Media Advisory 17-009

NSF offers opportunity for media to deploy to Greenland

Deployments would occur in late July or August, with selections made on a competitive basis

Greenland ice sheet

The Greenland ice sheet.


June 21, 2017

This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting proposals from media professionals to visit Greenland and report on scientific research in the Arctic supported by NSF's Office of Polar Programs.

Competitive proposals must include the following:

• A documented ability to reach the widest possible U.S. audience across a variety of platforms (broadcast, print, web and social media).

• A solid field plan that indicates how the outlet will clearly and objectively report on science supported by NSF.

Application deadline: 5 p.m. EDT on June 28, 2017. Media must submit proposals electronically by email or as an email attachment to Peter West at pwest@nsf.gov.

Selection: A panel consisting of science and logistics staff from the Office of Polar Programs and media officers from NSF's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs will review all proposals and select finalists. The panel will look for proposals that indicate an understanding of the nature and challenges of NSF's scientific enterprise in the Arctic and demonstrate a desire and ability to communicate that understanding to the public.

Application: Applications that stand the best chance of selection will indicate a solid working knowledge of scientific research in Greenland and of NSF's science goals, and will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate about NSF-funded research to a wide audience, as described above.

Peter West, Polar Programs' media and outreach manager, can discuss with potential applicants the requirements for Arctic deployment and provide access to NSF-supported researchers scheduled to be in the field during the deployment. NSF strongly suggests that potential applicants discuss their proposed deployment prior to submitting a proposal.

Deployment period: Deployment would occur sometime in late July or August, for a period of about 10 working days. Actual dates depend on story planning and logistics discussions.

Deployment locations: Some operating locations in Greenland are remote and accessible only by small aircraft or helicopter. Some locations are at high altitude, including Summit Station, which sits at an altitude of more than 11,000 feet. Please consider the fitness of field team members for deployments under these conditions prior to submitting the application.

Medical: Medical or dental examinations may be required, depending upon the sites that applicants choose to visit and the proposed duration of stay. Certain medical conditions detected during the physical or dental examinations, if required, may disqualify a candidate from visiting Greenland, even if initially selected as a media-visitor finalist.

Expenses: Selected media, or their employers, are responsible for all costs associated with travel to and from Stratton Air Base in New York. Transportation from Stratton Air Base to Kangerlussuaq, Greenland is provided by the New York Air National Guard aboard an LC-130 aircraft.

Participants may elect to arrange their own commercial transport to/from Greenland, as well as air transport in/around Greenland. Some air transport in/around Greenland may be provided by NSF on a case-dependent basis. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their plans with Peter West to determine what costs they will be required to cover and what NSF will provide.

Food, lodging, ground transportation and other miscellaneous expenses are the responsibility of the participants, except at the NSF-owned and operated Summit Station, where food and lodging are provided. Participants may elect to pay for these costs as well. Transportation to remote field camps may be provided if it falls within the planned scope of work for the research project. Participants may be required to pay for aircraft charters or other incremental costs associated with their participation. Applicants are encouraged to discuss plans and options with Peter West.

Additional information: Applicants can use the Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP) to learn about current research in Greenland, and the website for the primary logistics contractor for more information about visiting Greenland.

NOTE: Travelers are required to have travel insurance that covers the cost of medical evacuation. If search-and-rescue is required by any of the participants, the participants will be billed to reimburse the costs.

-NSF-

Media Contacts
Peter West, NSF, (703) 292-7530, email: pwest@nsf.gov

The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.

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