OpenFederal grant20-597

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

U.S. National Science FoundationCloses Dec 15, 2026(63 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This NSF program funds dissertation-level research on the Arctic's changing natural environment and social and cultural systems. Only accredited U.S. institutions of higher education may apply, submitting on behalf of a dissertation advisor and their enrolled graduate student. Small businesses, for-profits, and nonprofits should not bother applying.

Best for
Accredited U.S. two- and four-year institutions of higher education, including community colleges, Dissertation advisors submitting as PI on behalf of their enrolled graduate student, Graduate students whose dissertation research concerns the Arctic region, Research in Arctic social sciences, Arctic system science, or the Arctic Observing Network
Not for
Small businesses and any for-profit companies, Nonprofit organizations, Researchers without an enrolled graduate student at a U.S. institution
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Arts & CultureLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Education & TrainingLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Environment & ConservationLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Finance & BankingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Food & BeverageLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Healthcare & BiotechLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
ManufacturingLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: This program does not accept nonprofit applicants.
0
Worth Exploring
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Only governments, nonprofits, tribes or universities may apply —…
0
Worth Exploring

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research
Who can apply
Colleges and universities

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is December 15, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The facts list total program funding of $1,250,000 but do not publish a per-award amount.
Who can apply for this grant?
Only accredited U.S. two- and four-year institutions of higher education, including community colleges, may submit proposals, acting on behalf of their faculty. The dissertation advisor must submit as Principal Investigator with their enrolled graduate student as Co-PI; the student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution and be the primary author of the proposal.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
No. For-profit businesses, including small businesses, cannot apply. Only institutions of higher education may submit proposals.
Can a nonprofit apply?
No. Only accredited U.S. institutions of higher education may submit proposals, so nonprofits are not eligible.

Summary

NSF grants to accredited U.S. institutions of higher education, which submit on behalf of a dissertation advisor (PI) and their enrolled graduate student (Co-PI), to fund dissertation-level research on the Arctic's changing natural environment and social/cultural systems via the Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Science, and Arctic Observing Network programs.

About this grant

The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites investigators at U.S. organizations to submit proposals for Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIGs) to the Arctic Sciences Section, Office of Polar Programs (OPP) to conduct dissertation-level research about and related to the Arctic region. The Programs that are currently accepting DDRIG proposals are the Arctic Social Sciences (ASSP), Arctic System Science (ARCSS), and Arctic Observing Network (AON) Programs.

The goal of this solicitation is to attract research proposals that advance a fundamental, process, and systems-level understanding of the Arctic's rapidly changing natural environment and social and cultural systems, and, where appropriate, to improve our capacity to project future change. The Arctic Sciences Section supports research focused on the Arctic region and its connectivity with lower latitudes. The scientific scope is aligned with, but not limited to, research challenges outlined in the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee's five-year Arctic research plan ( https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/arctic/iarpc/start.jsp ). Given that this solicitation is designed to support early career scientists, this Program will also advance research capacity in Arctic sciences, promote workforce development in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM).

The Arctic Sciences Section coordinates with programs across NSF and with other federal and international partners to co-review and co-fund Arctic proposals as appropriate. The Arctic Sciences Section also maintains Arctic logistical infrastructure and field support capabilities that are available to enable research.

Who can apply

Our reading of the listing: for-profit businesses are not eligible for this one.

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

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.

Who May Serve as PI:

The proposal must be submitted through regular organizational channels by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student. The advisor is the Principal Investigator (PI); the student is the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI).  The student must be the primary author of the proposal with mentorship from the advisor (PI). The student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution of higher education.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Science
  • Environment
  • Education

Program contact

U.S. National Science Foundationgrantsgovsupport@nsf.gov703-292-4203

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