CIFAR is designed to be a focal point for interactions between NOAA and the arctic research community through the University of Alaska for research related to NOAA's interests, especially in the Western Arctic/Bering Sea region. This area, vital to many nations because of its fisheries, oil and gas resources and its Native communities, is also the focus of increased international attention and research. While uncertainties exist about the future, changes in the region during the past few decades have occurred at a rapid pace. Both natural environmental fluctuations and human activities have caused biological changes in the Bering Sea ecosystem. On land and in the sea, substantial climate warming has taken place and this has led to major changes in this high-latitude environment with societal impacts that will become even more pronounced if present climatic trends continue.

To address these issues and others, CIFAR supports a wide variety of research, including atmospheric and climate research, UV and arctic haze studies, fisheries oceanography, marine ecosystem studies, hydrographic studies and sea ice dynamics, contaminant effects, and tsunami research.

CIFAR is closely affiliated with the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Center for Global Change and Arctic System Research, a campus-wide forum for discussing and acting on global change issues. In addition, CIFAR operates the secretariat for the Arctic Climate Impact Assessment, an international project under the auspices of the Arctic Council designed to evaluate and synthesize knowledge on climate variability, climate change, and increased ultraviolet radiation and their consequences.

CIFAR is located in the International Arctic Research Center on the UAF campus.