Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research: Visiting Scholar Awards Grant

The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research's Visiting Scholar Awards aim to enhance capacity building in underdeveloped Antarctic research programs. Open to scientists and academics with over five years post-PhD experience, the awards support short-term visits (1-4 weeks) to SCAR member countries for training and mentoring. Awards cover international flights and living expenses, promoting long-term research partnerships while considering virtual applications amidst unforeseen circumstances.

The core purpose of the Visiting Scholar Scheme (previously Visiting Professor Scheme), is to build capacity in countries with smaller or less-developed Antarctic research programmes. This will be the primary aspect evaluated and candidates should consider whether their proposed visit fits with these criteria. Visits can be either to smaller and developing programmes or from smaller and developing programmes, so the capacity building process can be proposed in either way.
The scheme was inaugurated in 2013 and it is directed at any scientists and academics (more than five years after completing their PhD) whose work contributes to the research objectives of SCAR, offering the opportunity for them to undertake a short-term visit (from one to four weeks) to another SCAR member country to provide or receive training and mentoring. Awards will provide an international return flight and some contribution towards living expenses for the visiting period.
The ultimate goal of the scheme is to promote capacity building in the host and home countries and to develop long-term links and partnerships, leading to advances in Antarctic research.
Components of the Award
The Visiting Scholar Scheme provides individual awards of up to USD $5000. The number of awards given by SCAR will depend on the quality of the applications and the total budget available. The amount of each individual award will take into account local factors. We welcome applications that are planned to be completed virtually, i.e. without a travel element to the proposal, and will continue to work flexibly with awardees where unforeseen circumstances impact the timing of visits.

Eligibility

The scheme is for any scientists and academics (more than five years after completing their PhD) whose research contributes to SCAR’s objectives, as embodied in the Science Groups, Scientific Research Programmes and Humanities and Social Sciences.The host institute must be in or operated by one of the SCAR Member countries and must be a country different from that of (i) the candidate’s current position and (ii) the candidate’s origin (although the latter may be waived at the discretion of the Selection Committee).Visiting Scholarships are awarded purely by competitive selection.In order to apply, scientists and academics are required to first contact and liaise with the appropriate host, to secure the support of an organisation or institute undertaking Antarctic research that would benefit from the visit.Both the home and host institutes must be willing to take part in the SCAR Visiting Scholar Scheme.

Ineligibility

Applications received after the deadline will not be considered.