Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (Arctic . - NSF

The Arctic Sciences Section (ARC) in the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) funds scientific research about the Arctic region and provides operational support forArctic research activities. Science programs provide support for disciplinary, interdisciplinary, and convergence investigations directed at understanding theArctic region and its connectivity with lower latitudes.A geographic definition of the Arctic region is provided by the United States Arctic Research and Policy Act (ARPA) of 1984 Section 112(https://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/iarpc/arc res pol act.jsp). Because this solicitation includes research on phenomena that link the Arctic to lower latitudes, theARPA definition should not be viewed as strictly constraining the location of the work proposed. Proposals conducting research outside the Arctic geographicregion should contain a clear statement of how the proposed research will increase our knowledge of the Arctic.II. PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONThe Arctic Sciences Section solicits proposals for dissertation-level research to enhance our understanding of the Arctic, from advancing fundamentaldisciplinary understanding of important Arctic processes, to complex interdisciplinary studies of couplings among social, biological, physical, and geochemicalcomponents of the Arctic system and the changing connections between the Arctic and lower latitudes. Of special interest is research focused on understandingprocesses relevant to social and environmental change. All proposals should discuss explicitly how their results would contribute to increasing our understandingof the Arctic region or its interaction with global systems.Doctoral Dissertation Research is supported within the Arctic Section by the following programs:Arctic Social Science:The Arctic Social Sciences Program (ASSP) supports research on Arctic social and cultural systems, present and past, and research relevant tounderstanding these systems. ASSP welcomes research proposals in all social science disciplines that are funded by the NSF Directorate of Social, Behavioraland Economic Sciences. Topics of particular interest are outlined in the final report for the Arctic Horizons process (arctichorizons.org/final-report). Thesecommunity recommended research priorities include:Past and present drivers of change in the Arctic, including resource, cultural, climate, and economic changesConvergent research on socioecological systemsDemographics of past and present migrationCommunity and social healthFood, water, and energy securityYouth and gender studiesSustainability and sustainable developmentGlobalizationUrban and rural systemsInnovations in data curation, management, sharing, discoverability, and access, including those contributing to synthesis scienceThe Arctic Social Sciences Program especially encourages projects that are circumpolar and/or comparative; involve collaborations between researchers andthose living in the Arctic; or form partnerships among disciplines, regions, researchers, communities, and/or students (K-12, undergraduate, or graduate). Theprogram has a special interest in a wide range of Indigenous scholarship, including Indigenous science and knowledge systems; community participatory-basedresearch models and knowledge co-production; Indigenous conceived and led research projects; and more.Arctic System Science:The Arctic System Science Program supports projects that study systems of the Arctic operating at multiple temporal and spatial scales, systems that can informour understanding of Arctic processes, and the relationship of Arctic systems to other global and regional systems. For ARCSS, the “Arctic system” is definedvery broadly to encourage creative proposals. PIs should ask themselves if their work addresses interactions among several components of the Arctic system,explores emergent behavior in linked subsystems, or otherwise provides essential knowledge, and they should apply that knowledge to system-levelunderstanding.ARCSS projects are often but not always interdisciplinary and can focus on the relationships among physical, chemical, biological, geological, ecological, social,cultural, and/or economic processes. ARCSS welcomes proposals focusing on the cycles of carbon, water, and energy in the functioning of Arctic systems, aswell as the relationship of these cycles to human and social processes occurring in the Arctic. ARCSS also accepts proposals that contribute to betterunderstanding of the interactions and feedbacks between humans and the environment. Theoretical and methodological approaches can include (but are notlimited to) political ecology, historical ecology, human ecodynamics, food security, resilience theory, Indigenous and local knowledge, socioecological systems,coupled natural human systems, risk and vulnerability studies, ecosystem services, and sustainability studies. ARCSS also encourages projects aimed atcreating new knowledge through synthesis of published science, reports and previously collected data to better understand the Arctic system at multiple scales.Arctic Observing NetworkThe goal of the Arctic Observing Network (AON) program is to support integrated and sustained long-term measurements of Arctic system characteristics toaddress hypotheses