New network launches for research station operators in Northern Canada

The Operators of Canadian Arctic Research Infrastructure (“OCARI”) is a network of research station operators across Northern Canada. Building on the foundation created by Canadian Network of Northern Research Operators, OCARI was founded in 2025 to provide research facility operators with a dedicated network for collaboration and information sharing, all with a view to supporting the safe and effective delivery of research support across Canada’s North.

The OCARI network includes many research facilities across Northern Canada, including year-round research stations, seasonally operated field camps, community research facilities, sites for long term biophysical observation, monitoring sites and research vessels. OCARI facilities are operated by academic organizations, non-governmental organizations and government organizations.

The network provides an opportunity for Canada’s Northern research facility operators to share information related to research operations, identify common areas of concern and develop opportunities for collaboration across stations.

In addition to these strengths, OCARI provides opportunities for the development of programs beneficial for the operators, like researcher/student exchanges, as well as opportunities to make group purchases, which will reduce barriers to users and allow for both cost sharing and training. The network also allows Canadian and international research teams to quickly and easily access research facilities and potential partners across Northern Canada and help operators develop new clients for their facilities.

The OCARI website will launch soon.