The goal is to acknowledge and support work that contributes materially to preventing, reversing or mitigating the effects of climate change in the Arctic in one or more of the following categories:

  • Technological developments that can be accomplished through effective planning and practical implementation
  • Initiatives that empower resident Arctic communities to take greater control in managing their own environments
  • Reforms to policy, regulatory, and/or legislative arrangements

Nominees should propose ideas that are action and solution oriented. These ideas should nevertheless be grounded in academic research and scholarship, while also, where appropriate, giving due regard to the knowledge practices of Arctic residents, including Indigenous peoples. Nominations should describe a problem and action(s) to solve that problem that could have results scalable to the entire Arctic region, and potentially beyond. We are looking for bright ideas from people with a demonstrable drive to see something achievable happen, and in the near future. Nominations that are focused on the Arctic, for the Arctic and with the Arctic will be given priority.

The call for nominations is inclusive and open to all. They can come from individuals, community groups and organizations; universities and other institutions of higher education, research institutes, non-governmental and governmental entities, private and public sectors. Self-nominations are accepted, as well as nominations from others in support of the nominee(s).

Evaluation Criteria

Nominations will be reviewed by the Award Council made up of leading Arctic experts from around the globe. Evaluations will be based on:

Relevance to the Arctic

  • Does the nomination address the immediate impact of climate change on the Arctic?
  • Does the idea involve Arctic residents directly or indirectly and to what extent?
  • How will the award be used to help the people of the Arctic?

Moving Knowledge to Action

  • Does the nomination take basic knowledge and propose meaningful action?
  • Is the idea grounded in accepted scientific knowledge, academic or other knowledge systems?
  • Could the idea solve a critical/important problem?

Feasibility

  • Does the nomination outline a reasonable and achievable path forward to action?
  • Does the nomination address likely risks or impediments to the proposed outcome?
  • Are the parties involved capable of carrying out the idea?
  • Do the letters of support add credibility to the idea?

Impact

  • Does the idea show potential for improved conditions for the Arctic region?
  • Would the idea be achievable in the near term or long term?
  • Is the idea scalable to the full Arctic?
  • Does the idea have the potential to go beyond the Arctic?

In addition, nominations for the institutional collaboration catalyzing award will also be evaluated on potential long-term impacts/benefits of the collaboration/partnership on the institutions involved and beyond.

Nomination Process

Nominations should be submitted by May 17, 2022 for full consideration using the online application form. After the nomination is checked for completeness and that instructions were properly followed, the nominator will receive a confirmation email indicating the nomination was accepted for evaluation. If you do not receive a confirmation email within a few days of submission, please send an inquiry to aaaa@uarctic.org. This extra step is to ensure the nominator that the nomination was received properly. 

Nomination materials:

  • Nominee(s) name and contact information
  • Nominator's name and contact information
  • Description of idea (1500 words max)
  • Evidence of feasibility (500 words max)
  • How the award will help implement the idea (250 words max)
  • Nominator's rationale for the nomination (500 words max)
  • CVs for nominees (max 2 pages each)
  • Up to 3 letters of support for the nomination
  • Optional: Additional information (max 10 pages), e.g. website link, press releases, links to videos, further description of the idea

Additional requirements for nominations for the institutional collaboration award:

  • Nominations must include at least two UArctic members and may also include non-member entities.
  • Nominations should either come from university/institution leadership and/or have additional letter(s) of support from leadership demonstrating the how the leadership will support the development of the collaborative idea/action nominated.
  • Nominations should also provide a brief description of the benefits of the collaboration to the institution(s) involved (500 words max).

For questions about the nomination process, contact Jenny Baeseman at aaaa@uarctic.org.

Nominations must be complete, follow instructions and be submitted in English. Incomplete nominations or nominations that do not follow instructions will not be considered.

Submit your nomination here

Timeline

March 17 - Call for nominations opens
May 17 - Call for nominations closes
May 31 - First round review of nominations completed
June 15 - Second round review of nominations completed
June 30 - Recommendations/rankings completed
Oct 13-16 - Winners announced at Arctic Circle Assembly