Arctic Connections Fund: form and guidance

Overview

The Arctic Connections Fund was established in 2021 to help Scottish organisations and communities collaborate with partners in the Arctic. It promotes exchange of expertise on shared issues and stimulates cooperation around common ambitions.

The fund supports initiatives including (but not limited to) community projects, seminars and conferences, hackathons and workshops, and academic research. Projects that set the scene for longer-term initiatives are also eligible.

Scotland-based organisations can apply for a minimum of £1,000 and maximum of £10,000. The total available budget for the fund in the 2023 to 2024 financial year is £80,000. 

Completed applications must be emailed to europeanengagement@gov.scot and must be received no later than 17:00 BST on 12 May 2023. An automated acknowledgement will be sent on receipt of applications.

Applications will be assessed using a competitive scoring process based on the criteria and priorities outlined below. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of the assessment in mid-June. Grant offer letters will be issued to successful applicants and feedback will be provided to those who were unsuccessful. Projects are expected to begin from 1 July and must be completed by 31 March 2024. Please note that a single grant payment will be made in arrears on completion of the project.

If you have questions regarding the Arctic Connections Fund that are not answered in this guidance, please contact europeanengagement@gov.scot. We will also be running two virtual information sessions on 30 March and 6 April 2023. You can register online. 

Background

In 2019, we published Arctic Connections, Scotland’s first Arctic policy framework. The document reviews links between Scotland and the Arctic region, reflects on Scottish-Arctic similarities and encourages greater cooperation on shared challenges, with a view to developing joint solutions for the mutual benefit of Scottish and Arctic communities. The policy framework includes a commitment to creating a fund supporting international collaborations between Scottish and Arctic partners.

From academic research and trade exchanges, to cultural partnerships and public policy-making, Scotland has established deep and diverse links with its Arctic neighbours.

As well as raising awareness of Scottish-Arctic connections, the fund encourages further mutual learning in areas – especially those covered in the policy framework – where Scotland and the Arctic share similar challenges and can learn from each other.

The inaugural funding round in 2021 to 2022 awarded 12 grants totalling £105,000, and the second funding round in 2022 to 2023 awarded 10 grants totalling £90,000. You can read more about the successful projects.

Key dates

• application process open – Friday 17 March 2023
• closing date for applications - 17:00 BST on 12 May 2023
• applicants notified of the outcome and grant offer letter issued to successful applicants – mid-June 2023
• project start dates - from 1 July 2023
• project end date and deadline for claiming payment - 31 March 2024