About the Fridtjof Nansen Institute
The Fridtjof Nansen Institute (FNI) is an independent research institute focusing on international environmental, climate and energy policy, biodiversity, the law of the sea and the Arctic, with particular expertise on Norwegian governance, EU, China and Russia.
FNI’s research is organized into three main areas:
Across these areas, researchers work on a wide range of themes – from climate legislation and international biodiversity negotiations to China’s climate and energy policies, Russia’s role in the Arctic, and governance challenges linked to genetic resources and marine ecosystems.
The institute’s overall objective is to understand the underlying drivers and barriers in international environmental and resource politics, and to offer solid, research-based contributions to political solutions in these fields.
FNI also works to strengthen awareness of how Norway is shaped by, and can influence, international frameworks in these areas.
The main disciplines at FNI are political science and international law, but the institute also includes researchers trained in economics, sociology, social anthropology and development studies. Several researchers have language and regional expertise on Russia and China.
FNI currently has a staff of around 50, including roughly 40 researchers and 3-6 students. It's activities include academic studies, contract research, investigations and evaluations.
Funding comes from the Research Council of Norway, Norwegian public bodies, business associations and private companies, the European Commission and international research foundations. Annual turnover is around 40 million NOK.
FNI collaborates extensively with research institutions and individual scholars in Norway and abroad. The institute aims to make its expertise accessible and relevant for users and the general public. Research is published in international journals and books, as well as in FNI’s own report series and policy briefs.
FNI is the research arm of The Fridtjof Nansen Foundation at Polhøgda, established in 1958 to conduct research within the interest areas of Fridtjof Nansen and to maintain the property of Polhøgda, Nansen's home. The Foundation is governed by a six-member Board, elected by a Council. The Board appoints the Institute Director for four-year terms.