Students from the U.S.

In summer 2025, we will lead an in-person and remote JSEP program for U.S. students. 

The application for the 2025 JSEP program is now closed. 

Requirements & Eligibility 

Please read this section carefully as eligibility requirements have changed. JSEP is always adapting to the dynamic nature of collaborative and international polar science while maintaining its core values of providing compelling research experiences and cultural exchanges for students from the U.S. 

Any questions about the application or eligibility can be directed to Dr. Jess Trout-Haney (Jessica.Volan.Trout-Haney@dartmouth.edu). Please read the FAQ section below before reaching out.

Grade Level, please read carefully

Remote program: We accept applications from high school students who are U.S. citizens and in their junior year (11th grade) at time of application, for participation during the summer between their junior and senior year. There are no exceptions to this requirement. 

Field program: For the summer 2025 field program**, we accept applications from students who meet all three of the following criteria: students who are 1) U.S. citizens, 2) completed a remote JSEP program in 2023 or 2024, and 3) will be 18 (but not 19+) on June 1, 2025. Due to new policies, this eligibility change is required and there are no exceptions to this requirement. 

**We will revisit our eligibility criteria to best meet program needs, but participation in future field programs may very likely require successful completion of the remote program. We encourage any student interested in future field expeditions to apply for the remote program the year they are eligible. 

Dates & Time Commitment 

Remote program: The one-week 2025 Remote JSEP program will take place in late July or August 2025.  Exact dates will be determined and posted here soon. Students are expected to attend the full week of the program, which consists of daily meetings on zoom and independent work completed at home. Daily synchronous meetings on zoom will last no more than 4 hours and we will arrange meeting times to accommodate time zones of U.S. students as best as possible. Students will also have some pre-assignments to complete in advance of the remote program. 

Field program: The 2025 field program will take place late June into July 2025. We typically travel to Greenland around the 25th of June and return 2-3 weeks later. We should have tentative dates for the program by the fall, which will be posted here when available. We won't know the exact dates until spring when flight schedules are finalized. Students who participate in the field program are also expected to participate in components of the remote program to offer their experiences and insights from being in Greenland.

Program Materials, Cost, and other Requirements

There are no fees or tuition for the field or remote JSEP Programs. 

Remote program: All required research materials will be mailed to students in the remote program. Students in the remote program will need access to a computer and reliable internet that supports joining group meetings with video and audio as well as downloading, uploading, and streaming video content. We understand that internet and technology access is a barrier for some students. If you have any concerns, please let us know on your application or contact us. We will work to support student access as best as possible.

Field program: All travel expenses for the field program are covered except for passports. All students will need to have a U.S. passport that does not expire within 6 months of the trip. Students traveling for the field program will receive a stipend of $1500 to cover the cost of any necessary gear (such as hiking boots), passport renewal, and to offset lost income from summer jobs during the 3-4 weeks of full-time engagement with JSEP. 

Links to Applications

The application for the 2025 JSEP Remote program is now closed.

The application for the 2025 JSEP Field program is now closed.

Frequently Asked Questions 

1. If I participate in the remote program, am I eligible to apply for the field program in the future? 

Yes. All students who participate in the remote program are invited to apply for the field program, as long as they meet the eligibility requirements for the field program.

2. Will participating in the remote program give me an advantage or disadvantage for being selected for the field program?

For 2025, participating in the field program will require that you have successfully completed a remote program. Although we may adjust our policies to best meet the program needs, we strongly encourage any student interested in the field expedition to apply to participate in the remote expedition, as the remote program may become a prerequisite for future field expeditions.

3. Can you tell me the dates of the program? 

We will share dates and updates here on this website as soon as we have them. Arctic travel logistics are complex and require flexibility and patience. Thank you for understanding. We know students and families juggle a lot in the summers.

4. I want to put together the strongest application possible. What classes should I take or what experiences should I have before I apply? What exactly do you look for in an applicant?

There are no required classes or experiences prior to participating in JSEP. We seek to build teams of U.S. students who are passionate about science, open to new experiences, and will be strong cultural ambassadors for the U.S., regardless of past travel and research opportunities. 

5. I'm not eligible for JSEP. Where can I find similar opportunities?

One resource we recommend is Pathways to Science where you can search for fully-funded STEM programs for students of all ages and grade levels.