Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) - Fellowship Scheme 2025

The SCAR Fellowship Programme is designed to encourage the active involvement of early-career scientists, engineers, social scientists and humanities researchers in Antarctic research, and to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in Antarctic research. The programmes allows the selected Fellow to become acquainted with recent advances in research and/or to develop long-term research linkages and international partnerships.

 SCAR Fellowships:

Eligibility:

1. Current PhD researcher or within 5 years of finishing PhD;
2. Visiting a facility in or run by a SCAR member country, which is different from applicant's (a) country of origin and (b) current country of residence;
3. Should contribute to the objectives of one or more of SCAR’s science groups, including the Humanities and Social Sciences groups, and/or the Scientific Research Programmes.

Evaluation for SCAR scheme:

SCAR will coordinate volunteers from the Antarctic research community with specific expertise in the indicated discipline areas to evaluate applications.

This will be based on a series of 5 categories, with the following guidance included for potential applicants:

• Quality of the proposal: (35%) - This section will evaluate the overall quality of the proposal with respect to the proposed research and methodology. This will be based primarily on your research proposal and the evidence you provide for its importance, timeliness and how well both your own background and the expertise of the host institute contribute to the proposal.
• Relevance to SCAR and COMNAP activities and/or Groups: (25%) - How does the research you are proposing fit in with the existing research activities of SCAR Groups and Programmes and COMNAP science support efforts? How will you follow up with these activities after the Fellowship ends?
• Does the proposal help build capacity in a country that would most benefit?: (20%) - What specific benefits will you as a Fellow, and your home institute, gain from the Fellowship? Do you plan to have specific Outreach activities at your home institute or elsewhere in your home country to communicate the results and experience of your Fellowship?
• Is the study largely self contained?: (10%) - Has the proposal made it clear that the planned research is well thought through and has a data plan in place agreed with the host institute?
• Is the study feasible in the time estimated and will it likely lead to publication?: (10%) - Your proposal needs to make clear that you have considered the practicalities involved in undertaking the research and that there are clear deliverables that can be achieved.

• Awards will be up to USD $15,000, providing, as needed, economy-class round-trip travel and a modest subsistence allowance for the fellowship period.
• The Fellow's home institute will bear all expenses incurred in his or her home country (domestic travel, visa costs, etc.), and the host institute will waive any bench fees that they might normally charge trainees. 
• In addition to the original SCAR Fellowships, the Prince Albert II of Monaco Fellowship, is a biodiversity award - the recipient will be chosen by the Selection Committee from among the SCAR Fellowship applications.
• Four to five SCAR Fellowship awards will be made in total, depending on the quality of the applications and the budget available.