The Arctic Research Consortium of the US (ARCUS) Early Career Conference Funding Award supports US-based, early career researchers and students to participate in meetings and events relevant to Arctic research, since 2020. Funding for these awards is made possible through the National Science Foundation’s Arctic Sciences Section (PLR #1928794). The first three award cycles during 2020–early 2022 supported virtual conference attendance due to COVID-19 related travel restrictions and transitioned to in-person travel in fall 2022. The forthcoming fall 2024 funding awards will cover registration fees, travel, and other relevant expenses related to in-person conference attendance for an Alaska-based conference, with the intention of providing an Alaska-based experience and connection to Alaska Native research priorities and values for early-career researchers.

Fall 2024 Award applicants will choose between two fall conferences:

This award also aims to specifically increase participation of early career, underrepresented minorities (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color; BIPOC) in Arctic research. Preference will be given to:

  1. BIPOC applicants;
  2. New applicants to the ARCUS Early Career Conference Funding Award (previous awardees are eligible, however); and
  3. Applicants who are new to Arctic research and/or have never had the opportunity to attend an Arctic-themed conference or meeting. This award is for conference attendance and participation—submitting an abstract will be optional. Prior experience in Arctic research is not required. In the event of COVID-19 related travel complications, ARCUS will work with each awardee individually to accommodate necessary schedule or travel changes.

The Fall 2024 Early Career Conference Funding Award application period is closed

The deadline for submitting an award application closed at 5:00 p.m. Alaska time, Thursday, 1 August 2024. Award notifications are anticipated to be announced by 15 August 2024.

Qualifications and Requirements

  • Applicants should be early-career, defined for this award as a student (undergraduate or graduate) or within six years of terminal degree

  • US-based (US citizenship not required)

  • Eligible expenses include airfare, per diem, lodging, conference registration, and other relevant expenses upon approval, which will be either paid directly or reimbursed by ARCUS

  • Awardees will complete a brief follow-up survey about their experience

Call For Applications - CLOSED

The Fall 2024 Early Career Conference Funding Award application period was open 19 June–1 August 2024. Successful applicants will be selected by a volunteer selection committee and notified of award acceptance in mid-August. You can find the application in the upper right corner of this webpage. For questions, please contact Lisa Sheffield Guy, ARCUS at lisa [at] arcus.org.

Early Career Conference Funding Award Selection Committee 2020–2024

Lavanya Ashokkumar, University of Arizona and Association of Early Career Polar Scientists (APECS)
Claire Griffin, Southern Oregon University
Julie Loisel, Texas A & M University
Josephine-Mary Sam, University of Alaska Fairbanks
Onema Adojoh, Northwest Missouri State University
Lisa Sheffield Guy, Arctic Research Consortium of the US
Stacey Stoudt, Arctic Research Consortium of the US