History & Experience

INTERACT Non-Profit Association is the legacy of INTERACT network, following a collaboration among research stations around the Arctic and beyond that started more than 20 years ago.

About us
INTERACT network 2011-2024
Our organisation
Silhouette of a person with arms raised in front of a hatchet with a yellow background
A person is running on a treadmill in a gym, wearing black workout clothes. The gym has mirrors and exercise equipment.

International Biological Program (IBP) linked research sites and researchers throughout the tundra including participants from Canada, the United States, and western Soviet Union during the ongoing Cold War.

A yellow number five overlaid on a geometric blue background featuring a grid and star shapes.

2011

INTERACT was formed, joining 33 stations in 12 countries, and the first EU funding was granted within EU’s 7th Framework Programme. The overall aim of the network was to provide a geographically comprehensive and excellent infrastructure of terrestrial research stations throughout the Arctic and adjoining forest and alpine regions and to act as a one-stop-shop for environmental information on the terrestrial Arctic.

Cover page of a scientific publication from February 24, 1967, titled 'Science', featuring an editorial about the International Biological Program discussing biological conservation and research objectives.

1964-1974

2001

SCANNET, a network of nine research stations around the North Atlantic was established to facilitate research to understand impacts of global change on the lands of the North Atlantic Region and also to monitor changes in real time. The 4-year SCANNET project was funded under the EU's 5th Framework programme.

Logo of the Seventh Framework Programme with stylized number 7 and text.
Cover slide of a presentation titled 'Horizon 2020,' showing a view of Earth from space with a glowing light behind it, and logos of the European Union and Innovation Union in the top corners.

2020

The third phase of INTERACT was also funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme. Now the network had grown to 86 stations.

Seven people sitting around a glass outdoor table on a patio with greenery in the background.

2022

The network consisted of 90 research stations from 18 countries.

However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in 21 Russian stations being put on hold.

2016

The second phase of INTERACT was funded through the EU Horizon 2020 programme, now being a network of 77 stations.

A large group of people standing outside in front of a red brick building, posing for a group photo during daytime.

2020

INPA was founded to offer the INTERACT Stations a long term sustainable platform to continue to play a major global role to build capacity for research and monitoring throughout the Arctic.

Map of INTERACT research stations in Europe, North America, North Atlantic and Russia.

1964-1974

International Biological Program (IBP) linked research sites and researchers throughout the tundra including participants from Canada, the United States, and western Soviet Union during the ongoing Cold War.

Scan of a page from the February 24, 1967 issue of Science magazine, Volume 155, Number 3765, featuring an article about the International Biological Program and related scientific, ecological, and conservation topics.
A black and white illustration of a woman with long hair, wearing a hat and sunglasses, standing with her arms raised, holding a large bouquet of flowers.
A yellow number 5 with a line through it over a geometric background of white lines on a blue circular background.

2001

SCANNET, a network of nine research stations around the North Atlantic was established to facilitate research to understand impacts of global change on the lands of the North Atlantic Region and also to monitor changes in real time. The 4-year SCANNET project was funded under the EU's 5th Framework programme.

Line graph showing data increases over time from 2020 to 2023.

2011

INTERACT was formed, joining 33 stations in 12 countries, and the first EU funding was granted within EU’s 7th Framework Programme. The overall aim of the network was to provide a geographically comprehensive and excellent infrastructure of terrestrial research stations throughout the Arctic and adjoining forest and alpine regions and to act as a one-stop-shop for environmental information on the terrestrial Arctic.

Logo for the Seventh Framework Programme with a stylized number 7 in blue.
A black and white drawing of a clown's face with exaggerated features and a large nose.
Official cover of the Horizon 2020 research and innovation program by the European Commission, featuring a planet Earth with rays of light and blue space background.

2016

The second phase of INTERACT was funded through the EU Horizon 2020 programme, now being a network of 77 stations.

A Coca-Cola glass bottle with a straw inside, placed on a dark surface with a dark background.

2020

The third phase of INTERACT was also funded by the EU Horizon 2020 programme. Now the network had grown to 86 stations.

A large group of diverse people gathered outdoors in front of an old brick building with large windows and black door, posing for a group photo.
Black silhouette of a cat with a curled tail and upright ears.
Seven people sitting around a glass outdoor table on a patio, with a lush green garden in the background.

2020

INPA was founded to offer the INTERACT Stations a long term sustainable platform to continue to play a major global role to build capacity for research and monitoring throughout the Arctic.

A white ceramic mug filled with black coffee on a dark surface.
Map of the Northern Hemisphere showing various locations marked with red, gray, and black dots, with some locations numbered, indicating different points of interest or data collection sites.

2022

The network consisted of 90 research stations from 18 countries.

However, the Russian invasion of Ukraine resulted in 21 Russian stations being put on hold.