ArCS Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project

Contact Us

Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS) Sample Policy

Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project
Steering Committee
February 24, 2016

This Policy provides basic policies on the handling and scientific and educational use of the various kinds of samples obtained by the Arctic Challenge for Sustainability Project (ArCS) (hereinafter referred to as “the Project”) carried out by the National Institute of Polar Research, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology and Hokkaido University.

1. Purposes

The Project aims to elucidate changes in the climate and environment, clarify their effects on human society, and provide accurate projections and environmental assessments for internal and external stakeholders so that they can make appropriate decisions on the sustainable development of the Arctic region.
The Project is expected to obtain samples in the Arctic region that are of extremely high academic value. These samples are the common property of the human community, and it is important for them to be made open for research, educational and industrial purposes, and to be available for use into the future on a global basis. It is one of the Project’s most important aims to store these valuable samples for a long period of time and provide them in an easily accessible manner.

2. Definition of Samples

The samples mentioned herein refer to those obtained by the Project (hereinafter referred to as “the Samples”).
In specific terms, the Samples refer to specimens obtained from research and study such as living organisms, sediments, rocks, seawater, snow, ice and atmospheric air, as well as questionnaires and interviews, where the items have not been identified as intellectual property.

3. Ownership of Samples

The Samples obtained by the Project belong to the respective institutes who have obtained the Samples, except for instances where specific agreements are made.

4. Management, Storage and Use of Samples

The Samples obtained by the Project will be managed by and stored in the respective institutes, and will be used in accordance with the rules of the respective institutes.

The Project requests that the scientists and institutes participating in the Project conduct their activities in a manner that adheres to this Policy.