The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Fellowship Program gives early-career researchers a rare opening to step outside their home institutions and conduct Antarctic-focused work alongside teams in other parts of the world.
About the SCAR Fellowship Program
Administered by the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research, a non-governmental body operating under the International Science Council, the program has been running for several decades as a cornerstone of SCAR’s commitment to developing the next generation of Antarctic researchers. Fellows are placed at internationally recognized laboratories, field facilities, and research institutes based in or operated by SCAR member countries, with the condition that the destination must differ from both the applicant’s country of origin and current country of residence.
Funding Size
- Maximum fellowship award: up to $15,000
- Funds cover travel, accommodation, and research-related expenses at the host institute
- Home institute is responsible for in-country costs such as visa fees and domestic travel
- Host institute is expected to waive bench fees where applicable
Who Can Apply
- Current PhD researchers at the time of the application deadline
- Researchers who completed their PhD within the five years preceding the application deadline
- In exceptional circumstances such as maternity or paternity leave, the five-year window may be extended; applicants in this situation should contact the SCAR Secretariat directly
- Applicants must be affiliated with an institution in a SCAR member country
- The host institution must be located in a different SCAR member country from both the applicant’s country of origin and current country of residence
Geographic Eligibility
- Open to researchers from all 46 SCAR member countries
- Host facilities must be located in or operated by a SCAR member country
- The host country must differ from the applicant’s country of origin and country of current residence
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Sector or Thematic Focus
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean science broadly defined
- Research must link to the objectives of one or more of SCAR’s science groups, including the Humanities and Social Sciences group
- Current SCAR Scientific Research Programs endorsed by the Committee
Application Process
Before starting the online application form, applicants must have three documents fully prepared and ready to upload: a completed Research Proposal, a Home Institute Reference, and a Host Institute Agreement. All three components must be in place before the online form is submitted. Applicants are responsible for coordinating these documents independently ahead of the deadline.
Required Materials
- Completed online application form submitted before the deadline
- Research Proposal outlining planned activities, key deliverables, budget, and timeframe
- Home Institute Reference from the applicant’s current supervisor or institution
- Host Institute Agreement confirming the receiving institution’s acceptance of the fellow
- All documents must be compiled and ready before the online submission is begun
Key Dates
- Application deadline: 4 September 2026
- Applicants are encouraged to begin assembling documents well in advance of the closing date
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Selection Notes
- Applications are evaluated by volunteer reviewers from the Antarctic research community with expertise in the relevant discipline area
- Scoring is based on five published criteria: quality of the proposal (35%), scientific merit and innovation, feasibility, contribution to SCAR objectives, and the fellow’s career development potential
