Arctic Field Grant takes applications until 11 November

Master's students, doctoral students and more experienced researchers can apply until 13:00 Svalbard time on Wednesday 11 November 2026 for money to do fieldwork in Svalbard, the Research Council of Norway said in its call for proposals. The Arctic Field Grant covers part of the cost of fieldwork, and the council said it is not meant to fund a project in full.

Applicants must be employed by, or otherwise affiliated with, a Norwegian research organisation. The council said its chief aim is to help students and researchers advance their careers in polar research. Master's and doctoral students must show that the field data are necessary for their thesis and form part of it.

Each grant is for one named project manager and ranges from NOK 20,000 to NOK 130,000. The council presumes NOK 5.9 million is available in total, and NOK 1 million of that is earmarked for projects based in Ny-Ålesund. For those, the project manager must be employed by an approved Norwegian research organisation.

Projects can run for one to 12 months. Funding covers the period from 1 March 2027 to 28 February 2028, and master's students whose fieldwork in January and February 2027 is crucial to their thesis can also apply.

Fieldwork can be in Svalbard, including Bjørnøya (Bear Island) and Hopen, or on Jan Mayen. The grant does not cover labour costs, buying instruments or equipment, analysis costs other than securing samples and preparing them for shipment, or attendance at courses and conferences. Applications covering the Ny-Ålesund and Kongsfjorden area must explain their contribution to, and link with, the flagship programmes.

Applications must be written in English and submitted through the council's online portal by the research organisation that acts as project owner. They need a project description of up to three pages, a curriculum vitae of up to four pages, an itemised budget and a signed confirmation from the project owner.

Ny-Ålesund Research Station drew attention to the deadline on Wednesday 28 October.

Coverage: Ny-Ålesund Research Station