Newsletter 
In collaboration with the University of Lapland, the University of Oulu, the University of Helsinki, the Finnish Meteorological Institute, UArctic, and the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (UVSQ), the French Embassy and the French Institute in Finland propose a study visit in Finland on June 8 to 10 for French institutions and their academic staff willing to:
- Strengthen Arctic cooperation with Finland
- And/or explore possible engagement with UArctic network
Discover the programme and join the visit!
Express your interest by April 20, 2026 through this form.
Aim of the visit
The visit will offer participants a concrete understanding of both UArctic and the Finnish Arctic academic ecosystem, as well as the connections between them. Through direct exchanges with university leadership, researchers, infrastructure managers, and UArctic representatives, participants will be able to assess how this ecosystem and UArctic can support new forms of cooperation, mobility, and international visibility.
Who can participate
The programme is intended for representatives of French institutions, responsible for international affairs, research, and polar or Arctic initiatives, as well as for faculty members and researchers seeking to strengthen collaboration with Finnish counterparts or to inform reflection within their home institution on possible engagement with UArctic.
Itinerary of the visit
Over three days, the visit will take participants to Rovaniemi, Oulu and Helsinki, offering access to three major Arctic academic environments with distinct profiles. Rovaniemi provides a particularly strong perspective on Arctic governance, Arctic societies, science communication, and UArctic itself. Oulu highlights multidisciplinary research, field and observation infrastructures, and cooperation networks linked to Arctic environments and northern communities. Helsinki offers a broad academic and scientific environment in which Arctic issues are addressed through atmospheric sciences, ecosystems research, environmental policy, Indigenous studies, and climate-related research, including through the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
Why participate
At a time when French Arctic research is encouraged to strengthen its international partnerships, mobility opportunities, and access to field sites and research infrastructures, this visit offers a practical framework for moving from general interest to concrete institutional and academic dialogue. It is particularly timely considering bibliometric analysis pointing to significant room for further development in France–Finland Arctic collaboration, while also offering participants a direct opportunity to engage with Finland’s Arctic academic landscape.
Practicalities
The programme will be finalised based on the visitors’ profile.
Local transfers from Rovaniemi to Oulu and from Oulu to Helsinki, as well as meals, will be covered by the visit organisers.
A list of hotels with preferred booking rates will be provided.
To secure your place, express your interest by April 20, 2026.
Information and contact: Mathieu GIRERD, Attaché for Science and Higher Education – mathieu.girerd@france.fi