SCAR Fellowships 2026 Open for Early-Career Antarctic Researchers

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The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research has officially opened applications for the SCAR Fellowships 2026, an international research funding program designed for PhD students and early-career researchers working in Antarctic and Southern Ocean-related fields.

The fellowship program offers funding of up to USD $15,000 and supports researchers who want to conduct research projects at laboratories, institutes, or field facilities in another SCAR member country. Applications will remain open until 4 September 2026.

The fellowship is widely recognized in the polar science community because it helps researchers build international collaborations in areas such as climate change, Antarctic biodiversity, marine science, glaciology, environmental science, and polar policy research.

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What are the SCAR Fellowships?

The SCAR Fellowship Programme was launched in 2002 to strengthen international cooperation in Antarctic research and support the next generation of polar researchers.

Under the program, selected fellows join a research group or scientific project hosted by an institution in a different SCAR member country. The fellowship supports both in-person and partially remote research activities.

Since its launch, more than 80 fellowships have been awarded to researchers from around the world.

The fellowship is connected to:

SCAR Scientific Research Programmes
Antarctic science initiatives
Southern Ocean research
Climate and biodiversity studies
Polar environmental research
Humanities and social sciences related to Antarctica

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Funding and Benefits

Selected fellows will receive financial support of up to USD $15,000 for research and mobility expenses.

The fellowship may cover:

Economy-class international travel
Living and subsistence costs
Research collaboration expenses
Laboratory and field research support
Scientific exchange activities

Additional funding conditions:

Home institutions must cover visa and domestic travel costs
Host institutions are expected to waive bench fees where applicable

SCAR has also confirmed that flexible and remote fellowship arrangements introduced during the pandemic will continue in 2026 for applicants facing travel or logistical limitations.

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Research Areas Supported Under SCAR Fellowships

Applicants from a wide range of Antarctic-related disciplines can apply.

Eligible research fields include:

Antarctic science
Climate change research
Polar ecology
Marine biology
Glaciology
Oceanography
Biodiversity conservation
Environmental monitoring
Atmospheric science
Geoscience
Polar technology
Humanities and social sciences
Antarctic governance and policy

Projects that align with SCAR science groups and Scientific Research Programmes are strongly encouraged.

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Who Can Apply for SCAR Fellowships 2026?

The fellowship is open to applicants from SCAR member countries who meet the following eligibility criteria.

Applicants must be:

Current PhD students, or
Researchers within 5 years of completing their PhD

Additional eligibility requirements:

The host institution must be located in a different country from the applicant’s country of origin
The host institution must also be different from the applicant’s current country of residence
Applicants must secure support from a host research team before applying

SCAR may also consider eligibility extensions in special circumstances, such as maternity leave or paternity leave.

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Required Documents for the SCAR Fellowship Application

Applicants must prepare a complete application package before starting the online submission process.

Required documents include:

Research proposal
Host institute agreement
Home institute reference letter
Supporting appendices
Online application form

SCAR advises applicants to contact potential host institutions early because institutional approvals and recommendation documents are mandatory.

How SCAR Fellowship Applications Are Evaluated

Applications are reviewed by experts from the international Antarctic research community.

Evaluation criteria include:

1. Quality of the Research Proposal (35%)

Reviewers assess:

Research methodology
Scientific relevance
Project design
Applicant expertise
Host institution suitability

2. Relevance to SCAR Activities (25%)

Projects should contribute to:

SCAR scientific priorities
Antarctic research cooperation
Ongoing SCAR programmes

3. Capacity Building Impact (20%)

Applicants should explain:

Benefits for their home institution
Outreach plans
Knowledge-sharing activities
Long-term collaboration goals

4. Research Planning and Data Strategy (10%)

The proposal should demonstrate:

Feasibility
Data management planning
Clear research structure

5. Publication and Deliverables Potential (10%)

Applicants should outline:

Expected publications
Scientific outputs
Project timeline
Deliverables

Why the SCAR Fellowship is Important for Polar Researchers

Antarctic research often requires international cooperation because of the cost, infrastructure, and specialized expertise involved in polar science projects.

The SCAR Fellowship helps early-career researchers gain access to:

International laboratories
Polar research stations
Scientific field programs
Global research networks
Advanced Antarctic research facilities

Many former fellows continue long-term collaborations with host institutions after completing the fellowship.

SCAR Fellowship 2026 Deadline

The final application deadline for the SCAR Fellowships 2026 is 4 September 2026.

Applicants are encouraged to begin contacting host institutions as early as possible to complete the required agreements and reference documents before submission.