Arctic Research Opportunities

The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its Directorate for Geosciences and the Office of Polar Programs, administers the Arctic Research Opportunities grant, solicitation NSF 23-572. This funding opportunity invites proposals from investigators based in U.S. organizations to support research that advances process-level or systems-level understanding of the Arctic's natural environment, social and cultural systems, and related global connections. The solicitation is structured around multiple thematic programs, including Arctic Natural Sciences, Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Science, Arctic Observing Network, Polar Cyberinfrastructure, and Arctic Research Coordination and Policy Support. Each program has unique scientific priorities but shares the overarching goal of improving the understanding and forecasting of Arctic change and its implications globally. The program encourages research projects that are disciplinary, multidisciplinary, or convergence-based, and it welcomes proposals from a wide range of eligible applicants, including higher education institutions, non-profits, for-profits, tribal governments, and federal research entities. Special emphasis is placed on proposals that demonstrate collaboration with Arctic residents and Indigenous communities, especially those that include co-production of knowledge. Projects are also encouraged to contribute to NSF’s goal of broadening participation in STEM fields. Funding is available up to approximately $50 million annually, with an expected 75–80 awards per year depending on the availability of funds. Projects may take a variety of forms including standard and continuing grants, cooperative agreements, conference proposals, planning grants, and large coordinated research efforts. While most proposals should be submitted as general Arctic Science proposals, the NSF also supports more complex efforts through Research Networking Activities (RNAs) and Large Project Support (LPS), which involve multi-phase development and implementation strategies. Applicants are required to submit full proposals via Research.gov or Grants.gov following NSF’s Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG). Several supplementary documents are required, including a Plan for Safe and Harassment-Free Working Environments for off-campus work, a Data Management and Sharing Plan consistent with the OPP Data Management Policy, and a document summarizing ethical considerations. Letters of collaboration, especially from community-based organizations or Arctic stakeholders, may be included to strengthen proposals. The NSF encourages outreach and education components and provides support for field logistics through partnerships and a dedicated Arctic Research Support and Logistics program. The submission deadlines vary by program. For Arctic Natural Sciences and Arctic Social Sciences, target dates are January 15 annually. For all other programs, there are no specific deadlines and proposals may be submitted at any time. The solicitation also establishes recurring deadlines: July 15 annually for general Arctic Sciences proposals and January 15 annually for Arctic Natural and Social Sciences proposals. The opportunity is considered active and recurring. Program officers can be contacted via designated emails depending on the specific program area. General contact is available at (703) 292-8030 and program-specific contacts include arcss@nsf.gov for Arctic System Sciences, ass@nsf.gov for Arctic Social Sciences, aon@nsf.gov for Arctic Observing Network, ans@nsf.gov for Arctic Natural Sciences, and polarci@nsf.gov for Polar Cyberinfrastructure. Interested applicants are strongly encouraged to engage with program officers to discuss the suitability of proposals and logistics planning well in advance of submission.

Engage with Arctic communities early. Consult program officers for logistical clarity. Adhere closely to PAPPG requirements.