Arctic Six and Canada: Northern Innovation Initiative

Date: 13–14 October 2026
Location: Nord University, Bodø, Norway
Participants: By invitation only. The event is intended for representatives from Canadian universities and relevant institutions, Arctic Six universities and selected invited partners.

Further practical information about the venue, accommodation, travel, and local arrangements will be made available once determined

Canada-Arctic Six Northern Innovation Initiative
Building Long-Term Canada-Nordic Arctic University Cooperation
13-14 October 2026 | Nord University, Bodø, Norway

Hosted by | Nord University on behalf of Arctic Six
In cooperation with | The Embassy of Canada to Norway, and on behalf of the Embassies of Canada in Sweden, and Finland

About Arctic Six

Arctic Six is an alliance of the northernmost universities in Norway, Sweden and Finland: Nord University and UiT The Arctic University of Norway in Norway, Luleå University of Technology and Umeå University in Sweden, and the University of Oulu and the University of Lapland in Finland.

Together, the six universities represent the most extensive research and education infrastructure in the European Arctic, comprising approximately 10,000 academic staff and 100,000 students. The alliance offers Canadian partners a structured entry point to university cooperation across the Nordic Arctic, with strong regional anchoring and broad expertise in Arctic research, education, innovation and societal development. Canadian participants travelling to Bodø for the Canada–Arctic Six Northern Innovation Initiative (NII 2026) are encouraged to consider whether they would like to combine their participation with visits to other Arctic Six universities in Norway, Sweden or Finland. Where relevant,

Arctic Six may help facilitate contact with the other member universities as part of the planning process.

About the event

The NII 2026 will bring together Canadian universities and the Arctic Six alliance to explore opportunities for long-term cooperation in Arctic research, innovation and education. The event is open to research institutions and other entities with the same goals, including colleges with a relevant research focus, national research institutions and government entities.

The event will take place in Bodø, Norway, at Nord University.

The programme is designed as a strategic collaboration forum rather than a traditional conference. Participants will be invited to identify shared priorities, explore possible cooperation tracks, take part in curated bilateral or multilateral meetings where relevant, and discuss practical next steps for future collaboration. The programme will focus on selected Arctic priorities, including: defence and security; and sustainable energy solutions and energy security, including critical minerals.

The event is organized in connection with the Arctic Six Rectors’ Council. Participation will include Arctic Six rectors, prorectors for research and/or education, senior university representatives and invited guests, depending on the programme element.

Expected outcomes

Promoting and providing a venue for joint R&D: A number of promising Arctic Six-Canada cooperation tracks.
Building sustainable networks between governments, academia and stakeholders: Relevant academic and institutional contact points on both sides.
Discussions surrounding possible funding, mobility and innovation opportunities (eg. Horizon Europe)
A practical follow-up process for joint research, education and innovation partnerships.
A short Bodø Action Note summarizing agreed next steps.
Site visits in Bodø, and possibly at universities of other Arctic Six members to further foster Arctic research and innovation discussions and partnerships

Preliminary programme

Tuesday 13 October 2026 | Shared framing and relationship-building

Venue: Nord University / Bodø city centre (note: bus provided from city centre to University by Nord University)

Time	Programme element
09:30-12:00	Optional pre-programme for participants already in Bodø: registration, scheduled B2B meetings and/or Nord University tour.
12:00-13:00	Informal lunch
13:00-13:30	Welcome and introduction to the Arctic Six-Canada initiative: Opening remarks by representatives of Arctic Six and the Embassy of Canada to Norway. The session will introduce the ambition to strengthen long-term cooperation between Canadian universities and the Arctic Six alliance.
13:30-14:30	Setting the scene: Canada-Nordic Arctic cooperation: A shared strategic framing of the event, including Canada’s Arctic priorities, Arctic Six as a Nordic Arctic university alliance, and existing academic links between Canadian and Arctic Six institutions.
14:30-15:00	Coffee break
15:00-16:30	Roundtables: Shared interests and expectations: A moderated discussion where participating universities are invited to share their interests, priorities and expectations for future cooperation. Themes: Security and DefenceSustainable Energy Solutions / Energy SecurityCritical Minerals (Separate round table as it may focus on themes 1 or 2 above) Each table assigns a speaker, who will provide a 2-minute summary of results (whether key areas of collaboration, joint interests, or further questions to discussion in Day 2)
16:30-17:00	Summary and preparation for Day 2
18:00-20:00	Hosted dinner in Bodø by Nord University in city centre with Arctic Six representatives, Canadian representatives and invited delegates

