Arctic Science to Art Contest

 

​

We are now accepting applications for the 2026 AS2A contest!

​​

Early-career researchers, students and northern research assistants are encouraged to demonstrate their knowledge about an issue that affects northern communities and explain their work in plain language. Each year, the contest winner will collaborate with a graphic artist to create a comic strip about their research.

​​​​​

​

For this fifth (2026) edition of the Arctic Science to Art (AS2A) contest, APECS Canada partnered with ArcticNet, the Arctic Research Foundation (ARF) and the Marine Environmental Observation Prediction & Response network (MEOPAR). In addition to collaborating with an artist to create a comic strip about their research, the contest winner will also receive:

• Paid registration to the 2026 ArcticNet Annual Scientific Meeting; and

• A chance to have their research and comic strip featured on ArcticNet's blog or podcast Arctic Minded 

  and ARF's blog Arctic Focus.

​​​​​​​​

​

​​​

Submission Criteria

​

To enter the contest, please submit:

(1) a 100-word plain language summary of your northern research

(2) answers to all questions in the application form

One submission will be selected for an opportunity to work a professional artist who will transform your research into an illustrative story panel.

​

Eligibility:

(1) Applicant must be associated with a Canadian university, college, or other institution

(2) Self-identify as an early-career researcher

(3) Any discipline (natural science, social science, applied science, humanities)

(4) The research must be conducted within the defined geographic boundary

(above the discontinuous permafrost line)

​

Please note that APECS Canada Board Members are ineligible to apply.​

​

Application

Fill and submit the Google Form available at this link. Deadline for submission is July 15, 2026 at 11:59 PM EST.

 

Inspire yourself! Check out our winning comic strips from the past four years below.