iC3: Centre for Ice, Cryosphere, Carbon and Climate

iC3 aims to fill a major research gap in polar science by quantifying the future impact of ice sheet change on Earth’s carbon cycle over policy-relevant timescales. It achieves this by uniting complementary world-leading expertise at UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the Norwegian Polar Institute and a network of collaborators in an unprecedented research endeavour spanning both the Arctic and Antarctic. Its integrated, interdisciplinary hub of experts studying the cryosphere, oceans, atmosphere and geosphere will close order of magnitude uncertainty in polar carbon budgets, addressing the hypothesis that changing ice sheets (and aligned cryosphere) profoundly impact Earth’s carbon cycle, directly affecting human societies via feedbacks to our future climate and invaluable polar ecosystems. iC3 will tackle this grand challenge by leveraging excellent Norwegian infrastructure (Kongsfjorden, Svalbard; Troll Station, Antarctica; and Research Vessels Kronprins Haakon and Helmer Hanssen) and innovative technologies to gather and integrate novel datasets at both poles, with state-of-the-art numerical models to assess future impacts at regional to global scales. iC3 will deliver high impact via workstreams dedicated to Innovation and Training Future Leaders, alongside strategic, internationally-visible initiatives to drive engagement with academics, the public and policy makers (e.g. prestigious fellows programme, international seminar series, policy briefings and VR films). iC3 will lead with outstanding gender balance, early career representation and bespoke training and mentoring to empower the next generation of leaders in interdisciplinary polar science. Via its integrated research and impact missions, the centre will drive a paradigm shift in how ice sheets are considered in global carbon budgets. The Centre will uniquely position itself to take the lead in this global research field, growing to sufficient size and strength to be self-sustaining after 10 years