Notice2025-15045
Request for Public Comment: National Plan for Arctic Research
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
August 8, 2025
Issuing agencies
National Science Foundation
Abstract
On July 21, 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF) published in the Federal Register a document entitled "Request for Public Comment: National Plan for Arctic Research." In response to requests by prospective commenters that they would benefit from additional time to adequately consider and respond to the RFI, NSF has determined that an extension of the comment period until Saturday, November 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (eastern), is appropriate.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 90 Issue 151 (Friday, August 8, 2025)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 90, Number 151 (Friday, August 8, 2025)]
[Notices]
[Pages 38511-38512]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2025-15045]
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NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION
Request for Public Comment: National Plan for Arctic Research
AGENCY: National Science Foundation.
ACTION: Request for public comment; extension of comment period.
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SUMMARY: On July 21, 2025, the National Science Foundation (NSF)
published in the Federal Register a document entitled ``Request for
Public Comment: National Plan for Arctic Research.'' In response to
requests by prospective commenters that they would benefit from
additional time to adequately consider and respond to the RFI, NSF has
determined that an extension of the comment period until Saturday,
November 15, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. (eastern), is appropriate.
DATES: The end of the comment period for the document entitled
``Request for Information'' published on July 21, 2025 (90 FR 34302),
is extended from October 15, 2025, until November 15, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Interested individuals and organizations should submit
comments electronically via email to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#400901121003102c212e002e33266e272f36"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="256c647775667549444b654b56430b424a53">[email protected]</span></a>. Send written
submissions to Roberto Delgado, Office of Polar Programs, National
Science Foundation, 2415 Eisenhower Avenue, Alexandria, VA 22314.
Alternatively, you may submit your comments, identified by Docket ID
No. NSF-2025-OGC-0002, at <a href="https://www.regulations.gov">https://www.regulations.gov</a>. For comments
submitted at <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>, follow the online instructions for
submitting comments. Once submitted, comments cannot be edited or
removed from <a href="http://Regulations.gov">Regulations.gov</a>.
Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Please note that
all submissions received in response to this notice may be publicly
posted or otherwise released in their entirety. Do not include in your
submissions any copyrighted material; information of a confidential
nature, such as personal or proprietary information; or any information
you would not like to be made publicly available. NSF will not respond
to individual submissions. A response to this RFI will not be viewed as
a binding commitment to develop or pursue the project or ideas
discussed. This RFI is not accepting applications for financial
assistance or financial incentives. Responses containing references,
studies, research, and other empirical data that are not widely
published should include copies of or electronic links to the
referenced materials. Responses from minors, or responses containing
profanity, vulgarity, threats, or other inappropriate language or
content will not be considered. Comments submitted in response to this
notice are subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Please
note that the United States Government will not pay for response
preparation, or for the use of any information contained in a response.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Please contact the IARPC Executive
Secretary, Dr. Lesley Anderson, at 571-565-6963, or by email at
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#7d11181c1319180f0e3d1c0e0e121e141c09180e53130e1b531a120b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="7d11181c1319180f0e3d1c0e0e121e141c09180e53130e1b531a120b">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984
(ARPA), 15 U.S.C. Chapter 67, provides for a comprehensive national
policy to identify and address national research needs and objectives
in the Arctic. The ARPA established an Arctic Research Commission
(USARC), designated the National Science Foundation as the lead
[[Page 38512]]
agency responsible for implementing Arctic research policy, and
established an Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC).
The ARPA legislation charges the IARPC, in cooperation with the USARC,
to develop and establish an integrated national Arctic research policy
that will guide Federal agencies in implementing their research
programs in the Arctic.
About the Arctic Research Plan
IARPC is required by law to prepare and execute a 5-year Arctic
Research Plan, which helps to coordinate the overall Federal effort in
Arctic research. To date, three five-year Arctic Research Plans have
been released and implemented, the most recent covering 2022-2026, and
the current Implementation Plan for 2025-2026 is available at <a href="https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/2025-2026_implementation_plan_high_res.pdf">https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/2025-2026_implementation_plan_high_res.pdf</a>. As required by the ARPA
legislation, IARPC works in partnership with USARC, as well as with
representatives from Arctic communities, federally recognized Tribal
groups, the State of Alaska, the private sector, non-governmental
organizations, research institutions, and the academic community.
Accordingly, the current Plan is being implemented by nine
collaboration teams and eleven communities of practice which are co-led
by Federal agency staff and non-Federal individuals with subject matter
expertise.
These Arctic Research Plans reflect the goals and missions of the
Federal agencies supporting research in the Arctic and focus on
research which will be enhanced through collaboration among Federal
agencies, as opposed to agencies working alone. The updated Arctic
Research Plan will guide Federal coordination of Arctic research for
the period 2027-2031, positioning the United States to remain a global
leader in Arctic research and stewardship for many years to come.
Seeking Public Input
As called for in the ARPA, IARPC seeks input from any interested
individuals and organizations to ensure that the research interests and
needs of all are addressed appropriately in the updated Plan. IARPC is
committed to an open engagement process throughout the development of
the Plan.
In particular, IARPC is interested in feedback in response to the
following questions regarding what updates should be made to the Arctic
Research Plan 2027-2031:
1. What are the critical issues and needs where federally funded
science, engineering, and technology research should provide knowledge
to promote sound decision-making at all levels related to the Arctic?
2. What are examples of research questions that address these
issues?
Background
For context, the current Plan ``Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026''
has four policy drivers, four priority areas, and five foundational
activities.
The policy drivers for the Arctic Research Plan FY2022-2026 are:
<bullet> Enhance the well-being of Arctic residents;
<bullet> Advance stewardship of the Arctic environment;
<bullet> Strengthen national and regional security; and
<bullet> Improve understanding of the Arctic as a component of planet
Earth
The priority areas for the Arctic Research Plan FY2022-2026 are:
<bullet> Community Resilience and Health
<bullet> Sustainable Economies and Livelihoods
<bullet> Risk Management and Hazard Mitigation
<bullet> Arctic System Interactions
The foundational activities for the current Arctic Research Plan,
which are meant to undergird the priority areas, are:
<bullet> Data management
<bullet> Education and Training
<bullet> Monitoring, Observation, Modeling and Prediction
<bullet> Technology Innovation and Application
<bullet> Tribal Consultation and Effective Processes
For the full Arctic Research Plan 2022-2026, see: <a href="https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/final-arp-2022-2026-20211214.pdf">https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/final-arp-2022-2026-20211214.pdf</a>.
For the full Arctic Research Plan 2017-2021, see: <a href="https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/download.axd?file=iarpc_arctic_research_plan_2017-2021.pdf">https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/download.axd?file=iarpc_arctic_research_plan_2017-2021.pdf</a>.
For the full Arctic Research Plan 2013-2017, see: <a href="https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/arctic_research_2013.pdf">https://www.iarpccollaborations.org/uploads/cms/documents/arctic_research_2013.pdf</a>.
(Authority: 42 U.S.C. 1861.)
Dated: August 5, 2025.
Suzanne H. Plimpton,
Reports Clearance Officer, National Science Foundation.
[FR Doc. 2025-15045 Filed 8-7-25; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 7555-01-P
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