Nominations open for Arctic Academic Action Award 2026

The 2026 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award, launched by UArctic and the Arctic Circle, recognizes actionable, research-based ideas that address climate change in the Arctic. The award supports early-stage yet practical solutions that prevent, mitigate, adapt to, or reverse climate change impacts while integrating Indigenous knowledge and community engagement. Nominations are open to individuals, teams, and organizations, including self-nominations.

About the Award

The Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award promotes climate action in the Arctic grounded in academic research and recognized knowledge systems.

The award prioritizes:

• Action-oriented ideas

• Feasible and scalable solutions

• Integration of Indigenous knowledge

• Direct or indirect engagement with Arctic communities

It focuses on transforming knowledge into practical, implementable solutions that can move from concept to real-world impact.

Award Focus Areas

Nominated ideas must address climate change in the Arctic by:

• Preventing climate change impacts

• Mitigating environmental damage

• Supporting adaptation strategies

• Reversing climate-related harm

Proposals may address:

• Causes of climate change

• Impacts of climate change

• Localized Arctic challenges with scalable potential

• Region-wide Arctic issues

The emphasis is on solutions that can transition from early-stage concepts to implementation in the near future.

Key Principles

Successful nominations should:

• Be grounded in academic research or recognized knowledge systems

• Respect and incorporate Indigenous knowledge practices

• Demonstrate meaningful community engagement

• Show a clear pathway toward tangible results

• Present realistic and feasible implementation strategies

Innovation is encouraged, but proposals must remain practical and research-based.

Who Can Be Nominated?

The nomination process is open and inclusive.

Eligible nominees include:

• Individuals

• Small groups

• Community organizations

• Established Arctic experts

• Emerging professionals

• Mid-career professionals

• Indigenous knowledge holders

• Teams with established relationships with Arctic and Indigenous communities

Both self-nominations and third-party nominations are accepted.

What Type of Ideas Are Eligible?

Ideas must:

• Be at an early stage of development

• Demonstrate clear potential for real-world impact

• Address Arctic climate change directly

• Be scalable across the Arctic and beyond

• Clearly define the action being proposed

Examples may include:

• Community-led adaptation programs

• Research-informed mitigation strategies

• Indigenous knowledge-based climate resilience models

• Climate monitoring systems with implementation plans

Evaluation Criteria

All nominations are reviewed by an Award Council composed of leading Arctic experts.

Proposals are assessed based on:

1. Relevance to the Arctic region

2. Effectiveness in addressing climate change impacts

3. Movement of knowledge into action

4. Feasibility and practicality

5. Potential for scaling or replication

6. Engagement of Arctic residents and Indigenous communities

Projects that combine scientific rigor with community partnership are strongly favored.

Why This Award Matters

The Arctic is warming at nearly four times the global average, making climate solutions urgent and locally grounded.

This award:

• Bridges research and action

• Elevates Indigenous and community knowledge

• Encourages collaborative climate leadership

• Promotes scalable Arctic innovations

• Strengthens global awareness of Arctic climate challenges

By focusing on implementation-ready ideas, the award ensures that research does not remain theoretical but contributes to measurable environmental impact.

How to Nominate (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Define the Climate Action

Clearly describe:

• The climate issue being addressed

• Whether it targets causes or impacts

• The Arctic relevance

Step 2: Demonstrate Research Foundation

Provide evidence that the idea is grounded in:

• Academic research
  OR

• Recognized knowledge systems, including Indigenous knowledge

Step 3: Show Community Engagement

Explain:

• How Arctic residents are involved

• How Indigenous perspectives are incorporated

• Existing partnerships or relationships

Step 4: Present Implementation Pathway

Outline:

• Practical next steps

• Feasibility considerations

• Timeline for implementation

• Scaling potential

Step 5: Submit Nomination

Nominations may be submitted by:

• The nominee (self-nomination)

• A third party on behalf of the nominee

Ensure all required information clearly addresses evaluation criteria.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Submitting purely theoretical research without actionable steps

• Failing to demonstrate Arctic relevance

• Ignoring Indigenous knowledge integration

• Proposing ideas without clear feasibility

• Lacking evidence of community involvement

• Presenting concepts that cannot realistically scale

Strong proposals clearly connect research, action, and impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who organizes the award?

The award is organized by UArctic and the Arctic Circle.

2. Can I nominate myself?

Yes. Self-nominations are accepted.

3. Are community organizations eligible?

Yes. Community organizations and small groups may be nominated.

4. Must the idea already be implemented?

No. Early-stage ideas are welcome, provided they show a clear pathway to tangible results.

5. Is Indigenous knowledge required?

While not mandatory, proposals that respectfully incorporate Indigenous knowledge and community engagement receive strong consideration.

6. Can a locally focused idea be nominated?

Yes. Local initiatives are eligible if they demonstrate potential for replication or scaling across the Arctic.

7. How are nominations evaluated?

An international Award Council evaluates nominations based on relevance, feasibility, impact potential, and knowledge-to-action movement.

Conclusion

The 2026 Frederik Paulsen Arctic Academic Action Award supports practical, research-based climate solutions that address urgent challenges in the Arctic.

By encouraging inclusive nominations and emphasizing Indigenous knowledge integration, feasibility, and scalability, the award promotes meaningful climate action that can move from research to implementation—benefiting Arctic communities and potentially influencing global climate strategies.