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Resources for NSF-funded Researchers and Arctic Communities


A Beaver floatplane in Alaska, Kevin Pettway

The Foundation has supported the creation of numerous resources for NSF-funded researchers and people living in the Arctic to better understand the entire landscape of ongoing Arctic research, access data and information related to NSF-funded research, and learn more about the Indigenous peoples in the Arctic and ethical behavior expected of NSF-funded researchers working in the Arctic.

Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program (ANSEP) ANSEP is a longitudinal education model that provides a continuous string of components beginning with students in sixth grade and continuing on through high school, into science and engineering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through to the PhD. ANSEP’s objective is to effect systemic change in the hiring patterns of Alaska Natives in science and engineering by placing our students on a career path to leadership.

Arctic Data Center The Arctic Data Center is the primary repository for the NSF Arctic Sciences Section of the Office of Polar Programs and the Navigating the New Arctic Program. Its mission is to help the research community preserve and discover all products of NSF-funded science in the Arctic, including data, metadata, software, and documents.

The Arctic Research Mapping Application (ARMAP) ARMAP is designed for funding agencies, logistics planners, research investigators, students, and others to explore information about science being conducted across the Arctic. Hundreds of project locations and ship tracks are shown on the interactive web map, with easy access to details on funding agency, funding program, scientific discipline, principal investigator, project title, and much more.

Arctic Research Support & Logistics (RSL) RSL Program supports the fieldwork of research projects funded through science programs in the NSF Arctic Sciences Section. The RSL program supports facilities and services to the research community through grants, cooperative agreements, interagency agreements, memorandums of understanding, and contracts.

ARCUS page on Conducting Research with Northern Communities Scientific research in the Arctic necessitates good communication and cooperation with northern communities. This webpage lists a compilation of resources, recommendations, and "good practices" from a variety of organizations.

Center for Advancing Research Impact in Society (ARIS) The ARIS Center works with scientists and engagement practitioners to build capacity, advance scholarship, grow partnerships and provide resources to help them engage with and demonstrate the impact of research in their communities and society. A key focus and task of ARIS includes collaboration with international colleagues to share practices and resources around broader impact, knowledge mobilization, societal impacts, valorization, and research uptake.

ISAAFFIK - ISAAFFIK Arctic Gateway is a user driven web platform supporting Arctic research and collaboration in Greenland. ISAAFFIK provides overview of Arctic infrastructure; facilitates collaboration of research, education, consultancy, infrastructure, and logistics; and increases fieldwork safety by making projects visible to authorities and other parties.

Navigating the New Arctic (NNA) Community Office. NNA-CO provides leadership and coordination to support use-inspired convergence research in the Arctic-collaborative research that deeply draws on information and expertise from across disciplines and knowledge systems to solve complex challenges. Using the set of guiding principles and advised by research and Indigenous advisory boards, the NNA-CO builds awareness, partnerships, opportunities, and resources for collaboration and equitable knowledge generation within, between, and beyond research projects funded through the NSF Navigating the New Arctic Initiative.

Principles for Conducting Research in the Arctic These Principles are directed at academic and federal researchers funded by Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) agencies but are equally relevant to other individuals and organizations pursuing or funding research in the Arctic. They are guidelines for conducting responsible and ethical research and they encourage respect for all individuals, cultures, and the environment. The Principles are not intended to supplant existing regulations and guidelines; researchers should follow federal, state, and local regulations, policies and guidelines. Research involving human subjects must adhere to specific requirements.

R/V Sikuliaq and Arctic Communities - Acknowledging the importance of maritime subsistence activities in Arctic coastal regions, the Community and Environmental Compliance Standard Operating Procedures (CECSOP) for R/V Sikuliaq Research Operations provides guidance to scientists that intend to use R/V Sikuliaq to conduct research activities. Researchers and coastal community members use the process to discuss research cruise plans and avoid conflicts between scientific research activity and subsistence hunting or other cultural practices. In this way, the needs of both Sikuliaq researchers and coastal community members are addressed.

Ukpeaġvik Iñupiat Corporation (UIC) Science - UIC Science assists visiting scientists conducting research in on the North Slope of Alaska with their projects’ logistical needs and permitting. UIC Science hires local Iñupiat staff members that are extremely knowledgeable about the Arctic environment. From Arctic orientation and facilities planning, to vehicle maintenance, and polar bear protection, UIC Science works to ensure researchers’ needs are addressed.