The Secretariat
Assignments
The Secretariat’s tasks
The Secretariat shall ensure the progress of the Research Council with a view to fulfilling the objectives of the Act on Research Advice and Granting of Research Funds. The tasks include, among others, coordination and prioritization of research efforts in Greenland, strengthening research cooperation nationally and internationally, and increased dissemination of Greenlandic research.
The Secretariat’s primary task is to provide administrative and professional support to the Council in its work to realize the overall research policy objectives. The Secretariat functions as a communication link between the Council, the research environments and the public.
The Council is served by an independent secretariat that is anchored in the ministry to which the Council is affiliated at any time. The scope of the secretariat’s services and the specific tasks are determined in a contract between the Council and the ministry in question.
Secretariat tasks according to the Rules of Procedure
The Secretariat is responsible for, among others, the following tasks:
Contribute to the preparation and holding of Council meetings, including preparatory case processing and follow-up on Council decisions.
Prepare and submit draft minutes of extraordinary meetings of the Council.
Prepare budget and proposals for the distribution of grants.
Prepare accounts.
Prepare annual report.
Ensure announcement of the award of Ph.D. and postdoctoral scholarships, including keeping statistics on awards, completion dates and affiliated institutions.
Announce awards of research funds.
Handle case processing in connection with the award of funds from the Research Promotion Fund.
Maintain the Council’s website in Kalaallisut, Danish and English as well as other relevant communication channels.
Prepare press releases regarding the award of research funds.
Prepare other press releases from the Council.
Issue, in coordination with the Council Chairman, meeting agendas with appendices, including relevant cases and the secretariat’s notes.
The Secretariat’s tasks according to the legislation
According to the legislation, the Secretariat also carries out the following tasks:
Secure procedures that allow research institutions, research centers, research environments and entrepreneurial and innovation environments with the right to nominate candidates – individually or in collaboration.
Ensure that candidates for the Council declare any participation in other councils, advisory functions, private companies and other matters that may have an impact on the candidates’ competence.
Send feedback
About the Secretariat
About the Secretariat
The Secretariat of the Greenland Research Council was established in the spring of 2015 and was originally located in the Department of Education, Culture and Research of the Greenland Self-Government.
2015–2016
Steen Jeppson was the first Secretary of the Greenland Research Council. He holds a Master of Arts in Cultural and Social History from the University of Greenland and was employed as the Secretary of the Research Council from 2015 to 2016. During this period, the Secretariat was located in the Department of Education, Culture and Research.
2016
Juaaka Lyberth was employed as a consultant in the Secretariat in 2016, until a full-time Secretary was hired. He holds a Master of Arts in Eskimology from the University of Copenhagen.
2016–2020
Arnajaaq Lynge was appointed part-time in October 2016. She is a qualified primary school teacher and has a bachelor’s degree in Cultural and Social History. In January 2017, she completed an MSSc (Master of Social Science in Social Sciences) through West Nordic Studies at the University of Greenland, equivalent to a cand.soc., and was then employed full-time as the Research Council Secretary.
Before May 2020
Aviaja Uldum from the Department of Business, Energy and Research held the secretariat function as temporary secretary. During this period, the secretariat was physically located in the Department of Business, Energy and Research, where Jess Svane was Minister.
May 2020 – early 2025
Maliina Jensen held the secretariat function during this period.
Current Secretariat
Since November 2025, the secretariat function has been handled by Nivi Johnsen, who is employed as Secretary of the Greenland Research Council in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Research. The current Minister for the area is Vivian Motzfeldt.
Email: njsn@nanoq.gl
The secretariat is organizationally anchored in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Research.