NSF Office of Polar Programs (NSF OPP) Updates Office Hour

About the series

NSF Office of Polar Programs Update Office Hour

Credit: U.S. National Science Foundation

This is the recording of the presentation, questions, and answers from the live event on May 7. OPP leadership discussed recent organizational updates, what to expect going forward, and answered questions that were submitted by and upvoted by the attendees.

Please join NSF OPP leadership and staff for an office hour to discuss recent organizational updates and what to expect going forward.

The goal of this event is to help researchers understand how these changes may affect proposal development and review, and to answer questions from the research community. The session will also offer insight into how OPP operates and is intended to help current and prospective investigators strengthen future proposals. The updates will be most relevant for current and future polar researchers. Closed captioning will be provided.

Please note that all inquiries about specific proposals, either under development, in review or already reviewed, will be redirected to the relevant email alias and not addressed during the session. Similarly, questions regarding operational or logistical details for upcoming field seasons will be redirected to the relevant program email alias.

Please share the registration link with researchers interested in submitting polar research proposals. 

For additional assistance with accessibility and reasonable accommodations, contact rarequest@nsf.gov or call 703-292-8020 to request support. Please contact NSF at least 14 days before your meeting or event date for sessions lasting one day or less and 30 days in advance for sessions lasting two or more consecutive days to allow sufficient time to coordinate arrangements.

OPP Updates Office Hours: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Polar science research and priorities

Q: If proposals are focused on topics that align with Office of Polar Programs’ (OPP's) mission and program areas, but don't contain agency priority areas (i.e., artificial intelligence or quantum information science), should we still submit that proposal?
A: If you are uncertain about program fit, NSF encourages you to contact the appropriate program officer with a summary of your proposed research.

Q: Will the NSF OPP Postdoctoral Research Fellowship (OPP-PRF) return in the future?
A: Although the OPP-PRF solicitation has been archived, OPP remains receptive to proposals that include support for early career and postdoctoral researchers.

Q: Should Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSP) be uploaded as a supplementary document or using the new tool via research.gov?
A: Principal investigators are now required to create and submit DMSP using the tool implemented on Research.gov. Be sure that your DMSP is compliant with OPP's data management policies outlined in NSF 22-106 (Office of Polar Programs Data, Code, and Sample Management Policy | NSF - U.S. National Science Foundation).

Q: Will proposals for social science research in the Arctic still be supported?
A: Yes, the Arctic Social Sciences Program is accepting proposals.

Q: How has engagement with Arctic communities changed over this past year?
A: Meaningful engagement remains an important component of Arctic research. NSF requires approval by Indian Tribes for proposals that may impact tribal resources or interests. OPP guidance for researchers proposing work in the Arctic can be found here.

Q: NSF Arctic Observing Network (AON) was listed as one of the Arctic Program Areas in the presentation. Will AON accept proposals in the future?
A: OPP continues to support an active portfolio of AON awards. There is currently no timetable for new submissions of AON proposals. Any future funding opportunities will be announced through the normal NSF solicitation processes.

Q: With OPP moving out of the Geosciences Directorate, will OPP remain connected with the geoscience community?
A: Research supported by OPP includes a wide range of disciplines covered by many NSF directorates. NSF continues to work closely with all research directorates and offices across NSF.

Q: What is the status of previously submitted proposals?
A: Please reach out to the appropriate program officers for questions regarding pending proposals.

Merit Review

The research community plays an essential role in maintaining an effective merit review system. If you receive an invitation to serve as a reviewer or panelist, a prompt response, even if you must decline, is appreciated. Whenever possible, NSF encourages you to participate as a reviewer or panelist. Your service not only supports the community but also provides valuable insight into the merit review process.

Q: Can you tell us more about the Merit Review changes?
A: The fundamental principles of NSF's merit review process remain unchanged, including the two Merit Review Criteria, Intellectual Merit and Broader Impacts. Revisions to the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (NSF PAPPG) have been communicated in two policy notices found here (supplement 1) and here (supplement 2).

Polar logistics and research support

Q: Are there any updates on the Antarctic Science and Engineering Support Contract?
A: An NSF announcement was made June 2, 2026.

Q: Is NSF providing input into the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) process for designing new icebreakers (sensors and national security)?
A: NSF remains engaged with USCG partners on the progress of the ICE-PACT design/build process. NSF is not a principal agency in this agreement, but NSF does respond to requests for information sent from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, USCG or other stakeholders.

Q: What opportunities exist for Southern Ocean research without either the Research Vessel Icebreaker (RVIB) Nathaniel B Palmer and RV Laurence M. Gould?
A: There will be opportunities utilizing other vessels, with different timelines for planning and implementing fieldwork. If you are interested in proposing research that requires vessels, NSF encourages you to contact the appropriate program officer in advance.

Q: With the consolidation of Antarctic and Arctic science programs to Polar Sciences, will the logistics programs be combined across the Arctic and Antarctic?
A: The Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section and the Arctic Research Support & Logistics Section collaborate, but there are currently no plans to combine research infrastructure programs.

International

Q: Is OPP participating in the U.S. National Science Foundation Geosciences - Natural Environment Research Council (NSF/GEO-NERC) Lead Agency Opportunity (the website says these are limited to specific directorates)?
A: Yes, OPP continues to participate in the NSF-NERC Lead Agency Opportunity.

Q: Will the recently completed ICARP IV recommendations influence NSF Polar priorities?
A: Community-developed research priorities and recommendations, including those from ICARP IV, are important input to NSF and OPP. These inputs help inform NSF's understanding of emerging opportunities and challenges. They do not directly determine funding outcomes.

Q: Are there plans for NSF involvement in the 5th International Polar Year (IPY-5)?
A: NSF is watching IPY-5 developments closely and discussing with other federal agencies how the U.S. might participate.

Budget

Q: In the combined Polar Science section, will the Antarctic and Arctic programs continue to have separate budgets?
A: The combined Polar Sciences Section is supported by a single research budget for both Arctic and Antarctic science activities. This approach provides flexibility to support priorities across the entire polar research portfolio.

Q: How has the change in funding affected the funding rate of proposals?
A: Reductions in budgets necessarily limit the number of proposals NSF can fund, which will impact funding rates.

Q: Will the Antarctic Research Vessel have a separate budget?
A: The request for construction funds for ARV is included in the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) account, which is separate from the account that supports the Office of Polar Programs.