Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants (Arctic DDRIG) Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Sciences, and Arctic Observing Network
Grant Opportunity Analysis
The U.S. National Science Foundation is offering Arctic Doctoral Dissertation Research Improvement Grants to support dissertation-level research related to the Arctic region through its Arctic Social Sciences, Arctic System Science, and Arctic Observing Network programs. The funding is intended for projects that advance fundamental, process, and systems-level understanding of the Arctic’s changing natural environment and social and cultural systems, and that can improve projections of future change where appropriate. Proposals must be submitted by U.S. institutions of higher education through the dissertation advisor on behalf of the graduate student, with the student as co-principal investigator and primary author; the program also supports early-career research capacity and Arctic STEM workforce development. The deadline is June 15, 2026, NSF lists an estimated total program funding of $1,250,000, and grant questions can be directed to grantsgovsupport@nsf.gov.
Eligible Applicants
*Who 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 campus located in the US, acting on behalf of their faculty members. Special Instructions for International Branch Campuses of US IHEs: If the proposal includes funding to be provided to an international branch campus of a US institution of higher education (including through use of sub-awards and consultant arrangements), the proposer must explain the benefit(s) to the project of performance at the 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. The advisor is the Principal Investigator (PI); the student is the Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI). <span>The student must be the primary author of the proposal with mentorship from the advisor (PI).</span> The student must be enrolled at a U.S. institution of higher education.