In seeking to understand the myriad of changes underway in the Arctic, the scientific community is encouraging a new approach to research involving synthesis of linkages between system components and threshold behaviors. The approach requires improvements to methods commonly used today, with an eye toward better integrating complex and disparate data from observations and outputs from models. Innovative data discovery, standardization, interdisciplinary data integration, distribution, and advanced data assimilation need to be the new order of the day.The NSF Arctic System Science (ARCSS) Program supported a series of community planning activities in 2006 and 2007 to foster such synthetic modes of inquiry, including an April 2007 workshop on New Perspectives through Data Discovery and Modeling. A summary of the workshop’s recommendations are available online (www.arcus.org/ARCSS/2007_data) and were published in EOS in July 2007.The workshop’s central recommendation was the creation of a new framework—the Arctic Synthesis Collaboratory. A collaborator is a network-based entity that supports human interaction oriented to a common research area and provides access to data sources and tools required to accomplish research tasks. Such a collaborator offers a means to promote system synthesis, improve scientific understanding and prediction, and increase the utility of scientific results. The Arctic Synthesis Collaboratory is envisioned as an “umbrella” concept that would:• Foster interactions among arctic scientists and other stakeholders;• Integrate data analysis and modeling activities;• Provide outreach, education, and policy-relevant resources; and• Offer training and development opportunities for the arctic science community.Each of these four functions could be established virtually or take advantage of existing facilities. The collaborator would fundamentally serve as a partnership-building mechanism, providing opportunities for individuals and groups to interact and execute synthesis studies, education, and outreach.Implementation PlanningThe next steps in the development of the collaboratory focus on implementation, including working with cyberinfrastructure experts and industry to outline the appropriate supporting structure, tools, phasing, funding, and management. In early December 2007, members of the research community were invited to contribute to this planning during an online eTown meeting, as well as a town hall meeting during the American Geophysical Union meetings. Discussions centered on community needs and organizational and implementation issues. A workshop focused on refining the collaborator activities and implementation strategy is tentatively planned for winter 2009. For more information, see the ARCUS website: www.arcus.org/ARCSS/2007_data, or contact Charlie Vörösmarty at the City University of New York (c/o pwildes@ccny.cyny.edu).