The NERC Arctic Office and the Science and Innovation Network team in the British Embassy Tokyo are working together to deliver a new bursary scheme to build new partnerships in cutting-edge Arctic science between researchers in the United Kingdom and Japan.
Funded by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology in the UK the new scheme will be focused on innovative partnering projects in technology testing or technology development for use in the marine and Arctic environments.
As the breadth and depth of dramatic environmental change in the Arctic continues to grow, the need for better observational systems becomes ever more important. The recent G7 Science and Technology Ministers’ Communique makes clear the importance of Arctic and polar research in general to the United Kingdom, Japan and all the G7 countries.
This new scheme will provide a total of around £300,000 for a number of partnerships in 2024-25. With a wide remit the scheme will offer significant potential for researchers to put forward innovative, focused proposals on Arctic observation, innovation and technology, contributing to the enhancement of the integrated observation network across the Arctic. It will develop connections at the researcher level, strengthen links between research centres and promote longer-term links on larger-scale initiatives. Although the focus will be on the Arctic, read-across to Antarctic science, especially with dual-purpose technology and innovative approaches, will be welcome.
Applications will be sought via an openly accessible public call after the summer, with a series of events and workshops to promote the scheme, identify opportunities and partners, and provide support.
Further information and a timetable of the call, workshop and networking opportunities, and application deadlines will be available shortly. Please sign-up to the Arctic Office Bulletin here to ensure you receive the latest information on this and other opportunities. If you have any questions or comments in the meantime please contact arctic@bas.ac.uk