Positioning Norwegian Arctic research and innovation priorities in Horizon Europe.

Polar research has not always had the same focus and visibility in the EU research framework programs. However, with climate change and increased activity in the Arctic, the focus and interest has increased within EU as manifested in the Arctic Strategy (2016). This has resulted in several calls with emphasis on the Arctic under Horizon2020. A few European countries have dominated the priorities and preferences in the EU Arctic policies and thereby also the formulation of the framework programs and calls. It is important that the European “Arctic” countries continue to collaborate. Many Norwegian research institutions, universities, authorities and industry have key multi-disciplinary expertise and execute activities in and for the Arctic in a wide range of disciplines and aim at also participate in HE. The proposed positing activities will capitalize on Norwegian participation in Horizon2020 and Copernicus projects and networks at NERSC and other Norwegian institutions, Research Council of Norway and others, including many European project partners. This PES2020 project will contribute to position Norwegian expertise for participation in HE, through making suggestions to the formation of the pillars, clusters, missions and the implementing works programs of Horizon Europe related to multi-disciplinary RTD in and for the Arctic. The relevant project coordinators or project task leaders at NERSC will be involved and contribute to the positioning activities of Arctic RTD towards future HE work programmes. Major activities: 1. Establish a network of Norwegian research institutions, universities, governmental agencies and industry engaged in Arctic research and innovation including technology development and infrastructure. 2. Identify and synthesise Norwegian Arctic research and innovation priorities of relevance for HE through a national workshop. 3. Promote and communicate Norwegian Arctic research priorities to EC directorates, agencies and EU-PolarNet.

Polar research has not always had the same focus and visibility in the EU research framework programs. However, with climate change and increased activity in the Arctic, the focus and interest has increased within EU as manifested in the Arctic Strategy (2016). This has resulted in several calls with emphasis on the Arctic under Horizon2020. A few European countries have dominated the priorities and preferences in the EU Arctic policies and thereby also the formulation of the framework programs and calls. It is important that the European “Arctic” countries continue to collaborate. Many Norwegian research institutions, universities, authorities and industry have key multi-disciplinary expertise and execute activities in and for the Arctic in a wide range of disciplines and aim at also participate in HE. The proposed positing activities will capitalize on Norwegian participation in Horizon2020 and Copernicus projects and networks at NERSC and other Norwegian institutions, Research Council of Norway and others, including many European project partners. This PES2020 project will contribute to position Norwegian expertise for participation in HE, through making suggestions to the formation of the pillars, clusters, missions and the implementing works programs of Horizon Europe related to multi-disciplinary RTD in and for the Arctic. The relevant project coordinators or project task leaders at NERSC will be involved and contribute to the positioning activities of Arctic RTD towards future HE work programmes. Major activities: 1. Establish a network of Norwegian research institutions, universities, governmental agencies and industry engaged in Arctic research and innovation including technology development and infrastructure. 2. Identify and synthesise Norwegian Arctic research and innovation priorities of relevance for HE through a national workshop. 3. Promote and communicate Norwegian Arctic research priorities to EC directorates, agencies and EU-PolarNet.