Arctic Sea Ice Restoration Research Fund

Arctic Sea Ice Restoration Research Fund

Status: Active - most recent funding awarded February 12, 2026

Overview: Ocean Visions' fund created to identify, prioritize, and support research on cutting-edge ideas to slow the loss of Arctic sea ice and reduce escalating climate risk.

Geographic Scope: Arctic region, with global implications

Focus Areas: Research on novel approaches to protect and restore Arctic summer sea ice

Current Research Priorities (2026 cohort):

Cloud-based approaches (4 funded projects):
• Mixed phase cloud thinning (enhancing release of trapped heat)
• Marine cloud brightening (increasing reflection of solar energy back to space)
• Different methods to explore how clouds and their heat-trapping/heat-reflecting properties influence sea ice

Sea ice retention approaches (2 funded projects):

Reducing or blocking sea ice export through Nares or Fram Straits

Research methodology: Projects use historical or model data; do NOT include fieldwork or collection of new observations

Scientific Justification:

Arctic summer sea ice is critical to global climate regulation and regional climate stability

Projected to disappear by 2050

Current declines have accelerated regional warming in the Arctic

Arctic warming increases melt of Greenland Ice Sheet and thaw of Arctic permafrost

These changes contribute to sea level rise and greenhouse gas release, disrupting Arctic ecosystems, ocean circulation, global weather patterns, and societal systems

Most projections show emissions reductions and carbon removal alone unlikely to prevent complete disappearance of summer sea ice in time

What They Support:

Research grounded in Ocean Visions' Arctic Sea Ice Road Maps (which assess 21 potential approaches)

Prioritizes scientific merit, interdisciplinary approaches, and careful risk assessment

Foundation for future work to advance knowledge on ecological, social, and ethical dimensions

Development of guidance on safeguards and stage gates for future research

Selection Process: Competitive process including review by independent international expert panel; final award decisions made by Ocean Visions

Key Partners: UK's Advanced Research and Invention Agency (which also funds sea ice restoration research)

Contact: info@oceanvisions.org