No. 20-597 · U.S. National Science Foundation
Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (Arctic DDRIG) Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Sciences, and Arctic Observing Network
- Award range
- Not specified
- Expected awards
- Not specified
- Application deadline
- Dec 15, 2026
- Posted
- Apr 14, 2026
- Last verified
- 5 days ago
At a glance
AI summaryThis program funds doctoral dissertation research that improves understanding of the Arctic, including Arctic social science, Arctic system science, and Arctic observing network studies. It is for doctoral students enrolled at U.S. institutions of higher education, with the dissertation advisor submitting as the principal investigator and the student as co-principal investigator. Pending funding, NSF says up to $1,250,000 may be available and estimates about 25 awards a year, but the award size can vary. Awards may last up to three years. There are no stated cost-share requirements, and proposals involving an international branch campus must explain why the work must be done there and how it benefits the project.
AI-generated summary — verify against the announcement
What it funds
Official description from grants.gov
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
- Others
Program history
USASpending.govAssistance listing 47.050 · Geosciences
Real awards this federal program has made — the whole assistance listing (47.050), not just this notice.
| Fiscal year | Awards | Median award | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| FY 2026 (so far) | 628 | $389,288 | $209,626 – $543,580 |
| FY 2025 | 920 | $368,108 | $202,000 – $593,558 |
| FY 2024 | 1,251 | — | — |
| FY 2023 | 1,285 | — | — |
| FY 2022 | 1,315 | — | — |
| FY 2021 | 1,504 | — | — |
Dollar figures are based on the 1,000 most recent awards we store, not all 6,903 — award counts are complete.
- EARTHSCOPE CONSORTIUM INC. $59,141,331 · FY 2025
- UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SAN DIEGO $6,457,844 · FY 2025
- REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN $6,000,000 · FY 2025
- CALIFORNIA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY $4,780,833 · FY 2026
- UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER $2,999,998 · FY 2026
Source: USASpending.gov · refreshed Sep 4, 2026
Change history
Since we first indexed it- Jul 25, 2026 Grant announcement document replaced