There are only a few dedicated academic and applied northern research institutes remaining in Canada, despite the importance of the enormous land area that is considered 'the North'. The Canadian Circumpolar Institute and the Canadian Circumpolar Library are two such institutions based at the University of Alberta.
The primary function of CCI is to promote and support research on northern Canada and other circumpolar nations. Community-based programs, cooperative efforts, adaptive management, and sustainable development are central themes for research into the environment, resources, politics, health, land use, economics, social policy, and the people of the North.
CCI can provide independent research, publication, and extension services to, and serve and important liaison function between, university-based researchers, and those in need of these services including Northerners, Aboriginal communities, government, industry, and the general public.