, but rather to stimulate the proposed research and interdisciplinary collaboration of scholars interested in the Fulbright Arctic Initiative.

Theme #1: 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.  

Theme #2: 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.  

Theme #3: 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.