The Arctic Visiting Speakers Program funds researchers and other arctic experts to travel and share their knowledge in communities where they might not otherwise connect. Speakers cover a wide range of arctic research topics and can address a variety of audiences including the general public, academics, students, community leaders, and organization members.

Who can be an Arctic Visiting Speaker?

Researchers and scientists whose research/work involves topics within or about the Arctic can become an Arctic Visiting Speaker and are invited to join the Speaker's Bureau by completing the Speaker Profile Form. This form provides the Speakers Bureau with information about research interests and availability. Once submitted, this information will be made available to potential host organizations through the ARCUS website. The form can be completed online or is available below for download as a PDF. You may modify or withdraw the information at any time by notifying judy [at] arcus.org.

Once entered into the Speakers Bureau, a speaker may be contacted by a representative of a host institution to come and speak on the topic(s) indicated within the Speaker Profile Form. When a Host and Speaker agree on a topic and time that is amenable to both, the Host can fill out and submit a Host Application that will be evaluated by the AVS Program Manager at ARCUS. The Host will be contacted not long after submission with the status of the application.

Speaker Expectations

The following is what is expected from you if become an Arctic Visiting Speaker.

Before the Tour:

  • Speaker agrees to fill out a Speaker Profile Form for the Speakers Bureau. The form can be filled out online or is available for downloading below.
  • Speaker agrees to sign and return the AVS contract two weeks before the tour begins.

During the Tour:

  • Speaker agrees to acknowledge the Arctic Research Consortium of the U.S. (ARCUS) and the National Science Foundation (NSF) for their support during the tour. A JPEG image is available below under "Speaker Resources" for use in the Speaker's presentation for this purpose.

After the Tour:

  • Speaker agrees to fill out and return Travel Voucher with necessary receipts for reimbursement within one month of tour. A copy of the Travel Voucher will be sent to the Speaker prior to their tour.
  • Speaker agrees to complete a Tour Evaluation Form following the visit. ARCUS in turn uses the information from the evaluation and furnishes it to the National Science Foundation. The form can be filled out online or is available for download below.
  • Speaker agrees to forward any photographs or media from the AVS tour that the Host may not have.

Available Funding

  • Travel grants are capped at $2,000 for domestic tours and $2,500 for international tours.
  • Each speaker will receive an honorarium of $300 after their tour is finished and all paperwork is turned in.

For further information or inquiries, please contact:

Judy Fahnestock, Program Manager
3535 College Road, Suite 101
Fairbanks, Alaska 99709-3710
Phone: 907-474-1600, Fax: 907-474-1604
Email: judy [at] arcus.org

Online Forms

Speaker Profile Form

Tour Evaluation Form

Download Forms

Speaker Profile Form (PDF - 102 KB)

Tour Evaluation Form (PDF - 51 KB)

If you have difficulty with a PDF download, please try these solutions, email webmaster [at] arcus.org or call 907-474-1600.

Speaker Resources

This image is available for download and use in the acknowledgements of a Speaker's presentation in an AVS tour.
Arctic Visiting Speaker Acknowledgement (JPG - 106 KB) Arctic Visiting Speaker Acknowledgement (JPG - 106 KB)