Application
North Pacific Arctic Conference (NPAC) Fellowship

The North Pacific Arctic Conference (NPAC), co-organized by the East-West Center and the Korea Maritime Institute, is holding its twelfth annual conference in a hybrid physical/virtual format, November 6-9, 2022.  This innovative conference provides a venue for off-the-record engagement among policymakers/practitioners and scientists/analysts regarding Arctic issues of mutual interest to leading North Pacific Arctic states (Canada, Russia, and the United States) and non-Arctic states (China, Japan, and South Korea). NPAC aims to provide early identification of key policy issues and improved understanding of major options for addressing these issues in the context of the Arctic Council and elsewhere. All six states are members of the G-20. Together, they account for more than 50% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions as well as a large share of global commerce.

Specific goals of NPAC are to:

  • Provide a forum on Arctic issues that is globally framed
  • Identify emerging policy challenges and trends
  • Develop a network of well-informed leaders
  • Facilitate an exchange across a range of perspectives
  • Identify Innovative approaches for effective outreach strategies
  • Engage Indigenous Peoples of the Arctic
  • Attract and involve the next generation of policy and science leaders: Explicitly, solicit the contributions of knowledgeable young people who will become leaders in addressing the Arctic science and policy issues emerging in global affairs

In support of this last, critical goal, funds are available to support the participation of a small number of competitive Early-Career Arctic researchers, policy makers and practitioners as NPAC Fellows. They will join a group of world class international researchers and policymakers in addressing contemporary issues affecting the Arctic. This year the NPAC theme is: Taking Stock of the State of the Arctic and Exploring Options for the Future.  We will be able to host 4-5 NPAC Fellows in Honolulu for the Conference.

NPAC Fellows will have the opportunity to interact with these thought leaders and actively participate in the Conference sessions. There will be a Pre-Conference Session designed especially for NPAC Fellows and the opportunity to discuss follow-on activities during that session and over course of the Conference.

To apply, send:

  • A two-page biosketch that must include contact information, education, and professional experience
  • A letter of recommendation from someone familiar with the relevance of your work to the Arctic
  • NPAC 2022 will be devoted to providing a broad-gauged assessment of where we are in several areas and to considering how to restore cooperation and move forward in a politically difficult environment.  Please provide a short statement outlining your work or interest in one of NPAC2022 stocktaking themes: climate change; environmental pollution, Arctic economic development, strengthening governance structures.  Or you may wish to address the issue of future direction for circumpolar cooperation in the current geopolitical context.

Send these application materials to the Conference Secretariat via our online application at Submittable. You will need to create an account with Submittable. Or you may submit materials to [email protected].

Pre-Conference Session for NPAC Fellows:  At the start of the Conference, the NPAC Fellows will participate in a session designed especially for them to provide a venue for introductions and a very short description of their work, lean about the history and aims of NPAC and explore what they hope to gain from engaging in the NPAC process. During the conference they will participate fully and be asked to share their views on relevant topics and engage all participants.  The closing session will include a component where NPAC Fellows are asked to share their vision of the challenges the Arctic will face in the near to midterm future.

Eligibility: Early-career researchers or professionals (five years or less post Ph.D. or terminal degree), or advanced graduate students with professional research experience that is relevant to the Arctic, of any nationality.

Important Dates:

Applications due: SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Announcement of NPAC FELLOWS:  OCTOBER 5, 2022

NPAC Main webpage: https://www.eastwestcenter.org/research/research-projects/north-pacific-arctic-conference

Volumes from previous Conferences can be found at:

EWC https://www.eastwestcenter.org/publications/browse-all-series/kmiewc-series-the-arctic-in-world-affairs

KMI https://www.kmi.re.kr/web/trebook/list.do?rbsIdx=261