Fulbright Distinguished Arctic Scholar Award

The Fulbright Distinguished Arctic Scholar Award (formerly Arctic Chair) supports research on the Arctic or polar-related issues. Established in 2010 as a temporary project with seed funding from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Barents2020 grant scheme, the scholarship aims to increase researcher mobility between Norway and the USA, profile UNIS as an international platform for polar research, and promote knowledge exchange about the Arctic. After a pilot period, the scholarship gained permanent status from 2014/15. Originally reserved for natural sciences, it was expanded in 2016 to include all fields relevant to knowledge about the Arctic, including humanities and social sciences. The scholarship amount is NOK 350,000, and the duration of the stay is between 3 and 12 months. Scholars are expected to conduct research or lectures at an accredited university or research institution in the USA, and in addition to research, be willing to give lectures, participate in teaching, and mentor master's and PhD students.