Stefansson Fellowship

The Stefansson Fellowship is an opportunity for students interested in Arctic Studies who would like to engage in Arctic or polar research, whether through developing a project with a member of faculty, or by joining an existing research project with a partnered organization. Students may also pursue an opportunity outside of Dartmouth, with a member of faculty to provide support and supervision.

About the Fellowship

Stefansson Fellowship projects can deal with topics in any field of study related to the Arctic or polar regions, and can be either student-led or in partnership with staff or faculty of Dartmouth. Students applying to the Stefansson Fellowship need not have extensive experience in Arctic or polar issues - all are encouraged to apply. To arrange a meeting to learn more about past Stefansson Fellowship projects, or discuss a project you would like to propose for review, please contact Sanaa Siddiqi at the Institute of Arctic Studies at the Dickey Center.

Potential Arctic or polar topics for internships include, but are not limited to:

  • Arctic/Polar Governance & Security
  • Gender Equality in the Arctic
  • Arctic Co-Production of Knowledge
  • Arctic Representation in Arts & Literature
  • Arctic/Polar Ecosystems 
  • Climate Change

Details & Requirements

LOCATION: Dependent on project proposal.

DURATION: 8-10 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: To be eligible for funding, you must have an "L term" (Leave Term) status with the College.

PROJECT GUIDELINES

Candidates may apply to 1) submit an application for funding for a pre-existing research project, or 2) describe their own leave-term project related to Arctic studies. See below:

1) If you would like to join a pre-existing research project with a partnered or related organization, please include:

  • A detailed description of the project, including location, organization information, and what you will be doing

  • A statement of interest for working in the Arctic and relevance of the research to your academic & intellectual interests

  • A description of your personal goals

  • Any prior Arctic Studies experience through course work, extracurricular activities/programs, past internships or research projects (not required)

  • A supervisor statement from a member of faculty who will serve as the point of contact for this opportunity (whether they are directly involved or not)

2) If you would like to develop an opportunity with a Dartmouth faculty member or a partnered organization focused on Arctic studies, please include

  • The relevance of the research to your academic & intellectual interests

  • The responsibilities & requirements of the project & your qualifications to fulfill them

  • A work plan for the conduct of the research to be undertaken

  • A description of your personal goals

  • Any prior Arctic Studies experience through course work, extracurricular activities/programs, past internships or research projects (not required)

NOTE: If a project engages research that involves human subjects, you must consult with the Institute of Arctic Studies or relevant faculty to determine whether your project requires review by Dartmouth's Committee on the Protection of Human Subjects.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

You are required to submit a resume/CV and unofficial transcript with your application at the time of submission. These are uploaded directly into the application.

Budget

  • Standard funding available for travel-based internships is $5,500. If expenses are higher than the standard award amount please specify and articulate where additional funds are needed. Consideration will be given on a case-by-case basis. Please provide detail in the budget outline.

Resume or CV

  • Please submit a current resume or CV.

Supervisor Statement

  • Applicants must ask their host organizations to complete the Supervisor Statement, which verifies your offer of internship and includes a description of the work to be completed.

Recommendation(s)

Requests for recommendations are made directly through the application link. Please begin your application and use the links provided to invite recommenders to complete an online form

  • One recommendation must come from a Dartmouth faculty member

  • A second recommendation is suggested, but not required. Secondary recommendations can come from previous employers, advisors, staff, or an additional faculty member. 

Your application will be considered incomplete if it does not include all items listed above.

If you plan to travel to a country on Dartmouth's list of locations requiring a travel exception, you will also need to apply for and be granted a Travel Exception before funding may be awarded. Learn more about Dartmouth's Travel Safety Policy, Travel Registry, and Exception process here. Before submitting, please schedule a meeting or email Sanaa.K.Siddiqi@dartmouth.edu to review travel exception.

Post-Travel Requirements

Returning interns agree to participate in workshops or informational sessions related to internships. Following completion of the internship, students are required to submit a 3-5 page report describing not only the kind of work done, but also something about the organizational host, the people with whom the intern worked, and how the experience was meaningful.

APPLICATION & DEADLINES

Currently, we are accepting applications for Winter Internships. Winter applications are due Wednesday, October 16 at midnight (11:59 PM).

APPLICATION: To apply for funding, complete the Stefansson Fellowship online application by the deadline.

Please apply here at this link.

Expressions of interest and questions may be directed to Arctic Program Manager, Sanaa K. Siddiqi.