North Atlantic Sustainable Tourism Fellowship
Spring/Summer 2026 Only
The UMS Tourism, Hospitality, and Outdoor Recreation (THOR) Institute, in partnership with the Arctic Education Alliance, is now accepting applications for our Spring/Summer 2026 North Atlantic Sustainable Tourism Fellowship. The deadline to apply is Friday, February 6, 2026 and the application form can be found here.
About the Fellowship
We are thrilled to announce an exciting new fellowship opportunity that focuses on sustainable tourism in the North Atlantic region with unique place-based learning experiences in Maine, Iceland and Greenland. This fellowship is designed to support and deepen students’ understanding of destination management and stewardship in remote Northern communities with an emphasis on the importance of local voice in sustainable tourism development. This fellowship will be completed in partnership with Alaska Natives from Arctic Village and representatives from Ilisagvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college.
All undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree, major, minor, or certificate related to the THOR academic disciplines at any of the University of Maine System institutions are eligible.
To learn more about the work of the Arctic Education Alliance, click here.
Expectations
During this spring/summer (March – August) term commitment, students are expected to:
- Actively participate in a travel course in remote areas in Greenland and Iceland for approximately 2 weeks in July 2026* (*passport needed before March 13, 2026)
- Attend bi-monthly virtual meetings with project partners from Maine, Alaska, and Greenland
- Actively participate in fellowship project duties, including: research; data collection, analysis, and dissemination; administrative tasks, etc.
- Participate in culminating individual project at the end of the term to share your work
Award Details
Accepted students will contribute 10-20 hours per month (March – August) to project tasks and virtual meetings, in addition to the travel component in July, which is fully funded (no cost to the student). Students will also be awarded a $500 stipend.
Travel Information
Prospective fellows should be prepared for an authentic, off-the-grid experience in remote arctic environments that require a high level of adaptability. This includes operating with limited digital connectivity and in areas distant from comprehensive medical care. This program offers a unique opportunity for place-based cultural immersions that rely on traditional food systems. While we strive to support all students, the remote logistics and local supply chains mean that diverse dietary substitutions are significantly limited.
We encourage students with specific health or accessibility concerns to contact the program lead early to discuss the specific logistical constraints of the site and determine if reasonable accommodations can be facilitated.
How to Apply
To apply, complete this application by Friday, February 6, 2026.
Questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to Kelli Park at kelli.park@maine.edu.
THOR Student Fellowship Information
Check back for updates in Summer 2026!
About the Fellowship
A collaboration among all seven of Maine’s public universities, the THOR Institute aims to strengthen workforce development and educational opportunities related to the tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation industries. This fellowship is intended to support students committed to applying their experience and interest within the THOR related academic disciplines to connect more broadly with the community.
All undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a degree, major, minor, or certificate related to the THOR academic disciplines at any of the University of Maine System institutions are eligible.
To learn more about the projects previous fellows have worked on, visit our THOR Student Fellows page here.
Fellows will work on project-based outreach and research initiatives during the semester. Some examples of possible projects:
- Connecting with Maine’s K-12 schools by organizing an event (class visit, field trip, career fair, etc.) designed to share more about careers in THOR and the University of Maine System pathways
- For example, some fellows might design a presentation to give at a local school that highlights the many different jobs in Maine related to tourism, hospitality, and outdoor recreation while sharing more about their own educational experiences within the University of Maine System.
- Working with the THOR Institute and/or industry partners analyzing industry trends, conducting research, and problem solving
- For example, some fellows might work on developing a survey to be completed by local businesses to identify workforce development and training needs within the industry.
- Pursuing your own project! Students are welcome (and encouraged!) to submit their own ideas for a fellowship project aligned with their own interests and creative outlets
Fellows will meet with the THOR Institute Program Manager to discuss and outline a plan to complete the fellowship. Since there are a variety of different projects and activities students may work on, and there is flexibility for students to pursue projects that align with their specific interests, fellowship plans won’t all look the same and will be unique to each student.
For Fall 2025, project options include:
- Working with Wabanaki Public Health & Wellness (WPHW) on projects such as campground research and development, developing a Mt. Katahdin Exhibit, researching after school programs, and/or assisting with the development of a botanical walkway
- Supporting Maine Huts & Trails in their efforts to engineer new trails, take on a new energy/hut project, and/or providing grant writing abilities
- Serving as a research assistant on the University of Maine project ‘From Barriers to Bridges: Unlocking the Outdoors for Everyone’, intended to address historical and systemic inequalities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the physical, mental, and social benefits of outdoor activities
- Supporting the development of the Maine Bound Adventure Center gear library on projects such as media content development, marketing efforts related to the launch of the new gear, event planning, and/or other tasks
Expectations
During this fall term commitment, students are expected to:
- Attend monthly meetings with THOR Program Manager
- Actively participate in fellowship project throughout the semester (specifics to be determined at the beginning of the fellowship) and attending periodic meetings with mentor or other collaborators
- Maintain a weekly time log of working hours
- Participate in culminating event at the end of the term to share their work and accomplishments
Award Details
Accepted students working on projects that average about 5-10 hrs/week will receive a $1000 tuition scholarship as well as a $1000 stipend for their work throughout the semester.
How to Apply
Check back in Summer 2026 for updates.
Questions?
If you have questions, please reach out to Emily Zider, emily.zider@maine.edu