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.
A Message from the 2026 Cohort
These are short videos produced by the Emerging Leaders 2026 participants. They develop the script themselves through a consensus building process. The videos are shown during the Big Picture sessions at the Arctic Frontiers conference.
In these videos, the Emerging Leaders call for action to safeguard Arctic coastal communities, to build up local infrastructure and to invest in local economies.
These were filmed by William Jakobsen.
2027 Program
The Emerging Leaders program will run in Northern Norway from January 28th to February 4th, 2027. The program will begin in Bodø, continue to Lofoten and finally arrive in Tromsø, where they will attend Arctic Frontiers 2027: Information/Disinformation.
Applications for the program will open on August 24th, 2026 and close on October 5th.
The participation fee for the 2027 program is 42 000 NOK excluding VAT. Please see the funding tab below for scholarship opportunities.
Navigating Noise
The theme for Emerging Leaders 2027 is Navigating Noise.
We live in a rapidly changing world shaped by constant streams of information and growing distances between perspectives. The Arctic is in the spotlight and faces major challenges. The ability to listen, communicate and engage in constructive dialogue across science, business, communities and policy is more important than ever.
We invite young professionals across borders and disciplines to explore the role of individual voices in collectively shaping the future of the pan-Arctic region. How can we ensure inclusive and trustful conversations when building resilient Arctic communities? What solutions and experiences can we incorporate from across sectors?
The program will explore how we can navigate the noise and create the best possible terms for knowledge-based Arctic discussions.
Previous Programs
There have been 15 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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enrolled in a PhD
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a Post-doc
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a young professional (i.e. is working regardless of educational background)
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Must either
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live in the Arctic;
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work in the Arctic or on Arctic issues;
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and/or relate to the Arctic in personal ways (for example, growing up in the Arctic)
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Must have funding – see below
Application Materials
You may fill out the application form through ‘Apply Here’ button when the call for applications is launched. In addition to background information which will guide us in our selection process, the following materials are to be included:
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a one-page CV
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a 30-second motivational video of yourself answering the following question:
What do you think is the main challenge to knowledge-based discussions in the Arctic, and what is your role in meeting this challenge?
Note that, when applying, you must also confirm that you have received support/permission from your supervisor or superior/administrative responsible to attend the Emerging Leaders program.
Funding
The program must be paid by bank transfer ahead of the travel. The cost of the program covers all travel expenses, accommodation, meals, and Arctic Frontiers conference registration. Note that travel to Bodø and from Tromsø is not included, unless otherwise specified. To help cover these fees, we offer some scholarships, which can be chosen in the application form by ticking the appropriate box:
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.
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, but are not limited to:
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Norwegian Barents Secretariat: apply for their travel support here.
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The U.S. Coast Guard Academy
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Equinor
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KSAT
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Norwegian Meteorological Institute
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The Embassy of the Netherlands to Norway
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The Embassy of Ireland to Norway
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L’Institut Francais en Norvege
Several of the funders we cooperate with hold internal calls for applicants, or advertise the stipends on social media; we encourage you to actively look out for such communication if you are eligible.
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, meals, and the Arctic Frontiers conference registration from program start at 14:00 on January 28th until program end at 16:00 on February 4th, 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 a scholarship 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.
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 1st, 2027. 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 28th (in Bodø) until the morning of February 4th, 2027 (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.
