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A new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in support of the United Kingdom-Canada Inuit Nunangat and Arctic Research Research Programme was signed by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, United Kingdom Research and Innovation, POLAR Knowledge Canada, the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Parks Canada Agency, and Fonds de recherche du Québec in May 2021.

With rapid changes to the Arctic climate, there is a pressing need to understand and respond to the resulting environmental, social and economic impacts. The MOU focuses on working in partnership on the development and administration of the new research programme, which aligns with National Inuit Strategy on Research objectives and actions. Broadly, research funded under this programme will focus on changing Arctic ecosystems and the impacts to Inuit communities and beyond, and will explore innovative and practical mitigation and adaptation mechanisms and technologies to enhance resilience to environmental change.

In June 2021, the Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme – CINUK 2021-2025 call for proposals was launched for research projects addressing key themes connected to climate-driven changes to the terrestrial, coastal and near-shore marine environments in Inuit Nunangat, as well as impacts on Inuit and community health and well-being.

The current and future economic, social, cultural, environmental and health implications of environmental changes for Inuit communities are critical. Inuit disproportionately experience a range of challenges that negatively impact social determinants of health including food security, housing, and mental wellness. Many of these challenges will be exacerbated by rapid changes to the environment.

All 13 CINUK projects have representation from multiple disciplines of research, including environmental, social, cultural, health, design and engineering. It is expected that the majority of research conducted by projects will take place within Inuit Nunangat.

Inuit Nunangat is the Inuit homeland in Canada, encompassing the land claims regions of Nunavut, Nunavik in Northern Quebec, Nunatsiavut in Northern Labrador and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region of the Northwest Territories. It is inclusive of land, water and ice, and describes an area encompassing 35 percent of Canada’s landmass and more than 50 percent of its coastline. If any research is conducted outside of this area, it must demonstrate direct relevance to Inuit Nunangat. To this end, in order for the projects to be funded, they needed to demonstrate strong Inuit involvment from the outset in the co-development and management of the project.

On the 11th of May 2022, the CINUK programme partners – Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami (ITK), United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI), Polar Knowledge Canada (POLAR), National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Parks Canada (PARKS), and the Fonds de Recherche du Québec (FRQ) – announced the 13 successful projects funded under the Canada-Inuit Nunangat-United Kingdom Arctic Research Programme.