about mechanisms underlying Arctic environmental system change and its global connections through observation and analysis. Theseprojects should address major drivers and/or impacts of system change and generate data that are intended for wider use by the scientific research communityin understanding the changing Arctic system. AON supports scientific observations and Indigenous Knowledge of biodiversity, ecosystems, human societies,land, ice, marine and freshwater systems, and the atmosphere as well as their social, natural, and/or physical environments. The AON Program will alsoconsider proposals for: (1) development of in situ or remote sensors and autonomous systems that directly enhance AON observations, (2) design andoptimization of coordinated and scalable observing networks, and (3) management of AON data, data access, and data discovery. AON projects shouldcontribute to Arctic system modeling and should leverage other existing national (e.g., US Arctic Observing Network) and international observing efforts (e.g.,Sustained Arctic Observing Networks - https://www.arcticobserving.org/).Proposals that involve process study, model developments, or short-term deployments may be suited to other NSF Arctic programs. Prospective project teamsshould contact the Program Director to discuss the project and determine if it is within AON Program scope. All AON projects must conform to the Office of PolarPrograms Data Policy. AON data are considered community data and not subject to any embargo period. Rapid release of data via a national data center is arequirement for AON projects. There are exceptions for social sciences data, data involving Indigenous or local knowledge, and cases where data release mightcause harm. Proposals must include a data and information management plan that describes how free and rapid access to quality-controlled and fully-4

documented data and information will be achieved during the course of the award. Proposers should be aware that posting figures and tables on a website is notsufficient. The plan must include transfer of all data to a recognized data repository by the conclusion of the award.When possible, the Report on the Goals and Objectives for Arctic Research - https://www.arctic.gov/goals-and-objectives/ - of the US Arctic ResearchCommission, and the Arctic Research Plan - l - of the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC)should be referenced, as appropriate, for alignment with national research objectives and performance elements related to Arctic observations. For proposalsinvolving knowledge co-production and/or local community engagement, prospective PIs are strongly encouraged to put into practice and document that theyhave made efforts to follow the IARPC Principles for Conducting Research in the Arctic - IG Specific InformationDoctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (DDRIG) provide support to enhance and improve the conduct of doctoral dissertation projects conductedby doctoral students enrolled in U.S. IHEs who are conducting scientific research that enhances basic scientific knowledge.Although most grants are for a shorter time period, DDRIG awards may be up to three years in duration. The dissertation does not have to be completed duringthat time period, but costs associated with research activities to be reimbursed with DDRIG funds must be incurred while the award is active.III. AWARD INFORMATIONPending availability of funds, 1,250,000 may be available for proposals to this solicitation. This amount does not include logistics support that may be providedthrough the Arctic Research Support and Logistics program. NSF estimates 25 awards per year as standard or continuing grants. The number of awards andaverage award size and duration are subject to the availability of funds.IV. ELIGIBILITY INFORMATIONWho May Submit Proposals:Proposals may only be submitted by the following:Institutions of Higher Education (IHEs) - Two- and four-year IHEs (including community colleges) accredited in, and having a campuslocated in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: Ifthe proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (includingthrough use of subawards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance atthe international branch campus, and justify why the project activities cannot be performed at the US campus.Who May Serve as PI:The proposal must be submitted through regular organizational channels by the dissertation advisor(s) on behalf of the graduate student. Theadvisor is the Principal Investigator (PI); the student is the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). The student must be the primary author of theproposal with mentorship from the advisor (PI). The student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution of higher education.Limit on Number of Proposals per Organization:There are no restrictions or limits.Limit on Number of Proposals per PI or co-PI:There are no limitations on the number of DDRIGs that may be submitted by an organization on behalf of a single faculty member during aspecific competition or over the course of her/his career. But an organization may submit only two proposals (an original submission and ifnecessary, a resubmission) for any given student over their career, barring special dispensation from the Arctic Sciences Section for a secondresubmission. Such dispensations are rare; they are exclusively at the discretion of the Arctic Program Officer(s).A student and her/his advisor therefore should carefully consider at what point during the student's graduate program the student is ready tosubmit a DDRIG proposal keeping in mind that proposal processing normally takes approximately six months.V. PROPOSAL PREPARATION AND SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONSA. Proposal Preparation InstructionsFull Proposal Preparation Instructions: Proposers may opt to submit proposals in response to this Program Solicitation via Research.gov or Grants.gov.Full Proposals submitted via Research.