Out of 11 applications, four projects have been selected for funding by the Greenland Research Council. The supported projects span a wide range of fields, including climate, environment, health, and society, and have been selected based on their scientific quality, relevance, and contribution to strengthening research environments anchored in Greenland.
The four funded projects are:
– NorthWhales: Outi Tervo (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) will investigate the distribution, behavior, and genetic connectivity of narwhals in North Greenland using environmental DNA and drones.
– Ihuanneq: Manumina Lund Jensen (Ilisimatusarfik) will document traditional fermentation practices in Avanersuaq and examine how climate change affects local knowledge of fermented food.
– MeatBorn: Mathilde Le Moullec (Greenland Institute of Natural Resources) will map meat-borne parasites in caribou and muskox in West Greenland and lay the foundation for a national monitoring programme.
– Evaluation of the 15-method: Birgit Niclasen (Greenland Center for Health Research) will test an evidence-based method for early detection and management of alcohol-related problems in the Greenlandic healthcare system.
This year, a number of applications were received, not all of which fell within the scope of the programme. The Council therefore carried out a scientific assessment and prioritization among the applications that met the criteria.
Chair of the Greenland Research Council, Mari Kleist, states:
“The projects we have chosen to support stand out both in terms of scientific strength and their clear relevance to Greenlandic society. It has been important for us to prioritize research that not only produces new knowledge, but is also locally anchored and contributes to building capacity and collaboration in Greenland.
At the same time, it should be noted that most applicants addressed relevant issues, but not all applications fell within the framework of the programme. A new call for proposals will be announced in the autumn, where it will be a requirement that applications meet the programme’s criteria and objectives.”
The funded projects will be carried out in collaboration between Greenlandic and international research institutions and are expected to contribute to both local capacity building and new knowledge.