TITLE:  Dear Colleague Letter regarding proposals for Antarctic Research
        (nsf14035)
DATE:   2/3/2014


   NSF 14-035

Dear Colleague Letter regarding proposals for Antarctic Research

   February 3, 2014

   Dear Colleagues:

   Despite recent challenges, we wish to reassure the research community
   that the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the U.S. Antarctic
   Program (USAP) continue to encourage the development and submission of
   proposals in response to the Antarctic Sciences Solicitation ([1]NSF
   13-527).

   In October 2013, NSF was required to suspend certain activities in
   Antarctica as a result of the partial government shutdown just as the
   austral summer season began. When funding under a continuing
   resolution was established, staff members at both NSF and the
   Antarctic Support Contractor (ASC) worked hard to restore as much of
   the planned activities as was safely possible. While all parts of the
   USAP were affected to some degree, the greatest effects were on
   projects based from McMurdo Station. Some projects were de-scoped so
   that fieldwork required fewer resources this season and fieldwork for
   other projects has been wholly deferred to future seasons. Going
   forward, deferred fieldwork will have to be accommodated within the
   framework of projects that were already planned for next season. Staff
   from the Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) and Antarctic
   Sciences (ANT) Sections are working closely with affected researchers
   and the ASC to revise existing out-year logistical plans to achieve
   this goal to the maximum extent practicable.

   In parallel with these efforts, the USAP remains committed to
   implementing the Foundation's response to the Blue Ribbon Review of
   the USAP that was completed in 2012. This report highlighted the need
   for NSF to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistical
   support across the USAP.

   While restoring deferred projects and making progress on Blue Ribbon
   Panel activities affects our capacity for fieldwork, ANT continues to
   encourage submission of high quality proposals for Antarctic research.
   Although much of the existing science support resources are committed
   to some degree for the next few seasons, capabilities remain for
   additional future fieldwork.

   As noted in our proposal solicitation, ANT also strongly encourages
   submission of research proposals that do not require fieldwork in the
   Antarctic. For example, proposals for development of robust autonomous
   observing systems that would enable key observations while reducing
   the need for logistical support or traditional boots-on-the-ground
   fieldwork are strongly encouraged. In addition, experimental,
   modeling, and synthesis proposals that take advantage of the
   significant investment made in acquiring Antarctic samples, cultures,
   and data from previously supported research are also strongly
   encouraged. To assist researchers who wish to use these existing data
   sets and samples, ANT is supporting the Antarctic-Arctic Data
   Consortium ([2]A2DC.org), which provides investigators with a "one
   stop shop" for many of these datasets.

   Thank you for your patience and understanding in our efforts to
   support the important science that comprises the USAP. Should you have
   any questions regarding proposals that you are developing for
   submission, please do not hesitate to contact the Program Director of
   the appropriate program in Antarctic Sciences or Research Support
   Managers in Antarctic Logistics and Infrastructure.

   Scott Borg
   Head, Antarctic Sciences Section

   Brian Stone
   Head, Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section

References

   1. http://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub_summ.jsp?ods_key=nsf13527
   2. http://www.a2dc.org/