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Antarctic Artists and Writers Program (NSF) - Frequently Asked Questions

1) What is the Antarctic Artists and Writers Program?

The Antarctic Artists and Writers Program is a National Science Foundation (NSF) opportunity that enables U.S. artists and writers to travel to Antarctica when being on site is essential to completing a proposed creative project. The program is designed to support creative work that improves public understanding and appreciation of Antarctica, especially the scientific research and human experience associated with the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).

2) Is this a cash grant, or does NSF pay participants directly?

No. This program does not provide cash awards and does not pay participants directly. Instead, NSF support is provided as in-kind logistical support through USAP.

3) What does the program provide if it does not provide cash?

The program provides in-kind logistical support through the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP). This includes operational support in Antarctica and round-trip economy airfare between the United States and the Southern Hemisphere.

4) What expenses are not covered by this opportunity?

The program does not cover typical project expenses such as salaries, artist fees, living costs beyond what USAP logistics provide, materials, production costs, or costs to finish or distribute the final work.

5) Why is the support described as "riding along" with USAP?

USAP maintains a major operational presence in Antarctica primarily to support scientific research and education. Selected artists and writers effectively "ride along" within this existing scientific and operational framework, using established platforms and resources in ways that fit safely and realistically into Antarctic field operations.

6) What kinds of Antarctic infrastructure and platforms might be involved?

The solicitation describes USAP infrastructure that includes three year-round U.S. research stations, a network of seasonal (austral-summer) field camps, research vessels operating in the Southern Ocean, and surface and air transportation systems that move people and cargo throughout the region.

7) What is the main goal of the program?

The core goal is to improve public understanding and appreciation of Antarctica and the work being done there. The program is intended to translate Antarctic science, research activities, and the broader human experience of living and working on the southernmost continent into compelling artistic and literary outputs for the public.

8) What types of projects are prioritized?

Proposals that directly interpret or represent ongoing scientific research and activities in Antarctica (or research about the Antarctic region) are given priority. The strongest projects are typically those that meaningfully engage with the science, the scientists, and the Antarctic environment, and then communicate those insights in accessible ways.

9) Does the resulting work need to be intended for a specific audience?

Yes. A key requirement is that the resulting work must be aimed at audiences in the United States.

10) Does the final work have to be shown or distributed in the United States?

Yes. The work must ultimately be distributed, presented, or exhibited in the U.S. This is described as a central eligibility and impact expectation of the program.

11) Is this program meant to simply enable an Antarctic experience?

No. The opportunity is positioned as a mechanism to support projects that produce work reaching U.S. communities and improving understanding of Antarctica and the efforts taking place there, not as a general-purpose travel opportunity.

12) Are site installations or performances in Antarctica supported?

No. The program does not support site installations or performances in Antarctica. Proposals centered on creating an on-continent installation, staging an event, or mounting a performance in the Antarctic environment are described as outside the program's scope.

13) Are journalistic or short-term reporting projects eligible?

The solicitation indicates that the program does not support short-term projects that are essentially journalistic in nature. Applicants whose projects resemble journalism are directed to consider other NSF options referenced in the solicitation.

14) Why does logistics matter so much in this program?

Logistics are described as decisive because Antarctic operations have tight constraints related to schedules, transportation, safety rules, and station/camp capacity. The requested support must be realistic and compatible with planned field operations.

15) Can a proposal be declined before it is reviewed by a panel?

Yes. If NSF polar operations staff determine before panel review that the requested logistical support cannot be accommodated in the upcoming field season, the proposal can be returned without review.

16) Is applicants' communication with NSF encouraged before submitting?

Yes. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the Program Officer before submitting a proposal. This is presented as a way to assess fit and to determine whether the project and its logistical needs are feasible.

17) What role does NSF's mission in Antarctica play in this program?

NSF's main mission in Antarctica is scientific research and education. The Artists and Writers Program is framed as a way to interpret and communicate that science and the human endeavor supporting it through artistic and literary work.

18) What agency runs this opportunity?

The opportunity is described as a National Science Foundation (NSF) program, with logistical support provided through the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP).

19) How many awards were expected in the posted solicitation?

The solicitation details referenced in the notice indicated an expected number of around four awards.

20) What was the closing date shown in the source notice?

The closing date shown in the source notice was June 1, 2016.

21) What type of funding opportunity was it listed as in the posting?

In the posted solicitation details, NSF listed it as a discretionary grant under the science and technology/research and development category, with CFDA 47.050 (among others) referenced.

22) What is the most important takeaway about what this program does and does not do?

The essential takeaway described in the notice is that this is a logistics-and-travel support mechanism (not a cash award) for artists and writers whose projects require being in Antarctica and who can create work that improves U.S. public understanding of Antarctic science and the broader experience of working there. It does not pay participants directly and does not cover typical project costs beyond the USAP logistical support it provides.