Arctic Frontiers 2026 will feature 5 Big Picture (plenary) sessions. These bring together politicians, researchers, Indigenous communities, NGOs, and business representatives for frank discussions about the most pressing topics in the Arctic.
The 5 Big Picture Sessions are:
The 2026 Mohn Prize will be presented during the Big Picture of Arctic Frontiers: Turn of the Tide. The prize recognizes outstanding contribution to research in the Arctic.
Arctic Frontiers 2026 will feature 7 different science and research themes. These are designed to be interdisciplinary and welcome submissions from natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, law, management, and more. All researchers are welcome to submit an abstract to the session that best suits their work.
The themes for 2026 are:
Monitoring, Modeling, and Mitigating the Consequences of Arctic Permafrost Change
Maritime Extremes: Communication, Uncertainty and Emerging Technologies
High Tide for Arctic Preparedness
Governance and Policy for Sustainable Space Activities
Ocean Observational Pyramid: From Seabed to Space Monitoring
Maintaining and Developing Arctic Observing Capabilities
Arctic Transformation: Climate Change and Cumulative Effects on Ecosystems
Please consult the session descriptions and chairing committees for the sessions to assess which one is right for you. Applications open on August 4th, 2025.
During a week-long program, young Arctic professionals will discover Northern Norway and exchange ideas on the future of the Arctic. Along the journey, they are joined by experienced mentors and meet a variety of local stakeholders. Through meetings, lectures, and workshops, these young leaders develop personal and professional relationships and learn through dialogue and understanding about the diversity of the Arctic.
The 2026 Emerging Leaders will centre on the theme: Arctic Adaptation. The program will run from January 29th to February 5th, 2026 beginning in Bodø and ending in Tromsø where the group joins the Arctic Frontiers conference.
The cohort is currently being chosen. Thank you to all those who applied. Check-in later to find out who has been chosen to join this adventure through the Arctic.
We are delighted to re-engage with past Emerging Leaders participants and continue to support you. Here are a few ideas for how to do so.
The 2026 Student Forum is open to Bachelor’s and Master’s students from Canada, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden. Throughout the week-long program students receive mentoring as they develop an interdisciplinary Arctic project alongside the Arctic Frontiers conference.
The program will run from February 1st to February 7th, 2026 in Tromsø.
The cohort is currently being selected. Thank you to all those who applied!
Our Science for Schools and Science for Kids program run locally through the fall in collaboration with the Northern Norwegian Science Centre. During the programs local children and high school students in Tromsø develop group research projects in their schools. These are presented as posters at the Arctic Frontiers Poster Session. Make sure to check them out and talk to the high school students presenting their work and findings.
The Poster Session will take place in the evening of February 2nd, 2026.