The scientific focus of the Center is on understanding the physical, biological, chemical and social processes of the Arctic that interact with the total Earth system, and the relationship of those interactions to global change. In addressing this interdisciplinary challenge, the Center draws on the well established strengths of the University's institutes and colleges in arctic biology, atmospheric chemistry, climatology, engineering, geophysics, hydrology, natural resources management, social sciences, and marine sciences.

A wealth of field stations, laboratories and other research facilities, including the Arctic Region Supercomputing Center, Geophysical Institute, Institute of Arctic Biology, Biology and Wildlife Department, Alaska Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit and School of Fisheries and Ocean Sciences, are available at the University of Alaska Fairbanks for use in the integrated study and modeling of the Earth system.