Arctic Research Opportunities
This funding opportunity supports U.S.-based researchers and organizations conducting interdisciplinary studies on the changing Arctic environment and its connections to other regions, with a focus on collaboration, capacity building, and inclusivity, particularly with Indigenous communities.
The National Science Foundation (NSF), an independent federal agency dedicated to promoting the progress of science, advances national health, prosperity, and welfare by supporting research and education in science and engineering. Under the Directorate for Geosciences, the Office of Polar Programs' Arctic Sciences Section supports scientific investigations related to the Arctic region. Through its "Arctic Research Opportunities" funding program (Solicitation NSF 23-572), NSF invites proposals that explore the rapidly evolving Arctic environment and its broad connectivity with lower latitudes. This funding opportunity encourages fundamental and systems-level research in natural and social sciences, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary studies. Projects may involve Arctic Natural Sciences, Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Science, Arctic Observing Network, Polar Cyberinfrastructure, and Arctic Research Coordination and Policy Support. Proposals should contribute to understanding social, environmental, and ecological changes and promote capacity building, logistical innovation, and inclusive collaborations, especially with Indigenous communities. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based institutions of higher education, nonprofit non-academic entities, for-profit organizations with research capacity, and federally recognized tribal governments. While foreign organizations can participate in cooperative projects, only the U.S. portion is eligible for NSF support. There are no restrictions on the number of proposals per institution or principal investigator. All proposals must adhere to the NSF Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG) and are submitted through Research.gov or Grants.gov. Proposal preparation includes a project summary, data management and sharing plan, results from prior NSF support, and supplemental documents addressing ethical considerations and safe working environments. Specific documents are required when proposing work involving Arctic logistics or field research. Proposals for Arctic Natural Sciences and Arctic Social Sciences have annual deadlines of January 15 and July 15, while proposals to other programs are accepted year-round. Projects may be categorized as general research proposals, Research Networking Activities (RNAs), or supported through the Large Project Support (LPS) mechanism. Award administration includes standard NSF grant conditions, and awards may range from standard to continuing grants or cooperative agreements. Approximately $50 million is available annually, with an estimated 75 to 80 awards made each year. The NSF emphasizes safe and harassment-free environments, particularly in off-campus research settings, and requires detailed plans and ethical considerations as part of the broader impacts review criteria. For specific inquiries, contact information is provided for each sub-program within the Arctic Sciences Section.
Award Range
$330,000 - Not specified
Total Program Funding
$50,000,000
Number of Awards
80
Matching Requirement
No
Additional Details
75–80 awards expected annually, cost sharing is prohibited, includes support for logistics, multiple proposal types supported including RNAs and LPS; logistics costs may be separate from awarded grants.
Eligible Applicants
Additional Requirements
Proposals may only be submitted by the following: Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus. Non-profit, non-academic organizations: Independent museums, observatories, research laboratories, professional societies and similar organizations located in the U.S. that are directly associated with educational or research activities. For-profit organizations: U.S.-based commercial organizations, including small businesses, with strong capabilities in scientific or engineering research or education and a passion for innovation. Tribal Governments: The governing body of any Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges to exist as an Indian tribe under the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 479a, et seq.) Foreign organizations: For cooperative projects involving U.S. and foreign organizations, support will only be provided for the U.S. portion. Other Federal Agencies and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs): Contact the appropriate program before preparing a proposal for submission.
Geographic Eligibility
All
Application Opens
August 2, 2023
Application Closes
July 15, 2025
Grantor
National Science Foundation (U.S. National Science Foundation)
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