Federal Grant Award Summary

The National Science Foundation (NSF) Division of Ocean Sciences awarded $400,926 to the University of Alaska Fairbanks on July 15, 2026, under the Geosciences program (CFDA 47.050) to enhance oceanographic instrumentation supporting scientific operations aboard the Research Vessel (R/V) Sikuliaq, a shared-use research vessel operated as part of the U.S. Academic Research Fleet. The project delivers multiple instrumentation upgrades and capabilities, including acquisition of sound velocity sensing equipment, acoustic support system components, fluorometric sensing instrumentation, software modernization, restoration of acoustic observational capabilities, engineering evaluation of bubble sweep effects impacting acoustic systems, and limited unmanned aerial system (UAS) capability for scientific and operational activities in ice-covered environments. These investments address equipment obsolescence and reduce operational risks associated with aging systems, thereby improving the reliability and availability of critical oceanographic observation capabilities.

The deliverables support high-quality observations needed to study ocean circulation, marine ecosystems, seafloor processes, sea ice dynamics, and other ocean systems in high-latitude Arctic environments. By maintaining and modernizing shared research infrastructure aboard academic fleet vessels, the project sustains the technical infrastructure necessary to support a broad range of oceanographic research activities and ensures continued access to high-quality acoustic, environmental, and seafloor observation data for the research community. The award includes no planned sub-awards and has a completion date of June 30, 2027.