United States
Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research

US-SCAR News

The Cold is Getting Hot! – Scientific Symposium: From Arctic to Antarctic

Save the date for “The Cold is Getting Hot! – Scientific Symposium: From Arctic to Antarctic” on the 24th and 25th February 2022 – an event convened by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation with the Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) as co-conveners, in collaboration with the Oceanographic Institute, Prince Albert l of Monaco Foundation. The event will be held in person at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco and available to watch online through a live stream. Continue Reading


2022 Antarctic Science International Bursary Information Webinar

The Antarctic Science International Bursary provides annual awards for up to £6000 (~$8000) to support PhD or early career researchers to extend the scope of an existing research project. The 2022 application deadline is March 18. APECS and the journal Antarctic Science are holding two webinars on Friday, February 11 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm UTC. Continue Reading


Call for nominations: Representatives to the US-SCAR team

The Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR) is an international scientific organization that promotes and facilitates cooperation in all aspects of Antarctic research and provides science advice to the Antarctic Treaty System for Antarctic policy and environmental management decisions. The Polar Research Board of the U.S. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine is responsible for selection of U.S. representatives to SCAR - a team consisting of a Lead Delegate, Alternative Delegate, and members of the three main SCAR Science Groups (Geosciences, Physical Sciences, Life Sciences). A list of current U.S. representatives can be found on the US-SCAR website. We are seeking nominations for people to fill three spaces on this US-SCAR team - including one candidate for the Geosciences Group, and two candidates for the Physical Sciences Group. We seek candidates who have some existing understanding of SCAR’s structure and goals, have a strong commitment to SCAR’s vision for international research cooperation, are well-respected in their fields of work, and have a broad understanding of polar-region research. Continue Reading


*NEW* US Antarctic Scientists Directory

US-SCAR has created the US Antarctic Scientists Directory and you are invited to register! The intent of the Directory is to have a list of scientists who work in the US Antarctic Program (USAP). Currently the only list readily available is through the NSF Awards Database, and this listing is only of NSF principal investigators. There are many more scientists (e.g., students, post-docs, staff scientists, etc.), including those funded by other agencies, who are involved in USAP. The US Antarctic Scientists Directory will provide a means for people currently involved in USAP activities to find potential collaborators, will serve as a resource for new Antarctic proposers, will allow the general public to learn more about USAP activities and accomplishments, and provide a number of other benefits to the US Antarctic community. Continue Reading


Chat Live With Researchers Aboard an Antarctic Icebreaker

On December 16, 2021, at 07:00 PM EST, join oceanographer Oscar Schofield as he chats with researchers aboard the Research Vessel Nathaniel B. Palmer as they study the marine ecosystems of the West Antarctic Peninsula. Their research, part of the National Science Foundation’s Long-Term Ecological Research program, catalogs the effects of climate change on the environment around the Antarctic Peninsula, one of the fastest-warming regions on Earth. In this live Zoom event, learn how the Antarctic Peninsula has changed over the past several decades and how these changes affect life at every level of the food web, from tiny crustaceans to penguins, seals and whales. Pre-registration is required. Continue Reading


2022 SCAR Open Science Conference

The SCAR Open Science Conference 2022 will take place 1-10 August 2022. The conference will be held online. The theme of the conference is Antarctica in a Changing World. The SCAR Open Science Conference 2022 will will feature a comprehensive schedule of meetings, symposia, virtual side events and social activities, daily plenary lectures and poster sessions in an innovative online format. The conference includes a wide range of parallel sessions from the Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Geosciences, Humanities and Social Sciences and Cross-Disciplinary Topics. For the latest updates and information, visit the conference website at https://scar2022.org/. Continue Reading


Second Announcement: Funding Opportunity for US Early Career Scientists

Second Announcement. The US Biological Adaptations to Environmental Change in Antarctica – An Advanced Training Program for Early Career Scientists has grants available for research and travel to enhance participation in the US Antarctic Program. Funding is available to augment current research, or to offset costs to attend in person or remote meetings. Applicants can be already involved in Antarctic research or be interested in getting involved in the study of any aspect of Antarctic science (does not have to be biological). Applications are invited from (1) students currently enrolled in MS or PhD programs, (2) postdoctoral researchers, and (3) early-career faculty and research scientists. “Early career” is defined here as pre-PhD or within five years of earning a PhD. Applicants must be enrolled or employed at a US university or institution. Review of applications will start December 15, 2021. Applications submitted after December 15 will be reviewed until all available funds are fully allocated. Continue Reading


Chat live with marine biologists in Antarctica

On December 10, at 1pm EST, join marine biologist Amy Moran and her team live from McMurdo Station, Antarctica as they conduct research in the coldest ocean water on the planet! In this live Zoom event, learn how researchers dive under sea ice to collect sea creatures and discover how animals like sea spiders and sea urchins survive in the frigid waters of the Southern Ocean. Pre-registration is required. Continue Reading


Reminder - Workshop and survey: Antarctic biological collection in the U.S.

