General Information
Researchers planning to include a Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimate for logistics support from Battelle ARO in their proposals are asked to provide Battelle ARO with a detailed support request 4 weeks prior to the date the estimate is required. Battelle ARO reserves the right to turn down proposal assistance requests received after the 4-week cutoff due to work-load constraints. Early submissions are strongly encouraged.
Researchers should plan to include the Battelle ARO ROM estimate when submitting proposals so that the NSF can consider the full cost of the proposal, including logistics costs, during the review process.
Photo by: Kevin Pettway
Proposal Estimate Support Steps
STEPS FOR DEVELOPING A PROPOSAL ESTIMATE WITH BATTELLE ARO
STEP ONE:
DEVELOP PROPOSED LOGISTICS PLAN
During this process, you will work with Battelle ARO to develop a proposed logistics plan. To start, please review the Suggested Reading by NSF, and investigate information about the locations you plan to work.STEP TWO:
FILL OUT FORM
Fill out the form to start the process or contact Battelle ARO directly with your request.STEP THREE:
FINALIZE PROPOSED LOGISTICS PLAN
Work with Battelle ARO to finalize your proposed logistics plan and review the ROM letter provided by Battelle ARO.STEP FOUR:
SUBMIT ROM LETTER
Include the Battelle ARO ROM letter in your proposal submission as a supplementary document.Project Location information
ALASKA
Photo By: Mark Urban
GREENLAND
Photo by: Kelly Cheek
ARCTIC OCEAN
Photo by: Matt Covington
CANADA
Photo by: Louise Farquharson
RUSSIA
Photo by: Jorian Vonk
OTHER ARCTIC LOCATIONS
Photo by: Tom Quinn
Request to work with Battelle ARO
on your proposal estimate
Other information about working in the Arctic
Other Information
Proposal submitted to the ARO solicitation (NSF 21-526)
Proposal submitted to the ARO solicitation (NSF 21-526)
Researchers submitting to the ARO solicitation (NSF 21-526) should review the solicitation, specifically the section entitled 'Proposals Involving Arctic Field Work' (under 'Proposal preparation Instructions'). NSF will consider the full cost of supporting a project, including logistics, prior to making recommendations. To access the ARO solicitation, search for document number “21-526” at http://www.nsf.gov/publications/ods/.
Proposals submitted to NSF programs outside of the Section of Arctic Sciences
Proposals submitted to NSF programs outside of the Section of Arctic Sciences
Researchers submitting proposals to NSF outside of the Section of Arctic Sciences (ARC) can request logistics support from Battelle ARO. Support will be contingent on NSF approval, and the funding program will be responsible for all logistics costs provided by Battelle ARO. ARC provides funding for arctic logistics in proposals outside of ARC if there is scientific interest in the proposal. NSF program managers make these decisions and co-funding arrangements within NSF. We suggest you specifically bring your proposal to the attention of Dr. Frank Rack to ensure co-review by the ARC.
Battelle ARO support via a reimbursable arrangement
Battelle ARO support via a reimbursable arrangement
The NSF Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) program offers logistics support to non-NSF projects working in the Arctic via a reimbursable arrangement. All support is contingent on NSF approval. For additional information, please contact arctic.planning@battelle.org.
Planning Third Party Logistics support in your proposal
Planning Third Party Logistics support in your proposal
In addition to the logistics support provided by Battelle ARO, RSL provides support via other third-party providers such as the Ice Drilling Program (IDP), Toolik Field Station (TFS) and UNAVCO. RSL engages these third-party providers through NSF subcontracts, grants, and cooperative agreements. In many cases, using one of the third-party providers reduces the overall logistics costs to a proposal due to resource sharing and economies of scale. For the full list of third-party providers, visit the Arctic Research Support and Logistics Program (RSL) website.
Important items to consider when submitting your proposal
Important items to consider when submitting your proposal
When you submit a proposal to the NSF that includes field work, you must include a logistics description in the timeline/work plan section. If you plan to pay for field logistics through your grant, you must also include the year-by-year costs in your budget and detail the costs in your budget justification.
If you would like assistance from a third-party provider, do not include these costs as a budget line item. Instead, identify your plans clearly and realistically in the logistics description, include statements in your budget justification signaling your intent to request third-party logistics provider support, and obtain a support letter and budget estimate from the provider to include as a supplementary document to your proposal. If your proposal is awarded, this ROM estimate will form the basis of the approved logistics support scope. Researchers who request logistics support/funds beyond the scope of that identified in their funded proposal will be required to justify changes to their Program Officer before any additional support or funding is approved. For this reason, it’s important to clearly identify all anticipated support requirements at the proposal stage.
If you plan to use Battelle ARO as your logistics provider, we will work with you to develop a ROM estimate for inclusion in your proposal. For additional information, please contact arctic.planning@battelle.org.
