The Polaris Project tackles one of humanity’s greatest challenges – global climate change – in one of Earth’s most remote and vulnerable environments: the Arctic.

We probe the vast quantities of ancient carbon locked-up in Arctic permafrost, investigating its fate as the earth warms. Will it remain in the ground as it has for thousands of years, or will the carbon be released to the atmosphere as permafrost thaws, fueling additional warming?

We engage the brightest young minds from a diversity of backgrounds, propelling them on trajectories to solve the most pressing scientific and societal challenges.

And we engage the public and decision makers, using the example of the Arctic to captivate, educate, and inform.

We are the Polaris Project. Join us.

Please see our announcement concerning the 2024 application!

Alumni, please apply for the 2023 John Schade Memorial Fund!