The competition for this grant closed March 1, 2024. Awardees will be announced soon.
Fulbright Arctic Initiative IV
The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is pleased to announce the fourth round of the Fulbright Arctic Initiative (FAI IV) for scholars and professionals from the U.S. and the seven other Arctic Council member countries. An interdisciplinary cohort of scholars from each of the eight Arctic Council nations, led by co-leads Elizabeth Rink (Montana State University) and Lill Bjørst (University of Aalborg) will kick off the program with an opening plenary session in Tromsø September 8-14, 2024.
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.
For more information about the Fulbright Arctic Initiative, including application steps, eligibility criteria, and timeline, please see https://fulbrightscholars.org/arctic, or contact the Fulbright office at fulbright@fulbright.no