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation should be prepared and submitted inaccordance with the general guidelines contained in the NSF Proposal and Award Policies and Procedures Guide (PAPPG). The complete text of thePAPPG is available electronically on the NSF website at: https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub summ.jsp?ods key pappg. Paper copies of the PAPPGmay be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mail from nsfpubs@nsf.gov. The Prepare New Proposal5

setup will prompt you for the program solicitation number.Full proposals submitted via Grants.gov: Proposals submitted in response to this program solicitation via Grants.gov should be prepared and submittedin accordance with the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide: A Guide for the Preparation and Submission of NSF Applications via Grants.gov. Thecomplete text of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide is available on the Grants.gov website and on the NSF website at:(https://www.nsf.gov/publications/pub summ.jsp?ods key grantsgovguide). To obtain copies of the Application Guide and Application Forms Package,click on the Apply tab on the Grants.gov site, then click on the Apply Step 1: Download a Grant Application Package and Application Instructions linkand enter the funding opportunity number, (the program solicitation number without the NSF prefix) and press the Download Package button. Papercopies of the Grants.gov Application Guide also may be obtained from the NSF Publications Clearinghouse, telephone (703) 292-8134 or by e-mailfrom nsfpubs@nsf.gov.See PAPPG Chapter II.C.2 for guidance on the required sections of a full research proposal submitted to NSF. Please note that the proposal preparationinstructions provided in this program solicitation may deviate from the PAPPG instructions.Proposals may be returned without review for failing to comply with the PAPPG or NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, this solicitation, or theinstructions that supplement the PAPPG and NSF Grants.gov Application Guide.For the following listed items/sections of the proposal, instructions specific to DDRIG proposals under this solicitation are presented:1. Cover SheetBegin the Project Title with, “Doctoral Dissertation Research:”, followed by a substantive subtitle, which should describe the project in concise,informative language so that a scientifically or technically literate reader could understand what the project is about.Select the specific number of this Arctic DDRIG solicitation in the section labeled Program Announcement/Solicitation.Include the NSF Unit of Consideration information.List the primary dissertation advisor as the PI and list the doctoral student (and other advisors, only if highly appropriate to the conduct of theresearch) as Co-PI(s) in the Remainder of the Cover Sheet section.2. Project DescriptionThe Arctic Sciences Section limits the Project description to 10 single-spaced pages of text plus an additional five pages of figures. One may decreasethe number of text pages to increase figure pages but not the reverse. The "Results from Prior Support" section is not required. Otherwise, proposersshould follow the PAPPG for other general proposal preparation guidelines.As specified in Chapter II, Section C.2.d of the PAPPG and in the comparable section of the NSF Grants.gov Application Guide, the project descriptionshould be a clear statement of the work to be undertaken.To be competitive for funding from the Arctic Sciences Section, the project description should provide clear descriptions of relevant literature andtheoretical frameworks within which the project is set, a complete description of the research methods that will be used, and discussion of the expectedintellectual merit and broader impacts that may result from the project.3. Biographical SketchesBiographical Sketches must be included for both the student and the dissertation advisor(s) and conform to the PAPPG specifications. In addition, thebiographical sketch for the student should include a statement about the student’s current academic status and degree progress; a separate letterconcerning the student's academic status is not required. Do not submit transcripts or letters of reference.4. Other Supplementary DocsLetters of CollaborationIf the research project includes a significant component requiring the involvement of another organization, commitment of a laboratory, foreigngovernment or other individual, it is recommended that the proposal include a letter (or letters) of collaboration in the Supplementary Documentssection. The content of the letter(s) should be limited to a brief description of the committed facilities or resources. Letters