Objectives
The main aim of this research area is to support research collaboration among participating countries in the Arctic region to bring forward new knowledge on how to ensure the sustainable development of the Arctic.
The objective is to jointly fund interdisciplinary research projects of the highest international quality, with potential for impact and societal relevance, and with clear added value from multilateral collaboration.
In addition, the following aims are central:
- Interdisciplinarity
- Sustainable development
- Arctic Added Value
- Indigenous perspectives
Background
The Arctic region has for several years undergone rapid changes with far-reaching and profound consequences on many areas and continues to do so. A key driver for this is the climate change, which is happening faster in the Arctic region than in the rest of the world, with a temperature rise that is three to four times higher than the global average. The climate change has a direct and significant impact on the ecosystems, the local communities, and the traditional ways of living. The declining Arctic Sea ice has moreover opened new transport routes, new and wider opportunities for resource extraction and generally resulted in an increased international interest in the region. Other drivers of change, sometimes reinforced by the climate change, are technology development, migration, tourism, demographic changes, and changes in the geopolitical situation. International relations, strategies and security issues involving both Arctic and non-Arctic states are of high importance, as is how cooperation may develop in the Arctic region and across the national borders.
Funding
Available budget for Nordic partners: up to NOK 190 million.
Available budget for Canadian partners: up to 20 million CA.
Committee
The Research Council of Norway
The Research Council of Finland
The Swedish Research Council
FORMAS – Swedish Research Council for Sustainable Development
The Independent Research Fund Denmark
The Research Council Faroe Islands
The Greenland Research Council
The Icelandic Centre for Research, with funding from the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation
The Canada Research Coordinating Committee (Canada)
