The amount of applications received by the Governor regarding permissions to travel, do scientific work and related management has increased considerably during the last year. While we do our best to answer all applications as soon as possible, the thorough treatment that is needed to satisfy the high environmental standards may cause prolonged time for considering particular applications.

Svalbard Environmental Protection Fund distributes subsidies twice a year. The next deadline for applications is September 1, 2008. The fund's resources will be used to initiate and stimulate good projects and initiatives with the purpose of looking after the lofty environmental goals witch are set for Svalbard. The fund's income ensures that Svalbard`s distinctive wilderness nature can be preserved as a basis for experiences, knowledge and value creation.

The environmental authorities are proposing several changes in the protected areas regulations that regulate tha largest protected areas in Svalbard.

The Governor of Svalbard requires that projects that need permissions and exemptions issued by the Governor of Svalbard have to be registered in the Research in Svalbard database.