Arctic fieldwork update for 2026
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has the following updates for the Arctic research community preparing for fieldwork in 2026.
Following a reorganization at NSF, the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is now in the Office of Research Infrastructure (ORI) which falls within the Office of the Director. The science programs for Arctic and Antarctic research are managed together in the Polar Sciences Section with John Hannan as Section Head. The Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) program is now organized as a Section with Renee Crain as acting section head.
REMINDERS FOR 2026
Resources available for researchers
The RSL website provides an overview of the expert services available for researchers in the Arctic. Many services are offered to the research community through the prime support contract, currently held by Battelle Arctic Research Operations (Battelle ARO), that hosts the Battelle ARO Arctic Gateway website.
Field safety training available
Field safety training is available to NSF grantees through Battelle ARO. Individuals can join existing courses and projects and request specific training. Field teams are encouraged to take the optional field safety training together. For more information on available training, please refer to the "Arctic training options" on the Arctic Gateway website.
'Polar Code of Conduct' training
The "Polar Code of Conduct" applies to everyone deploying to the field with support from NSF. All field team members are expected to take the online training, available on the Arctic Gateway website. Scroll down to the "My Gateway" link to select training and sign the "Code of Conduct."
Harassment prevention and response training
Harassment of any kind is not tolerated by NSF in any setting, including fieldwork. Battelle ARO offers online training on harassment prevention and response for everyone deploying to field settings to prevent, identify and respond to harassment. Battelle ARO also provides online reporting mechanisms, including a third-party contractor that can receive reports anonymously and investigate incidents.
NSF is committed to strategies that promote a safe and harassment-free working environment and to responding effectively in the event of sexual misconduct or assault. Please utilize the resources available on the Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) website. Additionally, all members of the Arctic research community have 24/7 access to support resources through the NSF Safer Science Helpline. Helpline specialists provide live, confidential, one-on-one crisis intervention, emotional support and information, including reporting resources, for victims of sexual violence.
Anyone who experiences or observes harassment of any kind or bullying is asked to please reach out for aid to resolve the situation through any of the following means: Battelle ARO Arctic Gateway Code of Conduct, NSF SAHPR, your employer, your university/institution Title IX office or equivalent, your grant or RSL program officer, OPP senior leadership and/or the OPP safety officer. All crimes, including assault, will be reported to the relevant authorities.
Fieldwork should be an enriching experience for everyone involved. Please ensure that field teams have tools to prevent and respond to such incidents.
Grantee risk management and emergency response
Awardees and their institutions are responsible for the safety of people on the project during fieldwork. Principal investigators (PIs) should work with their institutional risk management office to develop an emergency response plan for the project and integrate this into the season plan that is prepared by Battelle ARO. PIs are encouraged to utilize the risk management services provided by NSF through the Battelle ARO contract and may connect their institutional risk management office with the NSF field safety manager at opp-safety@nsf.gov.
In the event of an emergency during fieldwork, the awardee should alert their institution's risk management office and their Battelle ARO emergency contact. Each emergency is different, and Battelle ARO and NSF will provide expertise as needed. Cost incurred by NSF in response to search and rescue or other emergency response will be billed back to the institution. PIs should ensure they have appropriate search and rescue and medical evacuation insurance.
Occupational health incidents, near misses and good catches
NSF tracks accidents, incidents, injuries, and near misses/good catches to prevent future occurrences and flag systemic risks. A near miss/good catch is something that could have resulted in an injury or damage to property but was noticed and corrected before that could happen. Please communicate incidents, near misses/good catches through the Arctic Gateway, your Battelle ARO project manager, or the Battelle ARO health and safety team. Anonymized information about past incidents and near misses is shared online to ensure everyone can learn from previous occurrences and have information about the types of hazards in the program. NSF appreciates all contributions to this database to characterize risks and help prevent future occurrences.
Alaska permitting and tribal consultation
Researchers are responsible for identifying and securing all permits for their work and for working effectively with tribes and communities in the Arctic. This story map and the Alaska lands map are resources to support permitting and tribal consultation for research in Alaska.
Greenland permitting
Researchers are responsible for identifying and securing all permits for their work, including expedition permits and permits to transport or carry firearms. This Greenland permitting story map walks researchers through many of the requirements, points of contact and timeline for permitting. Initiate permit applications as early as possible and no later than three (3) months prior to fieldwork. Applications can be submitted through the Government of Greenland's Ministry for Nature and Environment's online form. For questions regarding permit requirements, contact the government of Greenland directly at ekspeditioner@nanoq.gl.
Drone use
Researchers are responsible for complying with all applicable drone polices in the location of operation and with the "American Drone Security Act of 2023" that prohibits the use of NSF funds to purchase drones that are manufactured or assembled by a foreign entity and drone operation by prohibited foreign entities.
International travel
Registering with the U.S. Department of State Smart Traveler Enrollment Program provides email updates and alerts related to your country of travel.
Deadlines for detailed logistics arrangements
Specific details about your field team and travel dates should be identified as early as possible and no later than the timeline below due to vendor shortages and other factors that can impact fieldwork:
- Alaska – Finalize plans six (6) weeks prior to deployment.
- Greenland/other international destination(s) – Finalize plans eight (8) weeks prior to deployment.
- Air charters – Finalize plans 10 weeks prior to deployment (see below).
Good communication with your Battelle ARO project manager and early planning will help make your project successful. Battelle ARO is dedicated to supporting research teams and responding to field emergencies. Please communicate with project managers and other staff about your project Monday through Friday during regular business hours. The 24/7 phone numbers provided in the season plan are only for emergencies.
Air charters
Battelle ARO must request competitive bids for air charter contracts and complete an extensive review prior to awarding air contracts. Please submit detailed air charter requirements to your Battelle ARO project manager no later than 10 weeks prior to deployment to allow time for this process. Necessary details include locations/coordinates, schedule, cargo/passenger requirements and special needs (e.g., sling loads, special door size, specific aircraft or mounting instrumentation). Once the contract is in place, researchers can coordinate their specific activities with the aircraft vendor within the scope of the air contract.
Firearms
In some locations, the risk of encountering wildlife makes carrying a firearm a necessary part of managing safety risk. Researchers and their institutions are responsible for firearms and firearm training. Battelle ARO does not issue firearms. Science teams conducting fieldwork in the Northeast Greenland National Park are required to bring firearms as a condition of the government of Greenland expedition permit. Teams bringing firearms to Greenland must coordinate logistics to transport firearms and ammunition with Battelle ARO three (3) months in advance of travel and in accordance with U.S. Transportation Security Administration regulations. NSF requires that all personnel who take firearms into the field complete a firearms safety training class provided by a qualified, recognized organization. Firearms shall remain in locked storage separate from ammunition when not in use for protection against wildlife.
Contact information
These updates are provided to help ensure safe, successful and efficient fieldwork for everyone supported by NSF. Please reach out if you have any questions by emailing rsl@nsf.gov.