usap

USAP stands for the United States Antarctic Program, the U.S. government’s program for conducting scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. It is administered by the National Science Foundation’s Office of Polar Programs (OPP) and coordinates logistics, funding, and safety oversight for U.S. scientists operating on the continent and in surrounding waters. The program supports the United States’ obligations under the Antarctic Treaty System and facilitates international collaboration in polar research.

History and scope: U.S. scientific activity in Antarctica began in the late 1950s during the International Geophysical Year. The NSF assumed leadership of U.S. polar research operations in 1959 and has since maintained permanent stations and field programs. The program operates several year-round and seasonal facilities, including McMurdo Station on Ross Island, the Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, and Palmer Station on Anvers Island, along with research vessels and logistics networks to support field campaigns.

Operations: USAP provides transportation (air and sea), scientific infrastructure, and logistical services. It funds and coordinates research across disciplines such as climate science, glaciology, biology, geology, meteorology, oceanography, and astronomy. It also emphasizes safety, environmental stewardship, and compliance with the Antarctic Treaty, including environmental assessments, waste management, and rapid response to emergencies.

Impact and collaboration: The program supports a broad U.S. scientific community and collaborates with international partners. Data from USAP-supported research contributes to understanding climate change, Antarctic ecosystems, and earth systems. The program also supports education and public outreach through scientists’ fieldwork and open data sharing programs.