The High North Dialogue Academy 2026 is now open for applications!
The HND Academy is a one-week seminar for young ambitious future leaders with a particular interest in Arctic societies.
“HND Academy 2026: Innovation in the Arctic”
will take place in Bodø, Norway, between April 20th– 24th
Application deadline: February 22nd
About
The HND Academy is organised by the High North Center for Business and Governance (HNC) as part of our yearly conference, High North Dialogue (HND). One of our main priorities for the conference is to invite young people from all corners of the world to learn about the Arctic and to participate in discussions on contemporary and future issues in the region.
Participation in the HND conference (April 22nd-23rd) is an important part of the HND Academy, but participants will also follow a dense program of lectures, company visits, and social activities throughout the week. Our goal is to create a learning platform to share knowledge and build a network for young, ambitious people interested in societal development in the High North.
We invite students, researchers, and young professionals from all sectors aged 18 to 40 with a demonstrated interest in the Arctic to apply for the HNC Academy 2025.
Scenario planning
The students will be schooled in the methodology of Scenario Planning, a strategic tool for anticipating future changes. This is a widely used method across sectors such as security, politics, and energy, and has been taught at Nord University for many years. The Academy is an excellent opportunity to learn Scenario planning from leading experts in Norway.
During the week of the HND Academy, the participants will create four scenarios for what the Arctic might look like in 2050, based on the workshop held on Monday, 20th. Their group presentations will be before a jury of Arctic experts on Friday, 24th.
We are very happy to announce that the workshop will be led by Roman Vakulchuk, Research Professor and Head of the Research Group on Climate and Energy at NUPI (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs).
Preliminary program
Jennifer Spence
Director of the Arctic Initiative at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs, with expertise related to sustainable development, international governance, institutional effectiveness, and public policy. More information: Jennifer Spence | The Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs
Cem Kayatekin
Assistant Professor, IE University, Spain. His teaching and research interests are focused on urban socioeconomic resilience and inclusivity, and architecture and urbanism, amongst other. More information: https://www.ie.edu/university/about/faculty/cem-kayatekin/
Erdem Lamazhapov
PhD Research Fellow at the Fridtjof Nansen Institute in Oslo. His main research interests are in the fields of environmental, climate, and energy security in Northeast Asia and the Arctic, with a special focus on Russia and China. More information: Erdem Lamazhapov – Fridtjof Nansens Institutt
Qualifications and how to apply
The HND Academy is open to people of all occupations between the age of 18 to 40 at the time of the Academy. Send us your CV and a motivation letter where you give a short description of yourself and your interest in the Arctic and Arctic societies, whether it is through studies, job, hobby, reads, future plans etc.
Also, share one or two ideas about the future in the Arctic. What do you think the Arctic will be like in 2050? You can choose the theme/sector (Energy, international cooperation, business, governance, climate etc.). We put emphasis on the creativity in these predictions when we select the candidates. The motivation letter should not surpass 300 words.
Send your CV and letter to maja.w.blomberg@nord.no within February 22nd , 2026.
Financing and funding opportunities
The HNC provides funding opportunities via grants covering the HND Academy participation fee (incl. housing, meals, and conference fees). Transportation to and from Bodø needs to be covered by the participants themselves. The amount of grants is limited and the decision on who will be given a grant is made based on the motivation letter and CV.
Contact information
Maja Wolland Blomberg
PhD candidate and Project manager of HND Academy
High North Centre for Business and Governance
maja.w.blomberg@nord.no
Interested in learning about what some of the 2024 students have to say?
Wen Xibei, China
A two-time visitor, Wen Xibei holds master’s degrees from both China and Nord University in Bodø.
Specializing in global management and international governance, Wen found the academy to be an excellent platform for dialogue.
– It’s a very good platform for people who are interested in the Arctic, Wen remarked.
– I think it’s really a good platform for all of us.
She particularly appreciated the opportunity to gain a more comprehensive view of the region, noting how her perspective on places like Mo i Rana has evolved through her participation.
– I didn’t like it [Mo i Rana], to be honest. But now, I started to love it because I noticed the story behind it, she explained.
This transformation came through exposure to music, culture, and the real-life stories of industrial workers as well as increased knowledge about the Sámi people.
Frida Omø Leth Bak, Denmark
Frida, currently pursuing a master’s in peace and conflict transformation in Tromsø, praised the academy’s diversity.
– They’ve tried really hard to mix a lot of different nationalities, but also different backgrounds, she observed.
This variety, from politics students to reindeer experts, created a rich learning environment.
– I think it’s been very good.
The program’s blend of theoretical learning and practical experiences stood out to Frida.
– We’ve had a task of building scenarios for the Arctic, but then also a lot of visits and like actually going out and seeing, meeting people from the area, she explained.
Lily Payton, United States
Hailing from Washington D.C., Lily’s journey to Arctic studies began in Montreal and led her to a career in city innovation.
She valued the academy’s mix of perspectives, from Arctic natives to newcomers like herself.
Lily found the scenario planning exercise particularly challenging and rewarding this year.
– I think it’s really fun to push yourself, and get out of your mindset.
Lily expressed excitement about the intersection of academic perspectives and practical applications of the Arctic Congress.
– Seeing the merge of academic perspectives. The Academy has been really great!
Read on to learn more about what some of the 2023 participants have to say:
“There was something about studying the Arctic, in the Arctic, with people from and beyond the Arctic, that made for a truly inspiring experience at the HND Academy. Looking around, I was so heartened to know that people around the globe are willing to step forward and do their part for a better world”, Calvin (SG), former Graduate Research Assistant, Arctic Initiative, Belfer Center, Harvard Kennedy School (In the middle)
“In April 2023 I had the great chance to be among the twenty international participants to the very first High North Dialogue Academy. We not only were involved in workshops, practical activities and visits. We also took part – of course – in the conference held yearly in Bodø, High North Dialogue, and met with other experts and scholars from institutions, civil society, academia. We also had a brief face-to-face meeting with Norwegian Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. I highly recommend anyone interested in the future of the Arctic to apply for this year’s edition.” – Giulia (IT), SIOI alumna (here with Anders Oskal, Director of the International Centre for Reindeer Husbandry (ICR)
“Participation in the 2023 High North Dialogue Academy was not just an interesting add on to my professional job, but a great step towards my future goals in my career. I built a network among the participants, which I regularly use in my job, and I got to experience a region of the Arctic that holds great importance to understanding the complexities we meet in Arctic communities and societies.” Kamilla (DK), Research Assistant, Centre for Blue Governance, Aalborg University.
Participating in t
he Academy revealed to me that the Arctic’s influence transcends the 66° 34′ N latitudinal line, with opportunities and consequences reaching beyond this boundary. The Academy not only facilitated connections with brilliant individuals worldwide but also played a pivotal role in shaping me into a more discerning and analytical thinker.” Vladislav (US), Associate Financial Advisor and former student at Alaska Anchorage.
“Participating in the High North Dialogue Academy last year was the highlight of my time as a
student interested in Arctic affairs. The whole week was a great experience, between meeting young people from all over the world, being able to exchange with Arctic experts, and participating in the discussions during the conference.” – Antoine (FR), former student at Université Paris-Saclay