Summary

This was an opportunity for researchers based in the United Kingdom to apply for funding to support practical research and engagement with the work of the Arctic Council’s Working Groups, and the priorities and initiatives of the Norwegian Chairship 2023-25.

Background

The Arctic Council is the leading intergovernmental forum promoting cooperation in the Arctic. As the Arctic Council Chair, Norway is actively pursuing an ambitious programme for their Chairship (2023-25). Arctic Council details: https://arctic-council.org/

The United Kingdom has been an Observer to the Arctic Council since 1998. Researchers based in the UK have contributed extensively to the work of the six Working Groups and associated Expert Groups and Taskforces over many years, sharing expertise, working in partnership, collaborating on new data sources and conducting important analysis.

In recognition of the importance of the work of the Arctic Council, and the potential for increased engagement by researchers based in the United Kingdom, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has funded a new scheme in 2024-25. This will support researchers in practical engagement with the re-established work programmes of the six Arctic Council Working Groups and the priorities and initiatives of the Norwegian Chairship of the Arctic Council.

The aims of the scheme are to:

  • support the active and effective resumption of work of projects across the six Arctic Council Working Groups and beyond;
  • provide valuable opportunities for UK-based researchers to share and expand their expertise, for mutual benefit; and
  • support the UK’s role as a committed and active Observer to the Arctic Council addressing priorities of joint benefit.

Project summaries

We have produced a booklet with project summaries from each of the UK-Arctic Council Working Groups Research and Engagement Scheme bursaries which can be viewed below. If you would like a copy, please email arctic@bas.ac.uk  and we would be happy to send you a copy.

4862 UK-ACWG summaries_WEB_Singlepages