D7.1 Policy support for the Arctic Science Funders Forum

A better coordinated and integrated, more useful and more equitable pan-Arctic Observing System of Systems (pan-AOSS) is needed to monitor effectively the rapidly advancing environmental and climate- related changes in the Arctic, with sustained funding being essential to its success. With the diverse expertise of the Arctic PASSION consortium, recommendations were formulated summarising concretely what needs to be funded for a long-term pan-AOSS. In Arctic PASSION’s Work Package 7, the first step towards this goal was a dialogue with the Arctic Science Funders Forum (ASFF). In a closed workshop with the members of the ASFF, we learned about challenges and possibilities for a sustainable pan-AOSS from a funder’s perspective. Main challenges are the complexity of organising international funding programmes, as most funding streams are coordinated nationally and comply with national priorities. Additionally, funded research activities are mostly short-term and project- based. However, on the positive side, some specific research needs can be covered by these short- term funding programmes and if research goals are based on clear societal relevance, it is easier to justify and receive funding. Also, ways to combine open access with data sovereignty were shared showing that this topic is high on the agenda.

The effort towards an improved and sustained pan-AOSS is of ongoing relevance and Arctic PASSION’s dialogue with the ASFF was very helpful in that process. There might also be potential in looking into other funding areas, such as environmental agencies that fund time series and monitoring programmes. Generally, the Arctic PASSION recommendations were supported by the funding agencies and there was a willingness to work together internationally, even when the countries could not offer funding support.