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Simpler Grants

No. 25-525 · U.S. National Science Foundation

Open

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

grants.gov listing Full announcement (NOFO)
Dealbreakers No cost share required Audit: not stated
Not reimbursement-only
“as either standard or continuing awards” — From the announcement
Award range
Not specified
Expected awards
Not specified
Application deadline
Jun 1, 2027
Posted
Dec 22, 2024
Last verified
4 days ago

At a glance

AI summary

This program supports research on Antarctic biota and physical systems that must be done in Antarctica or is best done there, and it requires logistical support from the U.S. Antarctic Program. It also supports projects using existing data and samples, instrumentation development and field testing, and some education and outreach activities related to Antarctic research. Eligible applicants include U.S. two- and four-year colleges and universities, U.S.-based nonprofit non-academic organizations tied to research or education, and federally recognized Tribal Nations. NSF anticipates committing up to about $60 million per year across all Antarctic Sciences programs, but the announcement does not give a per-award size or require cost sharing. Geographic and support limits apply: some requests are restricted to specific stations, ships, seasons, or existing projects, and proposals asking for resources not listed in the announcement will be returned without review.

AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement

What it funds

  • Science and Technology and other Research and Development
  • Infrastructure, Construction & Shared Facilities
  • Research & Discovery
  • Researchers & Scholars
  • Engineering, Physical & Mathematical Sciences
  • Environment, Conservation & Natural Resources
  • Research Infrastructure, Instrumentation & Data
Official description from grants.gov

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. Antarctic fieldwork is supported only for research that must be performed, or is best performed, in Antarctica.Proposers that do NOTrequire 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
Geographic restriction None found in the announcement — likely nationwide

Program history

USASpending.gov

Assistance listing 47.050 · Geosciences

Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (47.050), not just this notice.

Fiscal year Awards Median award Middle half
FY 2026 (so far) 286 $384,889 $140,548 – $582,302
FY 2025 920 $382,104 $189,831 – $608,490
FY 2024 1,251 — —
FY 2023 1,285 — —
FY 2022 1,314 — —
FY 2021 1,504 — —

Dollar figures are based on the 1,000 most recent awards we store, not all 6,560 — award counts are complete.

Who wins it Higher education (5,801), Business (430), Individuals (137) of 6,560 awards — categories can overlap.
Top states CA (124) · MA (88) · NY (70) · TX (62) · CO (36)
Largest recent awards
  1. EARTHSCOPE CONSORTIUM INC. $55,190,331 · FY 2025
  2. TEXAS A & M RESEARCH FOUNDATION $17,635,793 · FY 2025
  3. REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN $6,000,000 · FY 2025
  4. THE TRUSTEES OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK $5,406,902 · FY 2025
  5. PRESIDENT AND FELLOWS OF HARVARD COLLEGE $4,893,936 · FY 2025

Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Aug 5, 2026

Change history

Since we first indexed it
  1. Jul 25, 2026 Grant announcement document replaced