About – Polar Geospatial Center

About the PGC

Founded in 2007, the Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) solves geospatial problems at both poles by working with researchers on mapping and remote sensing projects in the most remote locations on Earth.

Leadership

Jay Dickson, Director

University Sponsorship

Funding

National Science Foundation (NSF)
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
More award information below

Mission

The Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) is a polar science and logistics support organization at the University of Minnesota with core funding provided by the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP).

PGC provides three primary services:

Domain and institutional knowledge to solve a broad range of polar geospatial problems
Access to sub-meter commercial satellite imagery for the Antarctic and Arctic, and the expertise to task, manage, process, and deliver high-level, value-added products
Educational courses and online material to transfer PGC’s knowledge and experience to the community

History

PGC's milestones from founding to present day.

February 2007	NSF Antarctic Geospatial Information Center (AGIC) founded.
2008	First year of on-ice support at McMurdo Station, Antarctica.
2009	First commercial imagery data acquired from the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA).
2010	NSF Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) funded to provide science and logistics support to both the Antarctic and Arctic.
July 2014	PGC hosts first Summer Polar Boot Camp.
2015	PGC receives six-month supplemental funding to launch Arctic Digital Elevation Model (ArcticDEM) project. President Obama announces initiative during visit to Alaska.
May 2016	NSF PGC cooperative agreement renewed for five years, extending through 2021. ArcticDEM project funding included in Cooperative Agreement.

Funding

The Polar Geospatial Center has been awarded the following funding opportunities:

National Science Foundation Awards

The Polar Geospatial Center (PGC): Community and Facility Support
NSF Award #2129685
Funding Division: Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Active: September 1, 2021, to August 31, 2024
View Award

The Polar Geospatial Center (PGC): Community and Facility Support
NSF Award #1559691
Funding Division: Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Active: May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2022
View Award

ArcticDEM Production
NSF Award #1614673
Funding Division: Division of Advanced Cyberinfrastructure (ACI)
Active: May 18, 2016 to April 30, 2019
View Award

Workshop to Explore Extended Access to the Polar Geospatial Center (PGC) by Earth-Science Investigators
NSF Award #1645384
Funding Division: Division of Earth Sciences (EAR)
Active: September 1, 2016 to August 31, 2018
View Award

The Polar Geospatial Center (PGC): Joint Support
NSF Award #1043681
Funding Division: Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Active: February 15, 2011 to January 31, 2017
View Award

The Antarctic Geospatial Information Center (AGIC): Collecting, Creating, Delivering and Archiving for the Community
NSF Award #0753663
Funding Division: Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
Active: December 15, 2007 to November 30, 2011
View Award

NASA Awards

Polar Geospatial Center Support for Commercial Satellite Imagery Applications at NASA GSFC
NASA GSFC Grant #80NSSC21K1510
Active: July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022

PGC: Commercial Imagery Support for the Cryosphere
NASA HQ Grant #NNX16AK90G
Active: May 31, 2016, to May 30, 2021

Polar Geospatial Center Support for NASA ABoVE
NASA GSFC Grant #NNX15AD17A
Active: December 9, 2014 to December 8, 2018
View Award