Opportunity Information: Apply for 22 635
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF) program is a discretionary grant opportunity designed to support early-career researchers who want to build strong, independent research careers connected to Arctic and/or Antarctic science. The fellowship is aimed at helping new investigators grow beyond a single discipline, form new collaborations that link polar and non-polar research communities, and broaden access to polar research for scientists who have historically had fewer opportunities to engage with polar field sites, facilities, data, and networks. While the program is rooted in polar research, it explicitly welcomes a wide range of fields, including social science, and it encourages new perspectives and methods that have not traditionally been part of polar research.
A major focus of the opportunity is career development and community integration, not just the research project itself. Fellows carry out an OPP-relevant research plan while being affiliated with a U.S.-based host institution and working with identified scientific mentor(s). Beyond the research, selected fellows participate in a professional development program intended to strengthen mentoring skills and promote leadership development. The program also emphasizes meaningful involvement in activities that increase participation in polar STEM among groups that have had limited engagement historically, aligning the fellowship with broader workforce and inclusion goals in the polar science community.
Eligibility is tightly defined and is centered on the individual applicant. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents at the time of submission. They must have earned a doctoral degree (or expect to earn it) before the fellowship start date, and they cannot have accumulated more than 24 months total full-time-equivalent work experience in positions that require a PhD by the full proposal target date. The proposed project plan must fit within one of OPPs supported research programs, meaning the work needs to be clearly aligned with NSF OPP scientific priorities rather than being a general postdoctoral fellowship unrelated to polar research.
Applications are submitted directly by the fellowship candidate as an individual (not by an institution). Each candidate must identify one or more scientific mentors and secure an affiliation with a U.S. host organization. Acceptable hosts include U.S. institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges), non-profit non-academic organizations such as museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies, and for-profit U.S. research organizations, including small businesses with strong research or education capabilities. Although the fellow submits the proposal, if NSF recommends an award the proposal is transferred to the host institution, where the fellow will be listed as the Principal Investigator (PI). The award is then issued and administered as a standard research award through the host institution(s).
The program encourages fellows to pursue the fellowship at an institution that is new to them, because moving into a different environment is seen as a way to broaden experience, deepen interdisciplinary training, and expand professional networks. At the same time, NSF recognizes that relocation is not feasible for everyone, so staying at a current or prior institution is allowed. However, if the host is the candidates graduate or current institution, the proposal needs to clearly justify why remaining there will materially benefit both the research outcomes and the candidates professional development.
The solicitation also highlights that applicants from groups historically underrepresented in STEM are especially encouraged to apply, including women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities. It also notes encouragement for individuals who have attended community colleges or minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Alaska Native Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions. Finally, the program makes clear that eligibility is enforced: proposals that do not meet the stated requirements can be returned without review, and submission constitutes a certification that all eligibility statements are true. Providing false information is treated as a serious offense under federal law.
Key administrative details from the listing include that the agency is the National Science Foundation, the funding instrument is a grant, the activity category is science and technology and other research and development, and the CFDA number is 47.050. The original closing date shown is 2025-02-03, and the opportunity is labeled as Funding Opportunity Number 22-635.Apply for 22 635
- The National Science Foundation in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowships" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 47.050.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2022-10-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-02-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Eligible applicants include: Others.
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NSF OPP Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF) - FAQs
What is the NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF) program?
The NSF OPP Postdoctoral Research Fellowships (OPP-PRF) program is a discretionary grant opportunity that supports early-career researchers pursuing independent research careers connected to Arctic and/or Antarctic science. In addition to supporting an OPP-relevant research plan, the fellowship places a strong emphasis on career development, mentoring, leadership development, and integration into the polar science community.
What is the main purpose of this fellowship?
The fellowship is designed to help new investigators build strong, independent research careers by expanding beyond a single discipline, forming new collaborations that connect polar and non-polar research communities, and broadening access to polar research opportunities for scientists who have historically had fewer opportunities to engage with polar field sites, facilities, data, and networks.
Is this fellowship only for traditional polar science fields?
No. While the program is rooted in Arctic and Antarctic research, it explicitly welcomes a wide range of fields, including social science. The solicitation encourages new perspectives and methods that have not traditionally been part of polar research.
Does the program focus only on the research project?
No. A major focus is career development and community integration. Fellows conduct an OPP-relevant research plan while also participating in a professional development program intended to strengthen mentoring skills and promote leadership development.
