National Security Memorandum on United States Policy on the Antarctic Region
May 17, 2024
Today, President Biden signed a National Security Memorandum (NSM) on United States Policy on the Antarctic Region, just ahead of the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting. This policy reaffirms the United States' commitment to leading cooperative international efforts through the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS) to ensure the Antarctic Region remains dedicated to peaceful purposes. It also emphasizes the importance of protecting Antarctica's pristine environment and ecosystems, recognizing its critical role in the global climate system, and supporting ongoing scientific research.
The U.S. Antarctic Program, managed on behalf of the nation by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), supports three year-round stations on the continent and assets dedicated to exploring and understanding the Southern Ocean. In partnership with other Federal science agencies, NSF supports world-class research in Antarctica in aeronomy and astrophysics, ecology, atmospheric sciences, biology and medicine, geology and geophysics, glaciology, and ocean and climate systems, and living marine resources.
Read the full memorandum on the White House website and access the fact sheet.
The U.S. National Science Foundation propels the nation forward by advancing fundamental research in all fields of science and engineering. NSF supports research and people by providing facilities, instruments and funding to support their ingenuity and sustain the U.S. as a global leader in research and innovation. With a fiscal year 2023 budget of $9.5 billion, NSF funds reach all 50 states through grants to nearly 2,000 colleges, universities and institutions. Each year, NSF receives more than 40,000 competitive proposals and makes about 11,000 new awards. Those awards include support for cooperative research with industry, Arctic and Antarctic research and operations, and U.S. participation in international scientific efforts.
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