The Nordic Council of Ministers established a Nordic Arctic Research Programme (NARP) for the years 1999-2003 to promote Nordic networking of research and to increase mobility of young researchers within the Nordic countries. The aim of the programme was to enhance Nordic competence and research cooperation in three priority areas: Natural processes - land, sea and atmosphere, Biological diversity and environmental threats in the Arctic, and Living conditions of the inhabitants of the Arctic. This publication introduces the programme and recognizes the importance of the work of the coordinators and partners in funded projects focusing equally on the above-mentioned three areas of priority. It consists of the final results, a list of projects' activities and publications, and conclusive comments of NARP.