Proposal preparation

The Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) Program supports the fieldwork of research projects funded through the Arctic Sciences Section making Arctic fieldwork safer, more efficient, and cost-effective. Please visit the Arctic Research Support and Logistics (RSL) Program website for more information on RSL. Review the NSF’s Suggested Reading for a foundation about conducting research in the Arctic, and essential information for planning your proposed fieldwork. Additionally, read the full text of the solicitation that you are targeting at the outset of your proposal preparation process, and familiarize yourself with the Arctic Research Opportunities solicitation. 

Please be aware that if your proposal is recommended for funding, Battelle ARO will complete the necessary environmental review and documentation required under the National Environment & Policy Act (NEPA) and other applicable federal environmental regulations. Per the NSF PAPPG, awardees are responsible for acquiring and complying with all permits necessary for their work and are responsible for all activities conducted under the award. Information on permitting, landownership, and environmental regulations, is compiled under the Environmental Compliance section of the Arctic Locations above. Researchers should expect fieldwork permitting to take up to one year. 

Requirements specific to Arctic Research Opportunities Solicitation (NSF 23-572) 

• Proposals involving fieldwork in the Arctic must
  • Describe the field activities in the body of the proposal, including a schedule of proposed work.
  • Describe the costs of the fieldwork either in the grant budget or in Supplementary Documents.
•  The total cost of a proposal, including fieldwork, is considered at the time of review. 
• Any science support provided by third-party organizations must be described in a 1-2 page Supplementary Document that outlines the scope of support and a cost estimate. This includes the Battelle ARO Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) letter. 
• For any instrument or infrastructure deployed to the field, investigators should include the scope and cost for the demobilization or other disposal of the property.