Wednesday 14 October 2026 | From shared priorities to cooperation tracks

Venue: Campus Bodø, Nord University (note: bus provided from city centre to University by Nord University)

Time	Programme element
09:00-09:30	Coffee and recap from Day 1
09:30-10:30	Strategic dialogue: Building long-term Arctic Six-Canada cooperation (Plenary Session)
10:30-11:00	Coffee break
11:00-12:15	Thematic dialogue: Areas for cooperation
12:15-13:15	Working lunch
13:15-14:30	Collaboration workshop and curated bilateral/multilateral meetings
14:30-15:00	Coffee break
15:00-16:00	Follow-up model and next steps
16:00-16:30	Closing session: Summary of the main cooperation tracks identified and the proposed follow-up process.
18:00-20:00	Networking Reception hosted by the Embassy of Canada to Norway (includes all event participants, plus additional invitations to relevant contacts in Bodø, in conversation with Nord University)

Suggested thematic areas

Thematic area	Possible focus
Arctic research and innovation	Joint research and development, research infrastructure and knowledge exchange.
Energy transition and green shift	Sustainable energy solutions, energy security, northern industrial transformation and climate-related transitions.
Critical minerals and resource development	Sustainable resource governance, technology, communities and environmental considerations.
Defence, Security, preparedness and dual-use infrastructure	Arctic security, societal preparedness, infrastructure and resilience.
Indigenous knowledge and northern communities	Community-based research, co-creation, ethics and long-term partnerships.
Mobility and education	Student and staff exchange, PhD collaboration, field schools and joint educational activities.
Commercialization and innovation partnerships	Innovation hubs, applied research, business collaboration and research commercialization.

Information requested from participating Canadian universities

To support matchmaking, roundtable discussions and possible bilateral or multilateral meetings, participating Canadian universities are invited to provide short information in advance of the event via the Nord University Event Page: Nord University Event Page and Registration

Information requested	Purpose
Name and role of institutional representative(s)	To identify the institutional level and mandate of participation.
Short institutional profile related to Arctic research, innovation and education	To map relevant institutional strengths and priorities.
Key Arctic-related research strengths	To identify possible academic matches with Arctic Six institutions.
Existing cooperation with Arctic Six, Nordic or UArctic partners, if relevant	To build on existing relationships and networks.
Areas of interest for future cooperation	To prepare thematic discussions and small-group work.
Interest in student mobility, PhD cooperation, field courses or joint education	To identify education and mobility opportunities.
Interest in joint funding opportunities, including Horizon Europe or Nordic-Canadian mechanisms	To prepare discussion of funding pathways and consortium development.
Interest in bilateral or multilateral meetings during the event	To enable pre-scheduled meetings where relevant.
Interest in follow-up visits to other Arctic Six universities after the event in Bodø UiT The Arctic University of Norway in NorwayLuleå University of Technology in SwedenUmeå University in SwedenUniversity of Oulu in FinlandUniversity of Lapland in Finland	To explore whether the Bodø event can serve as an entry point to a broader Nordic Arctic visit.

A list of participating institutions and representatives will be published when registration has been completed.

Participants may also indicate whether they are interested in visiting other Arctic Six universities while in Europe or the Nordic region.
Participant biographies will be published on this page based on the information submitted through the registration form, provided that consent for publication has been given.

Each biography should be approximately 150–200 words.