U.S. National Science Foundation · United States

Antarctic Research Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Support for Fieldwork

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U.S. National Science Foundation expects to make awards, from a total budget of $60 million. Applications close on 1 Jun 2027. Eligible applicant types include others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification).

Deadline: 1 Jun 2027 (in 198 days)
Grant amount: $60 million total budget
Funding rate: No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated
Total budget: $60 million
Cost sharing: Not required
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Reference: 25-525
Assistance listing: 47.075 Social, Behavioral, and Economic Sciences
Last checked: 13 Nov 2026

Open the official call ↗ Add deadline to calendar

About this call

Through this solicitation, the Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) funds cutting-edge research that requires logistical support from the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) and:

• Improves understanding of interactions among the Antarctic region and global systems.

• Improves understanding of the dynamic linkages among processes operating in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean and linkages to global Earth systems, which helps inform decision making regarding environmental change.

• Advances fundamental understanding of Earth systems and the biological, geochemical, and physical processes in the Antarctic and Southern Ocean as drivers and responders to changes on a global scale.

• Expands fundamental knowledge of Antarctic systems, biota, and processes.

• Utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic region as a science observing platform.

• Builds capacity and enhances the US workforce for polar-related science.

Read the full text

Antarctic fieldwork is supported only for research that must be performed, or is best performed, in Antarctica. Proposers that do NOT require USAP logistical support should consult the Antarctic Sciences web page for current opportunities.

NSF is currently undertaking a planned multiyear program of essential maintenance and upgrade projects, with the goal of ensuring that researchers continue to have access to world-leading Antarctic facilities. The need to support this important work necessarily places some limitations on the logistical support that can currently be provided for new projects. Proposers should comply with the guidance set out below in the Program Description regarding the USAP logistical support that is available. No other USAP resources may be requested.

Who can apply

Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)

*Who May Submit Proposals: Proposals may only be submitted by the following:

-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.

-Tribal Nations: An American Indian or Alaska Native tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or community that the Secretary of the Interior acknowledges as a federally recognized tribe pursuant to the Federally Recognized Indian Tribe List Act of 1994, 25 U.S.C. §§ 5130-5131.

-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 sub-awards 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.

Applicant categories are a starting point. The official call decides eligibility.

Topics

Science and Technology and other Research and Development

Timing

Prior to submission of full proposals, investigators are required to submit a Concept Outline, which is due January 31, 2025 and January 15 Annually Thereafter.

How to apply

Apply through the funder’s official page (link below); it states the procedure, documents and deadline.

From the call text

Who can apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Company stage: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Single applicant or consortium: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where applicants must be based: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page
Where to apply: Not stated in the call text we hold — check the official page

Contact

U.S. National Science Foundation · grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov · 703-292-4203

Where these facts come from

Fact	Value	How we know	Taken from the source
Deadline	1 June 2027	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Amount per applicant	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—
Total budget	$60 million	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Funding rate	No mandatory cost sharing stated; funding percentage not stated	read from the official text	15 Nov 2026
Who can apply	Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)	official data field	15 Nov 2026
Where to apply	Unknown — not stated in the source we hold	unknown	—

Official sources

Official call page · Funder's programme page

Facts on this page come from the funder’s official data, taken on 13 Nov 2026. The funder's own documents, including later amendments, always take precedence.