About the Antarctic Sciences Section
Section Head: Alexandra Isern
Scientific research and the operational support of that research are the principal activities supported by the United States Government in Antarctica. The goals are
- to expand fundamental knowledge of the region,
- to foster research on global and regional problems of current scientific importance, and
- to use the region as a platform from which to support research.
For projects involving fieldwork, the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports only that research that can be done exclusively in Antarctica or that can be done best from Antarctica. The program also supports analytical research performed at home organizations.
The program has been in continuous operation since the 1957-1958 International Geophysical Year. U.S. activities in Antarctica support the Nation's adherence to the Antarctic Treaty, which reserves the region for peaceful purposes and encourages international cooperation in scientific research. At present, 50 nations adhere to the treaty, and 28 of them are involved in antarctic field activities. The United States cooperates scientifically and operationally with many of the Antarctic Treaty nations.
The National Science Foundation funds and manages the U.S. Antarctic Program, which supports research in aeronomy and astrophysics, biology and medicine, geology and geophysics, glaciology, and ocean and climate systems. Outreach, such as the Antarctic Artists and Writers program, and education programs are also supported.
RELATED LINKS
(Related external links are available on Polar Programs Polar Links page.)
Antarctic Science Programs
- Antarctic Astrophysics and Geospace Sciences
- Antarctic Organisms and Ecosystems
- Antarctic Earth Sciences
- Antarctic Glaciology
- Antarctic Integrated System Science
- Antarctic Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences
- USAP Proposal Preparation Reference Information
- USAP Information for Proposers (USAP.gov)
- U.S. Antarctic Program (NSF Fact Sheet)
Polar Programs Information
- Polar Programs Advisory Committee home page, 1998-2012
- Polar Programs Advisory Committee Report on Broader Impacts Review Criterion
- Polar Programs-supported Workshops
U.S. Antarctic Program
- About the U.S. Antarctic Program
- Frequently asked questions about the U.S. Antarctic Program
- U.S. Antarctic Environmental Protection
- U.S. Antarctic Policy
- U.S. Annual Antarctic Treaty Exchange of Information
Related Polar Programs Antarctic Links
- Antarctic Artists and Writers Program
- Polar Programs Guidelines and Award Conditions for Scientific Data
- Antarctic program information for new investigators
Antarctic Information Links
- Antarctic Sun
- USAP Online Photo Library
- U.S. International Polar Year Committee
- Antarctic Journal of the United States
- Cold Regions Bibliography project
- PolarTrec: Teachers and Researchers Exploring and Collaborating
- Antarctic Images (program information slides)
International Polar Year (IPY) Information (Archival Material)
- Interagency International Pole Year Web Site
- U.S. International Polar Year Committee (National Academy of Sciences)
- International IPY Program Web Site
- NSF IPY Information
- NSF IPY Budget Information
 |
At the McMurdo Station aquarium, Raytheon Polar Services employee Craig Mazur admires a large antarctic cod. The antarctic cod (Dissostichus mawsoni) are studied for their physiology, which includes antifreeze proteins, an adaptation found in a number of polar and subpolar species. (NSF/USAP photo by Melanie Connor, Raytheon Polar Services Corp.) |
| Office of Polar Programs SITE MAP! |