TOMSKIJ GOSUDARSTVENNYJ UNIVERSITET

Their core work

Tomsk State University is a major Siberian university that contributes to pan-Arctic environmental research, particularly through terrestrial monitoring stations and observing systems. Their H2020 involvement centers on providing access to Arctic and sub-Arctic research infrastructure in the Russian territory, supporting international scientists studying climate feedbacks, biodiversity, and environmental change. They also bring expertise in integrating indigenous knowledge into Arctic observation systems and sustainable development frameworks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2016–2019), Tomsk State University focused on classical Arctic field research — biodiversity monitoring, climate feedbacks, and transnational access to forest, alpine, and lake research stations. By 2020–2025, their involvement shifted toward systemic Arctic infrastructure challenges: data interoperability, indigenous knowledge co-development, policy briefings, and societal impact of Arctic research. This reflects a move from providing physical station access to contributing to the governance and integration layer of Arctic science.

Moving from pure field research support toward the policy, indigenous knowledge, and data integration dimensions of Arctic science — valuable for consortia needing a Russian Arctic partner with societal engagement capacity.

How they like to work

Tomsk State University operates exclusively as a consortium participant, never as coordinator, which is typical for a non-EU partner contributing regional expertise and infrastructure access. With 94 unique partners across 23 countries from just 3 projects, they work in very large international consortia — the INTERACT network alone spans dozens of Arctic research stations. This means they are experienced in multi-partner coordination and familiar with EU project reporting, but rely on others for project leadership.

Despite only 3 projects, Tomsk State University has worked with 94 partners in 23 countries, reflecting the massive scale of the INTERACT and Arctic PASSION networks. Their reach is genuinely global, spanning Arctic nations from Scandinavia to North America and beyond.

What sets them apart

Tomsk State University offers something few European universities can: direct access to research infrastructure in the vast Russian Arctic and sub-Arctic territory, including Siberian forests, permafrost zones, and indigenous communities. For any consortium needing ground-truth data or field station access in the Russian segment of the Arctic, they are one of the established gateway institutions. Their growing focus on indigenous knowledge co-development adds a dimension that is increasingly required in Arctic research proposals.

Highlights from their portfolio

• INTERACT
  Participated in both phases (2016 and 2020) of this flagship pan-Arctic research infrastructure network, receiving EUR 240K in the first round — their largest single grant.
• Arctic PASSION
  Pan-Arctic observing system project with a distinctive focus on indigenous knowledge integration and SAON interoperability, signaling a strategic shift toward societal relevance of Arctic science.