Antarctic Research Not Requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Field Support
This grant funds innovative research to advance understanding of Antarctic and global systems without requiring U.S. Antarctic Program field support, using existing data, analog sites, or remote methods.
Funder: U.S. National Science Foundation
Due Dates: January 15, 2027 (Full proposal target / current closing date) | June 1, 2027 (Annual full proposal target)
Funding Amounts: Approximately $60 million annually across the full Antarctic Program, supporting an estimated 50 awards
Summary: Supports Antarctic and Southern Ocean research that advances fundamental knowledge without requiring U.S. Antarctic Program logistical support.
Key Information: Projects requiring U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) logistical support are not eligible under this solicitation.
Description
The Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of NSF’s Office of Polar Programs supports research on Antarctic and Southern Ocean systems and their connections to global environmental change. This solicitation primarily funds laboratory, modeling, and theoretical work across terrestrial, marine, cryospheric, atmospheric, and space settings. Its goals include understanding biological, geochemical, and physical processes, expanding knowledge of Antarctic biota, using Antarctica as an observing platform, and strengthening the U.S. polar science workforce.
ANT particularly encourages interdisciplinary research using existing samples, data, and models, new instrumentation and observing technologies, and workshops, conferences, and Research Coordination Networks. Projects may use locations outside Antarctica as analogues of Antarctic systems. International and interagency collaborations are welcome, but projects cannot require USAP logistical support.
