Students in Antarctica
An expedition member standing before an IL-76 cargo aircraft on the Antarctic blue ice runway

The programme

A transformative journey where science, education, sustainability and adventure meet at the end of the world.

Students in Antarctica takes five exceptional students from across Africa to the planet's most environmentally isolated continent - fully funded and fully supported.

Mission statement

Environmental leadership begins with the first step, not the perfect plan.

We believe the fastest way to create a generation of environmental leaders is to provide that first step and let them stand in the place the science is written. Antarctica holds the global climate record under your feet, with seventy percent of the world's fresh water and the clearest record of a changing climate anywhere on Earth.

Our programme removes the barrier that keeps young Africans out of polar science: cost. Every place is fully funded, so selection is based on potential alone.

We measure success not by the expedition, but by what happens afterwards - the classrooms reached, the clubs started, the careers redirected, and the arguments our alumni are now equipped to make.

How it works

From application to the ice

2026 expedition: we are on standby from 10 December to 17 December.

Before the flight south, the five winners are brought to Cape Town and gather at Antarctica House for final briefings, kit up and team preparation. If we are lucky, we meet the Mayor of Cape Town.

  1. 01

    Apply

    Open to Grade 11 pupils from across Africa. We look for curiosity, resilience and a clear plan for the impact you will make when you return.

  2. 02

    Meet at the Ultima Antarctica House, Cape Town

    Equipment fitting, safety lessons and gear collection. If we are lucky, a visit from the Mayor of Cape Town.

  3. 03

    Fly to the ice

    When the pilots give the signal, we leave. This is not a commercial flight, so it could depart at any time based on storms deep south. We are ready for action.

  4. 04

    Up to five days on the ice

    Depending on the weather window, we spend up to five days at Ultima Base doing activities, education and exploring the deep field.

  5. 05

    Return to Cape Town

    Back to Cape Town, then onward to your respective homes across Africa.

  6. 06

    Build the alumni programme

    We work together to create the media content and build the alumni programme that you are now exclusively part of. The trip is the beginning, not the prize.

What's included

All travel, accommodation and gear is provided.

  • Return flights from your home country to Cape Town
  • Pre-expedition preparation and selection camp
  • Full expedition clothing and technical gear
  • Flights to Antarctica and all internal polar transfers
  • Camp accommodation, meals, guiding and safety briefings
  • Media and science mentorship throughout

Who should apply

Curiosity counts for more than marks.

We welcome Grade 11 pupils from registered schools or registered home schooling anywhere in Africa. You do not need a science background or expedition experience. You do need a valid passport with enough pages for a visa, and you need to be able to explain why this matters to you and what you will do with the opportunity.

Apply now