Applications for the first Antarctic Fellowships of 2025 open today.
Early-career researchers and scientists are encouraged to apply for the $15,000 USD Antarctic Fellowship from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) and the Early-Career Award from the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programmes (COMNAP).
The annual awards are an investment in the professional development of talented early-career scientists and researchers and aim to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.
Amanda Lynnes, IAATO Director of Environment and Science Coordination, said, “We’re delighted to once again partner with COMNAP to open applications for this year’s awards.
“The Antarctic Fellowship and Early-Career Award offer an exciting career-building opportunity for researchers, so we’d encourage eligible candidates to explore our award resources to learn more.”
Andrea Colombo, COMNAP Engagement, Information and Project Manager, said: “We are pleased to invest, for the 14th year in a row, in the professional development of talented early career persons and strengthening international capacity and cooperation in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.”
Since 2019, IAATO has funded 10 fellows, most recently including Dr Katherine Gallagher from Stony Brook University, USA, and Lucila Belén Morales, a PhD candidate from Andrés Bello University in Chile.
Katherine’s research uses physical oceanographic models to identify areas where krill, the keystone species of Antarctica, may be exposed to or consume microplastic marine debris. Lucila’s research will help scientists understand how skua species have genetically adapted to establish in the polar regions, with a particular focus on how skua populations might respond to emerging climate change scenarios.
COMNAP’s Early-Career Award offers up to USD $15,000 in funding for 2025. Both the IAATO and COMNAP awards enable early-career people to work with a project team from another country, creating new opportunities and often partnerships that last for many years and over many Antarctic field seasons. The deadline for IAATO and COMNAP award applications is June 1, 2025.
SCAR’s Antarctic Fellowship Programme is also seeking applications in 2025. CCAMLR’s Scientific Scholarship Scheme will be open for applications later this year, assisting early-career scientists to participate in the work of the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and its working groups over two years. Opportunities across all four polar organisations are being jointly publicised throughout the year.