Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026
As of December 15, 2021, the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 has been released. Thank you to everyone who participated in the plan development process and contributed their ideas. This page is no longer being updated, and was last updated in July 2021.
What is the Arctic Research Plan?
By law (the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984), the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee () develops and implements an Arctic Research Plan every five years. The goal of the plan is to improve the collective impacts of federal agencies in Arctic research. is currently reviewing public input after holding a three-month public comment period. Federal drafting teams will incorporate this input into a revised plan. We intend to release the final plan in December 2021.
Read the Draft Plan (Published March 2021)
Quick Links:
How can I learn more about the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026?
To receive periodic updates on the status of the plan, get notified of upcoming engagement events, and more, sign up for our newsletter. You can also review past newsletters.
During the public comment period on the draft plan from March through June 2021, we held a series of informational webinars. Recordings of these information sessions are available.
Additional resources:
- April 9 2021 episode of Talk of Alaska: This episode featured Nikoosh Carlo (Arctic Research Plan Development Director) and Larry Hinzman ( Executive Director), who discussed the draft plan, its relevance to Alaska communities, and how Alaskans can comment.
- July 14 2020 episode of Talk of Alaska: This episode featured Fran Ulmer (chair of the Arctic Research Commission), Nikoosh Carlo (Arctic Research Plan development director), and Simon Stephenson (section head of Arctic sciences at the National Science Foundation) and focused on how Alaskans can weigh in on the plan.
- September 2020 Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment article: "Innovative approach to latest US Arctic Research Plan" (scroll to the bottom of the page for the story)
How does the Arctic Research Plan get developed?
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1 Review and planning
September 2019 to March 2020
Approval to begin plan development process and secure resources
Develop engagement strategy and begin outreach
Identify Federal Plan Development Steering Group
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2 Development
April to September 2020
Plan Development Steering Group starts meeting monthly
First Federal Register request for input, April 3–August 2
Public input listening sessions and webinars
Workshop to develop priority research areas and foundational activities
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3 Drafting
October 2020 to January 2021
Principals approve plan framework, including policy drivers, priority areas, and foundational activities
Federal drafting teams write chapters & supplementary material, informed by input received from the public
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4 Public Review
March to June 2021
Gather input on draft plan, including through Federal Register Notice
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5 Current Step: Revision and Release
July to Dec 2021
Revise plan
Interagency review
Release plan
Frequently Asked Questions (Last updated June 14, 2021)
What is the current status of the plan development?
Federal drafting teams are currently reviewing input collected during the public comment period, and using this input to revise the plan.
Where can I find media resources?
Resources can be found in our media kit. With fact sheets, downloadable flyers, and social media graphics, this media kit is for reporters, organizations, and others interested in spreading the word about the development of the next Arctic Research Plan.
What input was received during the first public comment period (2020)?
The first comment period was focused on the general content and scope of the plan. received 120 comments through the Federal Register Notice, online form, public webinars and listening sessions, email, and collaboration team meetings. Comments came from a variety of sources, including academic scientists and institutions, Indigenous organizations and individuals, federal agencies, the state of Alaska, and private sector and nonprofit organizations. A synthesis of the comments is available, as is the full list of comments, including links to long-form letters.
What input was received during the second public comment period (March-June 2021)?
The second comment period invited input on the priority area goals, justifications, and potential partners; the foundational activities; and on implementation and metrics for measuring success. accepted comments through the Federal Register Notice, email, hardcopy, and voicemail. The full list of comments with attribution will be made available on the Collaborations website after the plan is finalized and publicly released. We intend to release the final plan in December 2021.
Who is developing the 2022-2026 Arctic Research Plan?
The new five-year Arctic Research Plan is being developed by a team from the member federal agencies.
How were input and comments from the first comment period (2020) used?
All comments and input that we received during the 2020 public comment period are publicly available on this page (see What input was received during the first public comment period (2020)?" above). We did not provide any direct responses to commenters.
We used the information and ideas received in several ways:
- Input was synthesized to inform a virtual workshop in September 2020. The workshop included invited representatives of a cross-section of the Arctic research community, including Indigenous community members, federal employees, Alaska state agencies, and nonprofit and private sector representatives. Participants worked together to identify recommended priority areas and foundational activities for the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026. The workshop report and appendices are available for download.
- Federal drafting teams used the public input comments, outcomes from the workshop discussion, and guidance from the Principals to ensure they had robust information to shape the text of the first draft of the next plan.
How are inputs and comments from the second comment period being used?
All comments that we received during the second public comment period will be made publicly available on this page. We will not provide direct responses to commenters. We will use the information and ideas received to shape the final plan.
What other materials have informed the drafting of the next Arctic Research Plan?
In addition to the first public comment period, when initially developing the draft Arctic Research Plan in 2020, requested that federal and state agencies, northern communities, and international organizations share recent public strategic documents focused on Arctic research. These documents and comments were reviewed and synthesized in order to support the development of the Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026.
What happens next?
Federal agency staff will review and consider all input received and revise the plan as necessary. The revised draft will then undergo a final interagency review. We intend to release the final plan in December 2021.
Who do I contact if I have questions or need more information?
Please contact the Secretariat at plan@iarpccollaborations.org.