Are fellows expected to participate in outreach or inclusion-related activities?
Yes. The program emphasizes meaningful involvement in activities that increase participation in polar STEM among groups that have historically had limited engagement. This aligns the fellowship with broader workforce and inclusion goals in the polar science community.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is centered on the individual applicant. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents at the time of submission. Applicants must have earned a doctoral degree (or expect to earn it) before the fellowship start date. In addition, applicants cannot have accumulated more than 24 months total full-time-equivalent work experience in positions that require a PhD by the full proposal target date.
When must citizenship or permanent residency eligibility be met?
Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or U.S. permanent residents at the time of submission.
Do applicants need to have the PhD in hand when applying?
Not necessarily. Applicants must have earned the doctoral degree or expect to earn it before the fellowship start date.
What does the 24-month work experience limitation mean?
By the full proposal target date, applicants cannot have more than 24 months total full-time-equivalent work experience in positions that require a PhD. This limit is based on time in PhD-required roles, not simply time since degree conferral.
What kinds of research projects are eligible?
The proposed project plan must fit within one of the NSF OPP supported research programs. In practice, the work must be clearly aligned with NSF OPP scientific priorities rather than being a general postdoctoral project unrelated to polar research.
Who submits the application: the institution or the individual?
The fellowship candidate applies directly as an individual. The application is submitted by the candidate (not by an institution) and must include identified scientific mentor(s) and an affiliation with a U.S.-based host organization.
What is the role of the host institution if the applicant applies as an individual?
The candidate submits the proposal, but if NSF recommends an award the proposal is transferred to the host institution. The fellow is listed as the Principal Investigator (PI), and the award is issued and administered as a standard research award through the host institution(s).
Does the fellow have to be affiliated with a U.S. host institution?
Yes. Fellows carry out their OPP-relevant research plan while being affiliated with a U.S.-based host institution and working with identified scientific mentor(s).
What types of organizations can serve as the host?
Acceptable hosts include U.S. institutions of higher education (two-year and four-year colleges and universities, including community colleges), non-profit non-academic organizations (such as museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies), and for-profit U.S. research organizations (including small businesses) that have strong research or education capabilities.
Can a community college be a host institution?
Yes. Two-year institutions, including community colleges, are explicitly listed as acceptable host organizations.
Are non-academic hosts allowed (for example, museums or research labs)?
Yes. Non-profit non-academic organizations such as museums, observatories, research labs, and professional societies are listed as acceptable hosts.
Can a for-profit organization host an OPP-PRF fellow?
Yes. For-profit U.S. research organizations, including small businesses with strong research or education capabilities, are eligible to serve as hosts.
Do applicants need to identify mentors?
Yes. Each candidate must identify one or more scientific mentors as part of the proposal and host affiliation.
Is it required to move to a new institution to hold the fellowship?
No. The program encourages fellows to pursue the fellowship at an institution that is new to them, because a new environment can broaden experience, deepen interdisciplinary training, and expand professional networks. However, NSF recognizes relocation is not feasible for everyone, so remaining at a current or prior institution is allowed.
If the host institution is the applicant's graduate or current institution, is that allowed?
Yes, but the proposal needs to clearly justify why remaining at that institution will materially benefit both the research outcomes and the candidate's professional development.
What groups are especially encouraged to apply?
The solicitation states that applicants from groups historically underrepresented in STEM are especially encouraged to apply, including women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities. It also encourages individuals who have attended community colleges or minority-serving institutions, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Alaska Native Serving Institutions, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions.
How strictly is eligibility enforced?
Eligibility is explicitly enforced. Proposals that do not meet the stated requirements can be returned without review. Submission constitutes a certification that all eligibility statements are true, and providing false information is treated as a serious offense under federal law.
What federal agency is offering this opportunity?
The agency is the National Science Foundation (NSF), through the Office of Polar Programs (OPP).
What is the funding instrument for this opportunity?
The funding instrument is a grant.
What is the activity category for this grant?
The activity category is Science and Technology and Other Research and Development.
What is the CFDA number for this opportunity?
The CFDA number listed is 47.050.
What is the Funding Opportunity Number?
The Funding Opportunity Number is 22-635.
What is the closing date shown in the listing?
The original closing date shown is 2025-02-03.
Where is the fellowship administered if an award is made?
If NSF recommends an award, the proposal is transferred to the host institution, and the award is issued and administered as a standard research award through the host institution(s), with the fellow listed as PI.
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