The International Polar Year, which extended from March 2007 through March 2009, was envisioned as an intense scientific campaign to explore new frontiers in polar science, improve our understanding of the critical role of the polar regions in global processes, and educate students, teachers, and the public about the polar regions and their importance to the global system. Projects had multi- and interdisciplinary scopes, left a legacy of infrastructure and data, expanded international cooperation, engaged the public in polar discovery, and helped attract the next generation of scientists and engineers.

The President's Office of Science and Technology Policy designated the National Science Foundation (NSF) as the lead Federal agency in organizing U.S.-IPY activities. In 2005 the U.S. National Committee for IPY, formed under the auspices of the National Academy of Sciences, published International Polar Year 2007-2008: Report of the Implementation Workshop, which articulates a framework for the science ideas submitted by many individuals and research communities in the United States for the next IPY. A joint committee of the International Council for Science (ICSU) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) published additional planning information and facilitated international cooperation through an international program office in Cambridge, United Kingdom.

This page and the associated pages provide background information on NSF-funded research, funding opportunities, and other related information. Information on the activities of other Federal agencies and for the public is available through the U.S. Interagency International Polar Year site.

IPY REPORTS

• Planning (Pre-IPY)
  • The International Polar Years 2007-2009: Report on U.S. Federal Agencies’ Planning
  • A Vision for the International Polar Year, 2007-2008, U.S. National Committee for the International Polar Year, Polar Research Board, National Academy of Sciences
    
    
• Follow-up (Post-IPY)
  • Lessons and Legacies of the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (2012); Committee on the Legacies and Lessons of International Polar Year 2007-2008, Polar Research Board, National Academy of Sciences; Summary page
  • Webinar: Lessons and Legacies of International Polar Year 2007-2008, Julie Brigham-Grette and Robert Bindschadler, authoring committee co-chairs (1 hour 9 minutes)

NSF IPY AWARDS

• Final List of NSF International Polar Year Awards (February 2011)

NSF IPY Information

• Select Press Releases and Fact Sheets
(More NSF polar-related press releases are available at https://www.nsf.gov/news/index.jsp?org=OPP&news_type=0&ord=rcnt or in the News and Events Section of the archived IPY.gov web site at https://www.nsf.gov/news/ipy/Default3615.html?tabid=57)


• International Polar Year Funds Research and Exploration by Teachers, Students and the Public (Press Release 06-132), September 20, 2006
• On the Verge of the International Polar Year, NSF Commemorates the 50th Anniversary of First Flight To Land at the South Pole (Press Release 06-158), October 31, 2006
• Multinational Scientific Expedition Kicks Off International Polar Year 2007-2008 (Press Release 06-176), December 19, 2006
• NSF and the International Polar Year 2007-2008 (Fact Sheet), February 5, 2007
• United States Launches New International Polar Year (Press Release 07-017), February 28, 2007
• Arctic and Antarctic-themed Activities to Bring a Breath of Polar Air to Baltimore (Press Release 09-043), March 16, 2009
  
  
• Web Casts and Video
  • U.S. Launches International Polar Year on Feb. 26 (Media Advisory 07-006), February 27, 2007
  • Remarks at The Joint Session of the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting and the Arctic Council, 50th Anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty; Hilary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, April 6, 2009 (Video)
  • Video Available: A Celebration of the International Polar Year (Press Release 09-083), April 23, 2009
    
    
• Related Material
  • NSF IPY posters available
    

budget

• Fiscal Year 2008 NSF Budget Request
• NSF International Polar Year (IPY) Fiscal Year 2008 budget summary
• NSF IPY Fiscal Year 2008 budget table
  
  
• Fiscal Year 2007 NSF Budget Request
  
  • NSF International Polar Year (IPY) Fiscal Year 2007 budget summary
  • NSF IPY Fiscal Year 2007 budget table

FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

• International Polar Year solicitation, 2007 (NSF 07-536)
• Dear Colleague Letter for the International Polar Year (NSF 07-008)
• International Polar Year solicitation, 2006 (NSF 06-534)
  

NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL WEB SITES (ARCHIVAL SITES)

• U.S. Interagency International Polar Year web site
• U.S. Committee to the International Polar Year, 2007-2008 (U.S. National Committee site, maintained by the Polar Research Board of the National Academy of Science)
• International Scientific Council (ICSU) International Polar Year Planning Committee (International IPY Programme Office, established by the ICSU-WMO Joint Committee on the International Polar Year)