Arctic Leadership Initiative

Arctic Engagement Awards

AY2025 Awards have already been made. Stay tuned for information and the application for FY26 Awards.

The Arctic Engagement Awards include funding support for innovative faculty programs, research, or other efforts that expand UA’s Arctic engagement and visibility, increase the impact of UA’s Arctic activities, elevate UA’s competitive position, and generate new partnerships and funding. AY2025 awards were made in July, and ranged from $18,000 to $20,000.

  1. Dr. Brandon Boylan, Dr. Amy Lauren Lovecraft, and Dr. Glenn Wright will combine UAF and UAS expertise to develop a multidisciplinary North American Arctic Lecture Series and an affiliated for-credit undergraduate and graduate course to showcase Arctic leadership from multiple sectors and communities. Twelve free lectures will be offered in Spring 2025. An additional 90-minute session will allow further discussion between speakers, students in the Arctic Leadership Initiative cohort, and others registered for the course.

  2. Dr. Alec Bennett and Dr. Brandon Boylan, UAF, will direct funds towards creating a new, one-week intensive Arctic Horizons Summer Academy for Ph.D. students that addresses a broad range of Arctic security issues. UAF will host the academy, drawing expertise from security agencies, multiple communities and industry sectors, and faculty across the UA system.

  3. Dr. Nasim Bahari, UAA, will research specific needs and issues encountered in Arctic settings and develop curriculum for a new bachelor’s degree focused on Managing Projects in the Arctic. The research and new degree program will promote UA expertise and increase success among project managers, engineers, and others working in the Arctic.

  4. Michael DeLue, Dr. Margaret Rudolf, and Dr. Kristin Timm, from UAF’s International Arctic Research Center, will create an online course titled Navigating Actionable Science in the Arctic. The course will help scientific researchers respond effectively to the needs of people living and working in a rapidly changing Arctic. The online format allows working professionals to easily build knowledge and skills while showcasing UA expertise to a broad audience.

“These four proposals stood out among a competitive field of 37 submissions,” said Vice President of Academics, Students, and Research Paul Layer when he announced the awards in July. “We were very pleased with the responses and hope to fund additional proposals in the future.”