The mission of the Fulbright Foundation focuses on enhancing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. It aims to support educational and cultural exchange activities that will benefit both the United States and partner nations globally.
The grant program, known as the Fulbright Distinguished Arctic Scholar Award, supports research and teaching activities relevant to understanding the Arctic and High North regions. The program seeks scholars from all disciplines, including the social sciences and humanities, highlighting the value of diverse disciplinary perspectives in contributing to our knowledge of the Arctic. Recipients of this award are expected to engage in multiple capacities, including advising and mentoring students, conducting research of their choosing, and participating in public lectures and seminars. Additionally, scholars are encouraged to collaborate with faculty across and beyond their host institutions and to supervise and mentor graduate students. The program offers a stipend to cover maintenance, housing, and research-related expenses for a grant period of three months, with possibilities for the scholars to extend their stay without additional funding from the program. Special features of the award include opportunities for domestic travel for collaborative purposes and participation in educational and networking events organized by the Fulbright Foundation in Norway.