Arctic sea ice and open water near Utqiaġvik, Alaska

Applications open

2027 Arctic Discovery Educator Fellowship

10 days in Utqiaġvik, Alaska.

Go into the field with scientists and researchers working in the Arctic. Experience the science, wildlife, landscape and community firsthand. Then bring what you discover home to your students.

We aren't looking for the teacher with the biggest budget.

We're looking for educators who are curious, committed and ready to bring the Arctic back to their students.

Applying is free.

You do not need to have Fellowship funding in place to apply.

If selected and you choose to accept, a $500 commitment payment reserves your Fellowship position. That payment is credited toward the Fellowship fee.

Odyssey Discovery then takes the lead on pursuing program-level funding for Fellowship positions through sponsors, partners, grants and other appropriate funding sources.

You are not required to personally raise the remaining Fellowship balance.

Fellowship details

Fellowship fee: $12,975
Commitment after acceptance: $500 — credited toward the Fellowship fee
Airfare + most meals: Separate

Fellowship funding cannot be guaranteed until secured.

Applications remain open for Arctic Discovery.

The June 18–27, 2027 cohort is limited to 10 Fellows. If the June cohort is full, you are still encouraged to apply. Odyssey Discovery is continuing to accept applications from educators interested in future Arctic Discovery opportunities. Additional 2027 cohort dates may be announced based on program readiness and funding.

Apply for a 2027 Fellowship

Applying is free. There is no obligation to accept a Fellowship position if selected.

What you'll experience

10 days at the top of the continent

Utqiaġvik sits on the Arctic Ocean, farther north than almost anywhere else in the United States. You live in that environment for the length of the Fellowship, not for an afternoon.

Arctic field science, from the inside

Fellowship time is built around field science in the Arctic environment — how questions are chosen, how data is actually gathered, and what it takes to work in a place like this.

Alongside working scientists and researchers

Odyssey connects Fellows with scientists and researchers working in and studying the Arctic. Participating scientists and field activities vary by expedition and are confirmed as each cohort approaches.

Wildlife, ice and ecosystems in context

Arctic ecosystems are studied where they exist. What any group encounters in the field is never guaranteed — the Arctic decides that part.

A small Fellowship cohort

Each expedition is deliberately small, so you are a participant in the experience rather than a member of an audience.

Built to come home with you

This is place-based professional learning designed to be carried back — into your lessons, your students' questions and your own confidence teaching real science.

This is not an experience you could recreate by booking a hotel and flying to Alaska.

How it works

1
APPLY
Applying is free. You don't need Fellowship funding in place to apply.
2
WE REVIEW YOUR APPLICATION
We're looking for educators excited about experiencing Arctic science firsthand and bringing what they discover back to their students and communities.
Your ability to personally fund the full Fellowship fee is not a selection criterion.
3
ACCEPT YOUR FELLOWSHIP
If selected, you'll receive a Fellowship offer and the applicable Fellowship Agreement.
There is no obligation to accept your Fellowship position.
4
SECURE YOUR POSITION
If you choose to accept, a $500 commitment payment reserves your Fellowship position and is credited toward the $12,975 Fellowship fee.
5
WE WORK ON FUNDING
Odyssey Discovery takes the lead on pursuing program-level funding through sponsors, partners, grants and other appropriate funding sources.
You are not required to personally raise the remaining Fellowship balance.
Fellows who choose to pursue additional funding can also use Odyssey's funding resources and Odyssey Funding Lab to explore appropriate opportunities.

What happens if Fellowship funding isn't secured?

Approximately 90 days before your Fellowship begins, Odyssey will determine whether sufficient funding has been secured for your Fellowship position.

If Odyssey has not secured sufficient Fellowship funding, under the planned 2027 funding protection you may choose a refund of the commitment amount paid or, where available and mutually agreed, a transfer to an opened future cohort or eligible Odyssey Discovery experience. Odyssey Discovery does not promise a future cohort that has not been opened.

Fellow-initiated withdrawals, cancellations, participation requirements and other circumstances are governed separately by the Fellowship Terms.

Read the Fellowship Terms

Have questions about what Arctic Discovery is really like?

We can connect prospective Fellows with a previous Arctic Discovery participant who has volunteered to answer questions. Ask in your application or reply to any email from us and we'll make the introduction.

Could you see yourself here?

You don't need funding lined up. You don't need a perfect application. Start by telling us why the Arctic matters to you and what you would bring home to your students.

Applying is free.

Your application

Applying is free. There is no application fee and no obligation to accept a Fellowship position if you are selected.

Basic information

Full nameEmailSchool or organizationRole / titleStateGrade bandSubjects you teachPhone (optional)

Your Arctic interest

We're interested in your ideas, not polished essays. A few thoughtful sentences for each question is plenty.

Why do you want to experience the Arctic?What would you bring back to your students?Tell us about a time you made something meaningful happen even when time, resources or another obstacle stood in the way.

Summer 2027 dates

Which Summer 2027 expedition is your first choice?

June 18–27, 2027July 9–18, 2027 — not yet confirmedJuly 30–August 8, 2027 — not yet confirmedAugust 13–22, 2027 — not yet confirmed

Which Summer 2027 expedition dates could you attend? Select all that apply.

June 18–27, 2027July 9–18, 2027 — not yet confirmedJuly 30–August 8, 2027 — not yet confirmedAugust 13–22, 2027 — not yet confirmedI'd also be interested in a future cohort if Odyssey Discovery opens one

Fellowship funding

You are not required to personally raise the remaining Fellowship balance.

Odyssey Discovery takes the lead on pursuing program-level funding for Fellowship positions.

Fellows who choose to pursue additional funding will have access to Odyssey funding resources, including the Odyssey Funding Lab.

OPTIONAL QUESTION

If selected, would you be interested in independently pursuing funding that could support your Fellowship or additional travel expenses?

Yes — I'd like to explore additional funding opportunities.Maybe — I'd like to learn more first.No — I would prefer Odyssey to pursue the program-level Fellowship funding.

Your answer does not affect your eligibility for the Fellowship. Individual fundraising is not required.

Commitment

If selected for a 2027 Arctic Discovery Educator Fellowship, would you be prepared to make the $500 commitment payment to secure your Fellowship position?

The $500 is credited toward your $12,975 Fellowship fee. It is not an additional fee.

Yes — I would be prepared to make the $500 commitment payment if selected.Maybe — I'd like to understand the Fellowship and funding process better before deciding.Not at this time — I would not currently be prepared to make the $500 commitment payment.

Final details

Required Fellowship acknowledgment

I understand that applying is free; the 2027 Fellowship fee is $12,975; if accepted and I choose to reserve my position, a $500 commitment payment is required and credited toward the Fellowship fee; Odyssey will pursue program-level Fellowship funding; funding is not guaranteed until secured; airfare and most meals are separate; and participation is subject to the Fellowship Agreement and Fellowship Terms. Fellowship Terms & Conditions.How did you hear about the Fellowship? (optional)

Each Summer 2027 expedition is subject to final operational confirmation. Please review the Fellowship Terms for confirmation dates, funding provisions, cancellation provisions and travel-purchase guidance. Read the Fellowship Terms.

Applying is free. There is no obligation to accept a Fellowship position if selected.

Interested, but not ready to apply?

Get Fellowship details, funding information and Arctic Discovery updates.