All research in Nunavut must be licensed! The licenses and regulatory approvals required for a project to proceed are determined by the nature and location of the research. Please carefully review our summary of the licenses and regulatory approvals required for research in Nunavut, and contact the NRI's Manager of Research Licensing as early as possible if you require assistance in identifying the licenses and approvals necessary for your project. Remember: you must obtain all of the necessary licenses and authorizations for your project prior to travelling to Nunavut. You will not be permitted to start your fieldwork and you may be denied access to research facilities and support services until you provide proof that you've obtained all of the licenses and authorizations required for your research.
The Nunavut Research Institute (NRI) administers Nunavut's Scientists Act which applies only to social, health, land or physical/natural research. If you plan to conduct research related to Nunavut's air, land, water, and/or people, you will need a license from the NRI. To apply for a research from the NRI please submit your application here: Research License Application (all disciplines). Before submitting your application please review the NRI's research license application guidelines. Remember: The NRI does not license the following types of research:
- research on wildlife (including plants, fish, birds, and marine/terrestrial wildlife),
- archeological research,
- research in National Parks
If you plan to conduct research in any of the disciplines or locations listed above, you will need to obtain a licence from the appropriate licensing agency other than the NRI. For more information, please consult our our summary of the licenses and regulatory required for research in Nunavut.
If your project is multidisciplinary, you may require more than one research licence. For example, if you are conducting a wildlife study and also plan to carry out formal interviews with community members, you will need both a Wildlife Research Licence (issued by the Government of Nunavut’s Department of Environment) and a Scientific Research Licence (issued by the NRI).
Remember, you will need to complete individual applications for each of the different licenses and sub-authorizations required for your study. You are strongly encouraged to start the process of identifying and applying for ALL of your required licenses and authorizations at least 6 months prior to your planned start date for fieldwork.
If you plan to conduct research in a Nunavut community, you must discuss your research plans well in advance with local organizations and potential community partners who may be affected by, or have an interest in, your work. Evidence of prior community consultation is a required component of your research licence application.
As a researcher working in Nunavut, you are expected to respect community norms, local regulations, and local research expectations, and to conduct yourself in a manner that is inclusive, responsible, respectful, and safe.
Please ensure that you read and become familiar with the National Inuit Strategy on Research (NISR) and with the Tricouncil Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans - TCPS2 (2022)
For more information on which agencies to consult and practical ideas on how to plan your community engagement activities, please refer to our guide: Negotiating Research Relationships with Inuit Communities: A Guide for Researchers.