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Section for Arctic Sciences (ARC)

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The Arctic regions are among the most sensitive to environmental change and have exceptionally long natural climate records and thousands of years of human settlement. This interplay provides a unique basis for integrated research on global systems and human adaptation.

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Arctic Research Opportunities

The goal of the arctic research program is to gain a better understanding of the Arctic’s biological, geophysical, chemical and sociocultural processes, and the interactions of ocean, land, atmosphere, biological and human systems.

Arctic research is supported by (OPP), as well as many other disciplinary programs within the National Science Foundation (NSF). Coordination across NSF includes the potential for joint review and funding of proposals, as well as mutual support of special projects with high logistical costs.

The Arctic Research Opportunities program solicits proposals for the following areas of interest:

  • Arctic Natural Sciences (ANS)
  • Arctic Observing Network (AON)
  • Arctic Social Sciences Program (ASSP)
  • Arctic System Science (ARCSS)
  • Arctic Research Coordination and Policy Support
  • Arctic Research Support and Logistics

Information about support for arctic fieldwork in proposals awarded by OPP is available through the Arctic Research Support and Logistics program. The Arctic Data Center (link is external) is the repository for project metadata and data.

Recent funding opportunities

The following opportunities may be of interest to Arctic researchers.

Program

Advancing Informal STEM Learning (AISL)

Next Required Due Date: January 14, 2026
Supports research and practice in informal STEM learning settings, with a focus on engaging diverse audiences, increasing STEM participation and fostering a sense of belonging, particularly for historically excluded and underrepresented groups.
Posted August 28, 2024
Program

Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Sciences, and Arctic Observing Network (DDRIG)

Next Required Due Date: May 15, 2025
Supports doctoral research on the connection between social, biological, physical and geochemical components of the Arctic system and the changing connections between the Arctic and lower latitudes.
Posted August 7, 2020
Program

Cyberinfrastructure for Sustained Scientific Innovation (CSSI)

Next Required Due Date: December 1, 2025
Posted September 16, 2022
Dear Colleague Letter

Support for Engaging Students and the Public in Polar Research

Next Required Due Date: See letter for details
Encourages proposals on research and development projects that facilitate access to polar research efforts in undergraduate education, informal science education and preK-12 science or math education.
Posted September 17, 2019
Program

Discovery Research PreK-12 (DRK-12)

Next Required Due Date: November 12, 2025
Supports research and development to enhance STEM learning and teaching for preK-12 students.
Posted May 25, 2023
Program

Improving Undergraduate STEM Education: Directorate for STEM Education (IUSE: EDU)

Next Required Due Date: July 16, 2025
Supports projects to improve STEM teaching and learning for undergraduate students, including studying what works and for whom and how to transform institutions to adopt successful practices in STEM education.
Posted October 19, 2022
Program

NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)

Posted July 12, 2024
Program

NSF Dynamic Language Infrastructure - NEH Documenting Endangered Languages (DLI-DEL)

Next Required Due Date: September 15, 2025
Supports research and infrastructure that digitally records and documents languages — with an emphasis on endangered languages — through the preparation of lexicons, grammars, text samples and databases, advancing linguistic theory and the study of language.
Posted July 15, 2022
Program

Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF)

Supports postdoctoral researchers performing interdisciplinary polar research that develops partnerships across polar regions or with nonpolar research communities. Fellowships also support researchers who have had limited access to polar research resources.
Posted September 29, 2022
Program

Paleo Perspectives on Present and Projected Climate (P4CLIMATE)

Next Required Due Date: October 20, 2025
The program funds researchers to combine observational and modeling studies to provide paleo perspectives addressing past regional and seasonal climate and past climate forcing, sensitivity and feedback.
Posted July 5, 2022
Program

Research Coordination Networks

Posted December 12, 2022
Program

Tribal Colleges and Universities Program (TCUP)

Next Required Due Date: June 2, 2025
Supports tribal colleges and universities, Alaska Native-serving institutions and Native Hawaiian-serving institutions to promote STEM research and education to increase the number of Native Americans in STEM careers.
Posted June 23, 2021
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'Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984'

NSF is one of 14 Federal agencies that sponsor or conduct arctic science, engineering, and related activities. As mandated by the "Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984," interagency research planning is coordinated through the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), which is chaired by NSF. Researchers are strongly encouraged to engage in IARPC activities through the IARPC Collaborations Portal (link is external) . Further information on other agency programs is presented in the U.S. Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026 (link is external) .

Arctic Community Engagement (ACE)

NSF recognizes the importance of including Indigenous peoples in Arctic science and research efforts. The Arctic community engagement (ACE) website contains information on a range of NSF programs, initiatives, external collaborations and other resources that aim to facilitate effective and respectful engagement with local and Indigenous peoples in Arctic research, education, and outreach activities.

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