About Us

Founded in 2008, the Cooperative Institute for Alaska Research (CIFAR) conducts ecosystem and environmental research related to Alaska and its associated Arctic regions, including the Gulf of Alaska, Bering Sea, Chukchi/Beaufort Seas, and Arctic Ocean. CIFAR continues to facilitate the developed long-term collaboration between NOAA and the University of Alaska begun under the Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research in 1994, within which targeted research, technology, education and outreach can be developed and sustained. CIFAR plays a central role in communication and coordination between NOAA, researchers, management agencies, non-governmental organizations, Alaska communities, and the general public in collaborative research, education and outreach efforts.

CIFAR conducts research in three thematic areas: (1) Ecosystem Function - Gain sufficient knowledge of Alaskan ecosystems to forecast their response to both natural and anthropogenic change; (2) Coastal Hazards - Improve understanding of coastal hazards, storms, and tsunamis that affect Alaska's population, ecosystems and coast to improve weather forecast and warning accuracy; and (3) Climate Change and Variability - Foster climate research targeted at societal needs and advance Arctic climate research to improve predictive capacity of climate variations affecting coastal regions and ecosystems.

As one of 21 Cooperative Institutes in 17 states, CIFAR's research activities assist NOAA in four of its Mission Goals: (1) Protect, restore, and manage the use of coastal and ocean resources through an ecosystem approach to management; (2) Understand climate variability and change to enhance society's ability to plan and respond; (3) Serve society's needs for weather and water information; and (4) Support the Nation's commerce with information for safe, efficient, and environmentally sound transportation.

CIFAR is closely affiliated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Center for Global Change and Arctic System Research, a campus-wide forum for discussing and acting on global change issues. In addition, CIFAR operated the secretariat for the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, an international project under the auspices of the Arctic Council designed to evaluate and synthesize knowledge on climate variability, climate change, and increased ultraviolet radiation and their consequences.

CIFAR is located in the Akasofu Building (International Arctic Research Center) on the UAF campus.