Research of the Thule Institute concentrates on environment, natural resource management and northern issues. Thule Institute is an expert on circumpolar issues as well.

Global change in the North, environmental technology, environmental and resource economics and circumpolar health and well-being are the fields of the Thule Institute's research program.

Research groups in the program are studying climate change and adaptation, the sustainable use of natural resources, environmental and resource economics, and health and well-being of people living in the northern environment.

The research program consists of fixed-term research groups.

Programme director is Research Professor Kari Strand.