INTERACT is uniting research stations operating in harsh and remote areas of the Arctic where climate change is amplified i.e three times the global level, to monitor, understand and predict future environments. The magnitude of these impacts is likely to result in local and even global challenges for society and therefore requires a better flow of information among research station leaders, scientists, local and indigenous peoples, and decision makers. Consequently, INTERACT provides a single entry point for all relevant stakeholders while being proactive in bringing groups together. To ensure that the next generation is better equipped to research and plan adaptations to a new Arctic environment, INTERACT is investing in educational resources and mentoring of early career scientists. Specifically, INTERACT aims for a geographically comprehensive and excellent state-of -the-art terrestrial research infrastructure throughout the Arctic and adjoining forest and alpine regions to identify environmental change, to facilitate understanding and prediction of future change and to inform decision makers about societally-relevant impacts. INTERACT is the fundamental building block and one-stop-shop for EU and international projects, programs and organizations requiring access to northern lands, data and services. INTERACT aims to be a hub providing a rapid response capability to potential environmental hazards. INTERACT is pan-arctic, multidisciplinary and crosses EU call domains by linking to forest, coastal, marine and atmospheric communities. INTERACT is also geographically comprehensive and interacts at a global scale. INTERACT uniquely unites 89 research stations in a Station Managers' Forum that aims to ensure inter-comparability of information and excellent science support. A Data Forum improves availability of data by bringing data providers together with data users. Physical pan-Arctic Transnational Access is offered by 43 stations and virtual access will be offered by 29 stations. An innovative TA User Community stimulates new collaborations and improved information flow while new state-of-the-art educational resources encourages young scientists. Joint research activities ensures close cooperation between the Arctic Council’s biodiversity monitoring program and station activities; develop new drone technology together with industry to enlarge the research stations’ environmental observing footprint; and produces guidance for local communities to adapt to change.
