The International Polar Year is a large scientific program focused on the Arctic and the Antarctic that runs from March 2007 to March 2009. Norway and Norwegians have played many active scientific, social, political, and cultural roles in the Arctic and Antarctic regions for hundreds of years.

Undergraduate students at any North American college or university are invited to submit essays on topics including, but not restricted to, Norway's activities, research, industry, Sami population, or the creative arts in the polar regions. Additional topics might include polar
exploration, whaling, environmental projects, international relations, climate change, and recreation. Essays may be factual or polemical. Students who submit essays do not need to be at institutions that teach Norwegian.Primary and secondary sources must be acknowledged. The winning essay writer will receive a scholarship award of $500 USD.

Essays should be approximately 1,500 words long, written in English, and must be received by 15 January 2008. Entries should be submitted to Louis Janus, NORTANA President, at: president@nortana.net.

Essays will be judged on quality, clarity, originality, and insights provided. The winning essay will be published in NORTANA's newsletter and posted on the NORTANA website at: http://nortana.net

Questions may be directed to:
Louis Janus
NORTANA
University of Minnesota
Phone: 612-624-9016
E-mail: president@nortana.net