About:
Since 2012, Emerging Leaders has been an early-career Arctic mentoring program for leaders from 18 to 35 years old. The program brings together 30 young leaders from the academic, business, public and NGO sectors to learn about the Arctic in a thrilling journey through Northern Norway.
The program centres around an annual theme and includes a 7-day trip through the Norwegian high North landscape. Along the way, the participants meet with local representatives of different sectors and engage in timely discussions of current visions, trends and challenges in the Arctic.
2026 Program
Applications for the 2026 are now open! The deadline to apply will be October 3rd, 2025 23:59 Alaska time.
The Emerging Leaders program will run in Northern Norway from January 29th to February 5th, 2026.
This year’s theme will be Arctic Adaptation.
Global tides have shifted priorities in the Arctic: funding for research, the role of defense, and trade relationships have changed due to geopolitics while climate change continues to alter the physical and biological systems of the North at an alarming rate.
To face these new challenges and adapt effectively, the Arctic community must stand united. However, who is that community and what adaptation is needed? How can the Arctic adapt across all our differences and to all our challenges?
The 2026 program will explore these questions and how the Arctic community is adapting to increasingly turbulent times.
The program will begin in Bodø on January 29th, 2026, continue to Lofoten and finally arrive in Tromsø, where they will attend the Arctic Frontiers 2026 Conference.
The cost of the program in 2026 is 39,000 NOK without VAT. Please see the funding tab below for scholarship opportunities.
Previous Programs
There have been 13 previous editions of the Emerging Leaders program, each with their own themes, set of mentors, and quirks in their travel from Bodø to Tromsø. Find out more about the journey of previous cohorts.
Eligibility
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Must be no older than 35 years of age at the time of application.
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Must be either
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1) Enrolled in a PhD
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2) A Post-doc
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3) A young professional (i.e. is working regardless of educational background)
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Must either
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1) Live in the Arctic
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2) Work in the Arctic or on Arctic issues
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3) Relate to the Arctic in personal ways (e.g. growing-up in the Arctic)
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Must have funding (see more below)
Application Materials
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Fill out the application form through ‘Apply Here’ button.
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A one-page CV
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A one-page letter of support from your supervisor or superior/administrative responsible
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A 30-second motivational video of yourself answering:
- What do you think is the most important issue requiring adaptation is in the Arctic and what is your role in it?
Funding
The program must be paid by bank transfer ahead of the travel. This cost covers all travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and Arctic Frontiers conference registration. Note that travel to Bodø and from Tromsø is not included. To help cover these fees, we offer a few scholarships, which can be chosen in the application form by ticking the appropriate box:
Arctic Frontiers Academic Scholarship
For PhD candidates, Post-Docs, or Indigenous Knowledge Holders working at a partner university: UiB, NTNU, Nord University, UiO and UiT; or at the Sámi University of Applied Sciences. To apply for this, please tick this box in the application form. If successful, the scholarship will cover the cost for participating in the program, except travel to Bodø and from Tromsø.
Sparebank 1 Nord Norge Scholarship
For non-academics employed within the private or public sectors and based in Northern Norway (Troms, Finnmark, and Nordland). To apply for this, please tick this box in the application form. If successful, the scholarship will cover the cost for participating in the program, except travel to Bodø and from Tromsø. There are 5 scholarships available.
Global Arctic Leadership Initiative (GALI) Scholarship by Global Affairs Canada
For Canadian citizens from all sectors, based in Canada. To apply for this, please tick this box in the application form. If successful, the scholarship will cover all cost for participating in the program, including all travel from Canada to Norway and back. Preference is given to Indigenous and/or Northern applicants. There are 5 scholarships available.
Nordic Cooperation Scholarship by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway
For applicants based in Sweden or Finland. To apply for this, please tick this box in the application form. If successful, the scholarship will cover all cost for participating in the program, including all travel from to Norway and back. There is one scholarship available for Finland and one for Sweden. These scholarships are offered by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway.
Other Potential Funders*
In previous years, different foreign Embassies in Norway or Norwegian Embassies abroad, employers, universities, and other organisations have financed participation for their national candidates or employees. We recommend proactively reaching out to potential funders or to us directly. Past funders include:
- Norwegian Barents Secretariat: Apply for their reisestøtte: BarentsUng: Reise- og prosjektstøtte for unge | Barents Secretariat
- The U.S. Coast Guard Academy – look out for an internal memo
- Equinor – look out for an internal memo
- KSAT
- The Royal Norwegian Embassy in New Delhi
- The Embassy of the Netherlands to Norway
- The Embassy of Ireland to Norway – look out on social media for their call for nominations
- L’Institut Francais en Norvege
- The U.S. Embassy in Oslo
Costs
Will I need to cover any costs during the program?
Your participation fee or funding covers all costs for duration of the program. This includes all accommodation, travel and meals from program start at 14:00 on January 29th until program end at 16:00 on February 5th, 2026.
What costs are not included in the participation fee?
You will need to pay and arrange your own travel to Bodø and back home from Tromsø after program end unless you have received a scholarship stipulating otherwise. Alcoholic beverages are not covered during the program and need to be purchased at one’s own expense.
Do I have to pay something if I receive scholarships Arctic Frontiers or from Sparebank 1 Nord Norge?
You will only have to cover your own travel to Bodø and back home from Tromsø.
Do I have to pay something if I receive funding from Arctic Frontiers, supported by The Global Arctic Leadership Initiative (GALI) from Global Affairs Canada?
No, all travel will be arranged for you and all costs will be covered. However, in some cases we may not be able to book or pay local transport for you, hence, you may have to pay some costs yourself, but you will be reimbursed.
Do I have to pay something if I receive the Nordic Cooperation scholarship by Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway?
No, all travel will be arranged for you and all costs will be covered. However, in some cases we may not be able to book or pay local transport for you, hence, you may have to pay some costs yourself, but you will be reimbursed.
Logistics
Can I leave the program early?
For logistic and practical reasons, it is not possible to leave the program early until the arrival in Tromsø on February 2nd, 2025. Please contact us if certain considerations must be taken.
Do I have to make my own hotel or travel arrangements?
Everything will be taken care of from the night of January 29th (in Bodø) until the morning of February 5th, 2026 (in Tromsø). Should you arrive in Bodø earlier or need to stay in Tromsø later, please contact us and we will help you.
Can you help me obtain a travel visa?
Yes, we will help you should you be selected to participate and require a travel visa to enter Norway. Please contact us.
