August 13, 2025

USARC Releases “Research Needs for a Secure and Prosperous Arctic”

Building off the recently announced White House Arctic research implementation plan, the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) has released a brief report that identifies future research needs in the Arctic region to advance American security and prosperity.

This report will inform the development of the next federal five-year Arctic research plan, for 2027-2031, that will be developed by the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), as described in a recent notice in the Federal Register.

After emphasizing the value and importance of the Arctic region, the Commission’s report, focuses on strengthening national security, and identifies research topics within four key sectors: military, community, energy, and economy. These sectors are linked to both domestic and foreign policy, ideally in a mutually reinforcing manner.

The report also provides two overarching themes. The first is how rapid advances in technology will enable unprecedented capabilities to observe and understand the Arctic. The second is ensuring that the knowledge of Arctic residents, and opportunities for them to participate in and lead research are vital for developing effective solutions in each of the four security sectors.

The USARC is an independent federal agency established by the Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984, as amended, and assigned specific duties therein. The Commission develops and recommends Arctic research priority areas and practices, implements an integrated national Arctic research policy, and builds cooperative links in Arctic research within the federal government, with the State of Alaska, with Tribes and Alaska Native Organizations, and with international partners.

Visit the USARC at www.arctic.gov and subscribe to our daily electronic newsletter, the “Arctic Update,” which provides news and information about recent events, conferences, and research initiatives.