Norwegian Polar Institute (NPI), Norway

The Norwegian Polar Institute is a directorate under the Ministry of the Climate and Environment, and as such, the institute serves as the Norwegian Government’s main provider of scientific knowledge relevant to environmental management in the Polar regions. Furthermore, NPI conducts mapping in the same regions, and provides professional and strategic advice to Norwegian authorities.

NPI’s research activities are focused on climate, long-range transport of pollutants and their impact on the environment, and on biodiversity.

NPI conducts long term and short term measurement programmes in Ny-Ålesund, and the institute is engaged in activities within all the four research flagships in Ny-Ålesund. NPI runs biological studies and monitoring programs on reindeer, arctic fox, polar bear and marine mammals and birds, studies the effect of long-transported pollutants on Arctic birds and mammals, and is engaged in glacier monitoring in the Ny-Ålesund area.

Holding a key function in Ny-Ålesund, the NPI assists all other Norwegian institutions with their activities there. The institute assesses, approves and hosts projects initiated by researchers from Norwegian institutions as well as by researchers and institutions from countries that do not have a semi-permanent or long-term presence in Ny-Ålesund.

NPI has been present in Ny-Ålesund since 1968. With the introduction of a research strategy for Ny-Ålesund Research Station in 2019, NPI was given the role as the official Norwegian host in Ny-Ålesund. Furthermore, NPI has been given the responsibility for the implementation and daily follow-up of the research strategy locally. NPI is thus the point of contact in Ny-Ålesund for scientific research and associated activities, such as questions regarding the planning of official visits.

Website
https://www.npolar.no/en

NySMAC representative
Kit Kovacs
kit.kovacs@npolar.no

Contact
Geir Gotaas (Leader, NPI Ny-Ålesund programme)
geir.gotaas@npolar.no

Location in Ny-Ålesund