Antarctic Research Not Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Field Support
Can you apply?
This grant is for research on Antarctic and Southern Ocean systems that does not require physical presence in Antarctica or U.S. Antarctic Program logistical support.
Eligible organizations include U.S. institutions of higher education (public and private), nonprofit research organizations, museums, observatories, professional societies, and federally recognized tribal nations. Projects can use existing data, conduct laboratory analysis, or study Antarctic analogues located elsewhere.
Research must advance understanding of Antarctic systems and their global connections. Projects should focus on biological, geochemical, and physical processes. Work performed at international branch campuses of U.S. institutions must demonstrate clear project benefits and necessity.
Program description
Through this solicitation, the Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) funds cutting-edge research that:
- 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.
ANT encourages and supports research that combines disciplinary perspectives and approaches from other fields, research that uses existing data and samples, and other research not requiring a physical presence in Antarctica.This may include projects conducted at locations outside Antarctica that serve as analogues of Antarctic sites or systems.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NSF Standard Form 424 (SF-424)
- Project Narrative/Research Proposal
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support
- Facilities and Equipment Description
Program contact
- 👤 U.S. National Science Foundation
- 📧 grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov
- 📞 703-292-4203
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 47.050 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$640,746,599
-
$399,999,980
-
$220,735,035
-
$100,533,563
-
$82,550,071
-
$74,280,323
-
$73,335,203
-
$68,622,497
-
$64,462,832
-
$63,916,877
Top States by Funding
- TX 4 awards $689.8M
- MA 15 awards $653.0M
- OR 5 awards $452.3M
- CA 12 awards $286.7M
- NY 7 awards $217.5M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 47.050). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,009,920,000 | |
| 2025 | $1,013,630,000 | |
| 2026 est. | $374,350 |
FAQ
Who can submit proposals to this grant?
U.S. institutions of higher education, nonprofit research organizations, museums, professional societies, and federally recognized tribal nations. All entities must be based in the U.S.
What types of research does this grant support?
Research on Antarctic and Southern Ocean systems without USAP field support needs. This includes lab analysis, data synthesis, and studies of Antarctic analogues outside Antarctica.
Can I conduct fieldwork in Antarctica with this grant?
No. This solicitation specifically excludes projects requiring U.S. Antarctic Program logistical support. Contact an ANT Program Officer if your project needs logistics from other Antarctic programs.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is June 1, 2026. This is a fixed deadline, not rolling.
What budget support does NSF provide?
No cost sharing is required. Award amounts are determined competitively based on project scope and merit.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize how your research informs global Earth systems understanding or environmental decision-making beyond Antarctica alone.
- If using existing data or samples, clearly explain why new analysis provides novel insights into Antarctic processes.
- For projects at non-Antarctic locations, justify why the chosen site serves as a valid analogue for Antarctic conditions or systems.
- Include institutional expertise and facilities that make your team uniquely qualified for Antarctic research without field travel.
- Address the global relevance of your findings explicitly in the proposal narrative.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Projects requesting USAP logistical support are automatically ineligible; verify your logistics plan upfront. Failing to connect local research to Antarctic systems or global significance weakens competitiveness. Proposals that do not address capacity-building or workforce development in polar science miss key program priorities.
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