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NordForsk is a platform for Nordic research and research infrastructure cooperation. One of its key priorities is to support research in response to Grand Challenges as defined in the Lund Declaration, produced during the Swedish presidency of the European Union in 2009. This chapter describes how NordForsk’s research program Responsible development of the Arctic was developed and funded with a real common-pot. An important conclusion is that the fundamental and needs-driven research carried out in response to these grand challenges are, in fact, two sides of the same endeavor. Meeting the needs for knowledge that contributes to overcoming the negative and sometimes irreversible consequences of globalization in the Arctic is crucially important for the around four million inhabitants who live there. In the longer-term, some of these consequences will affect all human beings on earth because climate change is noticeable earlier in the High North than elsewhere. In this respect, the Arctic region is a global laboratory, and this type of new knowledge of importance for all living species on this planet. There are many prerequisites for accomplishing new knowledge of top quality to be acted upon by business, public service providers and other key users. It is necessary for researchers from different countries, with excellent qualifications in their respective disciplines, to work in teams that integrate perspectives and results from disciplinary research. Political backing is also crucial because politicians set policy agendas and are able to fund interdisciplinary research that involves cutting across policy communities e.g. research, innovation, health etc. Another absolute requirement is the existence of practical arrangements that make it possible to produce, spread and use evidence-informed knowledge suitable for overcoming problems and accomplishing responsible development in the Arctic region and beyond. There are lessons learned from the way NordForsk develops principles, flexible processes and organizing in order to create trust and long-term commitment to grand challenges responding research. The preconditions for meeting the urgent needs for new knowledge on the Arctic are, in short, a well-developed research program, excellent people willing to participate and a reliable platform for cooperation.