UK Arctic Research Station, UK

The Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), UK, has funded the UK Arctic Research Station which is managed by the British Antarctic Survey.

Contact

Station manager Iain Rudkin: iadk[at]bas.ac.uk

Location

The UK Arctic Research Station is funded by NERC and managed and operated by British Antarctic Survey, and situated in the international research community at Ny-Ålesund on the high Arctic island of Spitsbergen, part of the Svalbard archipelago.

Website

Stations at Ny-Ålesund do a lot of collaboration, read more from here: 
https://eu-polarin.eu/ny-alesund/
https://www.bas.ac.uk/polar-operations/sites-and-facilities/facility/ny-alesund/
https://www.interact-gis.org/Home/Station/13

Facilities

The UK has maintained a research station at Ny-Ã…lesund continuously since 1972. The NERC Arctic Research Station opened in 1991. The station comprises 440 m2 of laboratory, workshop, and storage space plus single bedrooms. Additional accommodation can be provided by Kings Bay Company. The station provides laboratory, field equipment, telephone, computer facilities (fast web link), VHF radios, satellite telephones, firearms, and boats. Rental of snowmobiles for specific projects can be arranged.

Availability for access

Time frame for access preparation

Contact should be made as soon as possible and no later than 6 weeks before the close of the funding call.

Permits, licenses and training

Liaise with the Station Manager on the Norwegian Firearms Permit (please note that permit applications to the Governor of Svalbard’s office can take 4 weeks to be processed). Because polar bears pose a danger, all field team members must be rifle trained and permitted, (the Station Manager will discuss your plans in detail). It is Norwegian law for all rifle bearers to hold a permit provided by the Svalbard Governor’s office. Permit applications must be accompanied by a police background check (issued in your home nation) and proof of rifle training and proficiency. Please note that course, rifle permitting, and police background check costs must be met by the individual/project.Â

Medical guidelines

All fieldwork team members complete the British Antarctic Survey Medical Unit (BASMU) medical forms and book a medical examination with their own doctor and dental check up with their own dentist at least 6 weeks prior to departure from their home nation.  The cost for the medical and dental exams is to be met by the individual.  All field team members will need to also complete the Kings Bay Weapons and Safety course on arrival in Ny-Alesund.