UArctic's operations are financed in many different ways, ranging from governmental to philanthropic support. Below is an overview of our main supporters who enable us to carry out key activities and succeed in our mission.
National funding
Stable long-term funding from governments is a central part of UArctic’s funding. National support varies from country to country, but it is typically targeted towards their own institutions’ engagement in UArctic Thematic Networks, UArctic-related projects, and mobility. Most national funding also supports coordination of activities and programs that benefit the network more broadly.
Canada
Global Affairs Canada provides funding to support Indigenous and Northern leadership and engagement in collaborative research and education initiatives. It also supports mobility for students and faculty of Canada’s northern regions, as well as internships for graduates and young professionals with northern business and industry. In addition, individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Finland
The Finnish National Agency for Education, as part of the Ministry of Education and Culture, provides funding for student mobility under the north2north program. In addition, individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Iceland
Individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Kingdom of Denmark
The Danish Agency for Science and Higher Education funds projects run by Danish, Faroese and Greenlandic institutions, and provides north2north mobility funding for students and staff. The funding also includes annual internship placements at the UArctic International Secretariat and the UArctic Thematic Networks and Research Liaison Office. In addition, the Danish funding helps support UArctic’s day-to-day operations. In addition, individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Norway
The Ministry of Education and Research funds north2north scholarships for students and staff, and funding for project activities run by Norwegian institutions. The ministry also funds the position of the UArctic President and contribute to the north2north International Coordination Office. In addition, individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Russia
Individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Sweden
The Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fund north2north scholarships for students and staff. In addition, individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
United States
Individual member institutions fund their own participation in various UArctic activities, including hosting UArctic leadership functions.
Office and staff hosting
UArctic’s core operations and distributed leadership are organized through cooperation agreements between UArctic and individual member institutions. These institutions host the network’s central functions and positions, benefiting UArctic as an association and supporting our purpose.
List of host institutions and functions
GRID-Arendal
University of Lapland
- UArctic International Secretariat
- UArctic Vice-President Organization
University of Oulu
- UArctic Thematic Networks and Research Liaison Office
- UArctic Vice-President Research
- UArctic Vice-President Networks
UiT The Arctic University of Norway
- UArctic north2north International Coordination Office
- UArctic Vice-President Mobility
Northern (Arctic) Federal University
- UArctic Research Office
- UArctic Vice-President Interregional Cooperation
Memorial University of Newfoundland
- UArctic Vice-President Finance, Development and Engagement
Nunavut Arctic College
- UArctic Vice-President Indigenous
University of Alaska Anchorage
- UArctic Vice-President Academic
North-Eastern Federal University
- UArctic Russian Information Office
University of Iceland
- UArctic Philanthropy Manager
Harbin Institute of Technology
- UArctic-HIT Training Centre (UArctic regional centre in China)
Project funding
Over the years, UArctic has received support from many national and international funding bodies for targeted project activities. The projects are run by the applying member institution, usually with several other members as partners, and they are often linked to a UArctic Thematic Network.
Heal Fund (UArctic founders fund)
The Heal Fund honours the memory of Bill Heal, the person behind the original idea of UArctic. Established with the generous donations from his family and other founders of UArctic, the founders’ fund supports such critical areas as fostering collaboration across borders and supporting the careers of early-career researchers.
List of donors to the Heal Fund
Family of Bill and Elsie Heal
Riitta Aikio
Asgeir Brekke
Leif Christoffersen
Johan Daniel Hætta
Janne Hukkinen
Paula Kankaanpää
Lars Kullerud
Richard Langlais
Lauri Lantto
Guy Lindström
Audrey McLaughlin
Paul Reichardt
Lars-Otto Reiersen
Larissa Riabova
Esko Riepula
Rune Rydén
Scandinavian Seminar / In honour of Erling Olsen, Olav Hesjedal, Rune Rydén, Leif Christoffersen
Outi Snellman
Stefansson Arctic Institute
David Stone
Knut Vollebaek
Sally Webber
5 founders wishing to stay anonymous
Major philanthropic supporters
Some individuals and organizations have a relationship with UArctic that extends beyond membership or usual engagement. Their ambitions align with UArctic’s mission, and over the years they have provided consistent financial support towards our work.
List of major supporters
- Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
- Frederik Paulsen
- Scandinavian Seminar