of recommendation are notallowed. The Program recognizes that permits to conduct research in non-US countries are often not issued until funding has been secured. Researchprojects must comply with all relevant US law and regulations.Letters of Collaboration (either written as letters or as free-standing e-mail messages) from individuals and/or organizations that will work with thedoctoral student and/or provide in-kind support for the proposed project may be included as supplementary documents. Such letters are not neededfrom other individuals at the student's institution.Letters of collaboration should be brief and focus on the willingness of the letter's author to collaborate or provide in-kind support for the project in waysthat have been outlined in the project description. Such letters should not argue for support of the project by articulating in greater detail what activitiesthe collaborator will undertake and/or by elaborating reasons for supporting the project. Proposers will be required to remove inappropriate lettersbefore their proposal is sent to reviewers.The recommended format for letters of collaboration is as follows:"If the proposal for a Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grant supporting the dissertation work of [insert full name of student] submitted byDr. [insert the full name of the Principal Investigator] entitled [insert the proposal title] is selected for funding by NSF, it is my intent to collaborate and/orcommit resources as detailed in the Project Description or the Facilities, Equipment and Other Resources section of the proposal."Signed Statement from the Principal InvestigatorThe advisor or other faculty member serving as the principal investigator (PI) of the proposal is now required to submit a signed statement affirming thatthe student will be able to undertake the proposed research soon after a DDRIG award is made. In addition, the PI must affirm that she/he has readthe proposal. The following template must be used to prepare this statement, with changes permitted only to provide information where there are blanklines in the template. Additional text is not permitted. The statement must be signed by the PI.Required template for a statement signed by the PI:To: NSF Arctic Sciences Section6

From:[Insert name of the PI]By signing below, I affirm that the doctoral student is at a stage in her/his graduate program that makes it very likely that the student will be able toundertake the dissertation research described in this proposal soon after a DDRIG award is made.I affirm the student is the primary author of the proposal, that I have read this proposal, and I believe that this proposal is appropriate for NSFsubmission.Signed:[Insert PI's signature]IHE:[Insert name of IHE]Date:[Insert date that the statement is signed by the PI]Permit Related DocumentsDissertation research in Arctic science often requires permits to conduct field research or to access materials. Related documentation may be includedas supplementary documents.Please note: Letters of recommendation, transcripts, and other such material may not be included as supplementary documents.5. Data Management PlanAll proposals must include as a supplementary document a plan for data management and sharing the products of research. The data managementplan to be submitted with a proposal must be no longer than two (2) pages in length.This supplementary document should describe how the proposal will conform to NSF policy on the dissemination and sharing of research results. Formore information about this requirement, please see the PAPPG, Chapter II.C.2.j and the Data Management and Sharing Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs). Please note: The Office of Polar Programs has additional guidance for proposals submitted to ASSP and AON programs, please see DearColleague Letter: Data Management and Data Reporting Requirements for Research Awards Supported by the Office of Polar Programs.Note that the Dear Colleague Letter above requires, at a minimum, "Metadata for all Arctic supported data sets must be submitted to the NSF ArcticData Center (https://arcticdata.io)." Questions should be addressed to one of the Program Officers listed above via e-mail.Revised ProposalsRevised proposals must include a brief description of how the resubmitted proposal has been revised in response to reviewer and/or panel comments as part ofthe body of the Project Description section of the proposal.Principles for the Conduct of Research in the ArcticInvestigators are strongly encouraged to put into practice and document that they have made efforts to follow the Principles for Conducting Research in theArctic, prepared by the Social Science Task Force of the U.S. Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC), approved by IARPC in 1990, and revisedin 2018. These Principles are listed at https://www.nsf.gov/geo/opp/arctic/conduct.jsp. Investigators may find useful the Guidelines for Improved Cooperationbetween Arctic Researchers and Northern Commu

Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (Arctic DDRIG) Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Sciences, and Arctic Observing Network (DDRIG) PROGRAM SOLICITATION NSF 20-597 National Science Foundation Directorate for Geosciences Office of Polar Programs Full Proposal Deadline(s) (due by 5 p.m. submitter's local time): December .