Completed research programmes have played a vital role in shaping the UK’s contribution to Arctic science. Through ambitious field campaigns, international partnerships and multidisciplinary research, these programmes have generated new knowledge of Arctic systems and their connections to global environmental change.
Many of the scientific discoveries, datasets, networks and collaborations established through these initiatives continue to inform current research and policy today. Explore the programmes below to learn more about their objectives, achievements and enduring legacy within the Arctic research community.
Canada – Inuit Nunangat – United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme (2021 – 2025)
The Canada–Inuit Nunangat–United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme (CINUK) was a unique international partnership bringing together Inuit organisations, Canadian funders and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to support collaborative Arctic research. Guided by the National Inuit Strategy on Research, the programme placed Inuit priorities, knowledge and leadership at its core, funding projects that addressed climate-driven environmental change and its implications for Inuit communities, health, wellbeing and resilience across Inuit Nunangat.
Through a portfolio of interdisciplinary projects, CINUK fostered equitable partnerships between researchers and communities, strengthened international collaboration, and generated knowledge to support adaptation and decision-making in a rapidly changing Arctic. Research themes included ecosystem health, wildlife, shipping, renewable energy, food security, community resilience, and environmental change, with a strong emphasis on co-production of knowledge and meaningful community engagement.
Further information about the Programme and the projects can be found on the CINUK Programme website.
NERC Arctic Research Programmes
NERC Changing Arctic Ocean Programme (2017–2022)
The NERC Changing Arctic Ocean (CAO) programme investigated how rapid environmental change is affecting Arctic marine ecosystems and biogeochemical processes. Bringing together more than 200 scientists from the UK and Germany, the co-funded programme improved understanding of the links between the ocean, sea ice and marine life, helping to inform predictions of future change and its wider global consequences. Further information about the projects is available on the Changing Arctic Ocean Programme website.
NERC Arctic Research Programme (2010–2016)
The NERC Arctic Research Programme (ARP) was a major UK research initiative that sought to improve understanding of the environmental changes occurring across the Arctic and their implications at regional and global scales. Through nine interdisciplinary projects, the programme investigated the drivers of Arctic change, greenhouse gas release, climate feedbacks and natural hazards, helping to improve climate predictions and support evidence-based policy development. A Key findings document highlighting some of the main results from the nine projects is now available, along with a policy report, written by University of Southampton in collaboration with ARP researchers.