Supporting Early Career Researchers: 2025 IASC-PA2F Fellowship Awardees
Press release
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) are proud to announce the recipients of the 2025 IASC-PA2F Fellowship Program. Four promising early-career researchers have been selected, receiving support through the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation, part of its ongoing commitment to fostering the next generation of Arctic researchers. This initiative highlights the Polar Initiative support for early career researchers who are pushing the boundaries of scientific knowledge in the Arctic.
The four selected fellows, from diverse scientific backgrounds, will contribute their expertise to the five IASC working groups: Atmosphere, Cryosphere, Marine, Social & Human, and Terrestrial. Through this program, the Foundation supports their efforts to advance Arctic research and international collaboration.
Meet the Fellows:
- Alex Hall (Loughborough University, United Kingdom) – will join the Atmosphere Working Group. His expertise is in remote sensing, high-latitude dust, and satellites.
- Leena Leppänen (Finnish Meteorological Institute, Finland) – will join the Cryosphere Working Group. Her expertise is in snow physics, snow microstructure, and in-situ snow measurements.
- Clare Gaffey (Oregon State University, United States) – will join the Marine Working Group. Her expertise is in phytoplankton phenology and remote sensing.
- Scott Sugden (McGill University, Quebec, Canada) – will join the Terrestrial Working Group. His expertise is in environmental microbiology, biogeochemistry, and deglaciation.
Each fellow’s research will strengthen international collaboration, advancing our understanding of the Arctic's changing environment. As part of the Fellowship, they will engage with key stakeholders and experts, ensuring their findings have a global impact.
A pillar of the Polar Initiative
The IASC Fellowship Program provides the opportunity for early career researchers to become involved in leading-edge scientific activities at a circumarctic and international level, to build an international network, and also to develop management skills.
This Fellowship program is a testament to our shared commitment to empowering the next generation of Arctic scientists and addressing the challenges faced by this vital region. We look forward to following the work of these talented researchers in the coming year!
The next round of applications will open in September 2025. More information about the IASC Fellowship Program can be found here.