The workshop, which is scheduled from February 2-4, 2022, for both in-person participants (as well as others who would prefer access via Zoom) at the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution) in Washington D.C., will explore potential benefits and challenges of such a biological repository. Prior to the workshop, the organizers are reviewing the current state of Antarctic collections in the U.S., including both personal and museum collections. To assist in this effort, please complete a short survey by November 15, 2021, to provide the organizers information about your sample collection, and your thoughts on the need for an Antarctic biological repository. Continue Reading


Meeting of the US NAS Polar Research Board

SAVE THE DATE! Polar Research Board (PRB) Fall Meeting. The PRB Fall Meeting open sessions will take place as a series of online sessions on November 15, 19, and 30. Continue Reading


New Report - Mid-Term Assessment of Progress on the 2015 Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research

The new report from the National Academies entitled Mid-Term Assessment of Progress on the 2015 Strategic Vision for Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research is now available. Join us for a public briefing webinar on Wednesday, November 3, 2021, from 2:00-3:00 pm ET. Continue Reading


OPP Office Hours and Post-doc Fellowship Webinar

NSF Office of Polar Programs Antarctic Section Virtual Office Hours are on October 29, 2021, at 3:00 PM (eastern) via Zoom. A NSF Office of Polar Programs Postdoctoral Research Fellowship​ Program Webinar will be held on November 10, 2021, at 4:00 PM (eastern) via Zoom. Continue Reading


Reminder: US Antarctic Social Event Wednesday

Mark Your Calendar! US Antarctic Social Event, Wednesday Oct 27! 2 pm Hawaii, 4 pm Alaska, 5 pm PDT, 6 pm MDT, 7 pm CDT and 8 pm EDT. This is a strictly social gathering - no presentations, lectures or panels, just a chance for people to get together and socialize. We will be meeting on Wonder, a virtual space that allows you to "walk around" and join different conversation groups. Join any time during the hour to catch up with old friends and meet new ones! Please pass on this information - everyone is welcome. Continue Reading


Funding Opportunity for US Early Career Scientists Involved with or Interested in Antarctic Research

The US Biological Adaptations to Environmental Change in Antarctica – An Advanced Training Program for Early Career Scientists has grants available for research and travel to enhance participation in the US Antarctic Program. Funding is available to augment current research, or to offset costs to attend in person or remote meetings. Applicants can be already involved in Antarctic research or be interested in getting involved in the study of any aspect of Antarctic science (does not have to be biological). Applications are invited from (1) students currently enrolled in MS or PhD programs, (2) postdoctoral researchers, and (3) early-career faculty and research scientists. “Early career” is defined here as pre-PhD or within five years of earning a PhD. Applicants must be enrolled or employed at a US university or institution. Review of applications will start December 15, 2021. Applications submitted after December 15 will be reviewed until all available funds are fully allocated. Continue Reading


NSF Launches Outreach Effort to Help Shape the USAP Sexual Assault/Harassment Prevention and Response Program

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has established Agency-wide policies and requirements to help ensure research environments are free from sexual assault, sexual harassment, and other forms of harassment. At the same time, NSF realizes that the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) is a unique research environment, with participants from a wide variety of institutions and backgrounds. With the recognition that more work is needed to develop a robust Sexual Assault/Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) program to support the entire deployed community, regardless of affiliation, NSF is launching an extensive outreach effort consisting of an online survey and a series of focus groups to gather feedback that will guide efforts going forward. Continue Reading


Biological Repository for Antarctic Samples - Survey and Workshop

We would like to announce an upcoming NSF-funded workshop with the goals of assessing the current state of biological collections from Antarctica held in the United States, and identifying the value of and need for a repository for Antarctic organisms. In addition to these objectives, workshop participants will explore potential benefits and challenges of such a biological repository, including discussions related to collection organization, accessibility, infrastructure, and the feasibility of a self-sustaining repository(ies), in order to expand our understanding of Antarctic biology and its diverse ecosystems. The workshop is currently scheduled for February 2-4, 2022 for both in-person participants (as well as others who would prefer access via Zoom) at the National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian Institution). In preparation for the workshop, we are assessing the current state of Antarctic collections in the U.S., including both personal and museum collections. To do so, we need your help. Please complete this survey by November 15, 2021 to provide us with information about your sample collection, and your thoughts on the need for an Antarctic biological repository. We invite those interested in attending the workshop to apply for travel support of up to $1200. Applications are due November 15, 2021 and award announcements will be made December 15, 2021. Continue Reading


NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) seeking reviewers

The National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP) is seeking reviewers for geosciences applications (includesPolar Programs). Serving as a GRFP Reviewer is an excellent opportunity to apply your research and career expertise to help identify future science and engineering leaders, and to gain valuable perspective to share with faculty and students at your institution. Reviewers are only asked to review in their subfield of expertise within a major field of study. Applications from students are due in mid-October. Continue Reading


NSF Introduction to Polar Cyberinfrastructure Webinar

October 21, 2021 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM EDT The term “Polar Cyberinfrastructure” can feel like esoteric jargon, maybe be a bit of a mouthful, and can mean a lot of different things to the research community. In addition to the big facilities and fancy supercomputers, Polar CI aims to serve the full breadth of NSF-funded Polar researchers. In this webinar, the NSF Polar Cyberinfrastructure Program Officer, Allen Pope, will explain what Polar CI means at NSF and introduce the core program as well as related opportunities within NSF at the intersection of polar science and computing. The webinar will also share highlights from some NSF-funded polar cyberinfrastructure projects and will finish with ample time for audience Q&A. Continue Reading


US Antarctic Social Event

US Antarctic Social Event, Wednesday Oct 27! 2 pm Hawaii, 4 pm Alaska, 5 pm PDT, 6 pm MDT, 7 pm CDT and 8 pm EDT. This is a strictly social gathering - no presentations, lectures or panels, just a chance for people to get together and socialize. We will be meeting on Wonder, a virtual space that allows you to "walk around" and join different conversation groups. Join any time during the hour to catch up with old friends and meet new ones! Please pass on this information - everyone is welcome. Continue Reading


US Antarctic Interview Series - #1 Berry Lyons and Melisa Diaz

US-SCAR is happy to announce the first installment of our US Antarctic Interview Series. This new feature of our website provides the opportunity for us to highlight a pair of people involved in the US Antarctic Program - someone with an established career along with an early career collaborator. Our first two interviews are with Berry Lyons, a professor at The Ohio State University, and Melisa Diaz, a postdoctoral scholar at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Continue Reading