Updated mandate for Svalbard Science Forum

Following the update, the overarching goal for SSF is to contribute to increased quality in Svalbard research. SSF will also work towards putting this research into a bigger pan arctic and global perspective. The list of members now also includes Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute (MET). MET has stations on Hopen and Bjørnøya. The two new members will strengthen SSF's work and make it easier for researchers and institutions to get support and guidance about infrastructures and research services in Svalbard.

A new and important strategic task is to contribute to the recruitment of the next generation of polar researchers. SSF's two funding programmes, Arctic Field Grant and Svalbard Strategic Grant, will be continued, and the Research in Svalbard Portal will be further developed. Another newcomer in the mandate is the continuation of the biennial Svalbard Science Conference, the central international meeting place for dialogue about the research in Svalbard.