The CharrAdapt project proposes to investigate the adaptation of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus), to the extreme polar environment through the study of population biology, physiology and genetics. As the only Arctic polar freshwater fish species, Arctic charr serve as an important model in which to investigate adaptation to extreme environments, a crucial need under current changing climatic conditions.To achieve this goal, a collaboration between the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Orego n State University (OSU) and Akvaplan-NIVA has been initiated. The collaboration will involve exchange of a US researcher to Norway, exchange of information, data and samples between Norway and the US and a workshop for analysis and evaluation of the data and development of further projects. It is planned that the research facilities available at Ny-Ålesund will be used during the field phase of the project.