Antarctic Research Not Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Field Support

The Antarctic Research Not Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Field Support is an active funding opportunity managed by the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the Directorate for Geosciences, Office of Polar Programs, Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT). The NSF is an independent federal agency established to support research and education across all fields of science and engineering, with the Antarctic Sciences Section focusing specifically on research that advances understanding of the Antarctic region and its role in global systems. The solicitation invites proposals for research projects that do not require logistical support from the U.S. Antarctic Program, meaning applicants are expected to conduct laboratory, modeling, or theoretical work, or use existing data, samples, or analog field sites outside of Antarctica. The aim is to support transformative, cutting-edge science that leverages the unique characteristics of the Antarctic and Southern Ocean as natural laboratories. The primary objectives of this funding opportunity are to improve understanding of how Antarctic processes interact with global systems, to advance knowledge of the continent’s dynamic linkages and feedbacks, and to inform decision-making regarding environmental change. The program encourages proposals that use existing samples, data, and modeling efforts, and also supports development of new instrumentation, observing technologies, and cyberinfrastructure. Projects may include workshops, conferences, and research coordination networks, and are encouraged to promote interdisciplinary collaboration and capacity building within the U.S. scientific workforce. While fieldwork in Antarctica is not supported under this opportunity, research at analogous sites outside Antarctica is eligible. Proposers requiring U.S. Antarctic logistical support should consult alternative opportunities under the Antarctic Sciences Program. Award funding for this opportunity is substantial, with up to $60 million anticipated annually for approximately 50 awards across both field and non-field-based projects. There are no explicit minimum or maximum award sizes detailed in the solicitation for this specific funding stream, but total program funding reflects a significant federal investment in Antarctic and polar science. Cost sharing is not required or allowed, and indirect cost limitations do not apply. Awards may be made as standard or continuing grants, and funding is contingent on congressional appropriations. Eligibility is limited to U.S.-based institutions of higher education (two- and four-year, including community colleges), non-profit, non-academic organizations (such as museums, observatories, and research labs), and federally recognized Tribal Nations. Individuals and for-profit organizations are not eligible. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals an organization or principal investigator may submit. Proposals must adhere strictly to the requirements in the current NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG), including the submission of a Data Management and Sharing Plan and, if applicable, a Safe and Harassment Free Fieldwork (SAHF) Plan for off-campus or off-site work. Proposals may be submitted at any time but are strongly encouraged by two annual target dates: June 1 and January 15 (June 2 and January 15 for 2025 and 2026, respectively), and annually thereafter. There are no requirements for Letters of Intent or preliminary proposals. Submission is via Research.gov or Grants.gov, and all proposal components and supplementary documents must be complete and compliant. Evaluation of proposals is based on NSF’s established merit review criteria: Intellectual Merit (advancement of knowledge) and Broader Impacts (societal benefit), as well as specific solicitation criteria such as quality of project management and, for instrument development proposals, the clarity of milestones and acceptance criteria. Additional reporting requirements apply for funded projects, including annual and final reports via Research.gov and adherence to NSF data, code, and sample management policies. For program-specific questions, several Program Directors are available as points of contact, each overseeing distinct Antarctic research areas. Examples include William G. Ambrose, Jr. (Antarctic Organisms and Ecosystems, wambrose@nsf.gov, 703-292-8048), Kelly M. Brunt (Antarctic Glaciology, kbrunt@nsf.gov, 703-292-8457), and others as detailed in the solicitation. The solicitation number is NSF 25-526, and the CFDA number is 47.050 for Geosciences. More information, including the full text and program contacts, is available on the NSF website. The opportunity is recurring, with anticipated submission cycles annually on or near June 1 and January 15.

Proposals must confirm no USAP logistical support needed in the project summary and must strictly follow submission guidelines.