Early-Career Professionals Invited to Apply for $15,000 USD Antarctic Research Awards
Early-career persons with a passion for Antarctica are invited to take the next step in their careers with three prestigious international opportunities.
Applications for the esteemed Antarctic research awards have opened today, including the $15,000 USD Antarctic Fellowship from the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO), the Early-Career Award from the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) Fellowship Programme. Offered annually, these awards invest in the professional development of talented early-career individuals, while strengthening global cooperation and capacity in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.
"Antarctica has a unique way of shaping careers, perspectives, and people," said Amanda Lynnes, IAATO CEP and Environmental Senior Advisor. "These awards are about opening doors – connecting early-career professionals with international partners, and hands-on opportunities that can truly transform a career. By supporting the next generation of researchers and leaders, we’re helping spark the ideas, energy, and collaboration that will deepen our understanding of this extraordinary region."
Since 2019, IAATO has supported 11 fellows, helping launch innovative research and long-term collaboration. Most recently, Dr. Manuel Novillo of the Argentine Museum of Natural Sciences’ Institute of Animal Diversity and Ecology has been investigating how fishing pressure shapes the life of Antarctic fishes through his project ‘Frozen Clues: validating age and growth of an overexploited Antarctic fish through otolith microchemistry’ – research that could address a critical knowledge gap for conservation and management.
COMNAP’s Early-Career Award will provide up to $15,000 USD in funding for 2026. Both the IAATO and COMNAP awards enable recipients to work alongside project teams in other countries, fostering cross-border opportunities and partnerships that often continue across many Antarctic field seasons.
Andrea Colombo, COMNAP Engagement, Information and Project Manager, and Deputy Director, said: "Investing in early-career professionals is one of the most powerful ways we can safeguard Antarctica’s future. For 15 years, we’ve supported collaboration, innovation, and leadership at the start of careers — building the expertise, partnerships, and confidence the region will depend on for decades to come."
SCAR’s Antarctic Fellowship Programme will provide four to five awards, each up to $15,000 USD in funding, for 2026. Additional funding is being provided by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation through the Polar Initiative.
Eoghan Griffin, SCAR Executive Officer, said: "Ensuring we support the emerging Antarctic and Southern Ocean researchers of the future, and provide opportunities across all disciplines, is core to the SCAR Fellowships scheme.
"As we approach 100 SCAR Fellowship awards, we are proud of the crucial understanding of the region that the scheme has helped facilitate and the leadership roles that our fellows have provided as they develop their careers. We look forward to another set of inspiring applications."
The application deadline for IAATO and COMNAP awards is June 14, 2026. The Deadline for SCAR’s Fellowship Programme is September 4, 2026.
Additional opportunities are also available for early-career scientists in 2026. CCAMLR’s Scientific Scholarship Scheme supports participation in the work of the CCAMLR Scientific Committee and its working groups over two years.
