NSF PA/M 02-16 - March 11, 2002
NSF Invites Media to Report on Arctic Research
Cruise to Study Early Indicators of Climate Change
The National Science Foundation (NSF), through its
Office of Polar Programs, is accepting written requests
from professional journalists to join a research cruise
in Alaskan waters as part of the Western Arctic Shelf-Basin
Interactions project (SBI), which looks at possible
indicators of climate change in the Chukchi and Beaufort
Seas.
Application Deadline: April 15, 2002
SBI is a part of the Ocean-Atmosphere-Ice Interactions
component of the NSF's Arctic System Science program.
The Office of Naval Research jointly sponsors the
research. SBI's goal is to improve scientists' abilities
to assess the impacts of global change on the physical
and biogeochemical connections among the Western Arctic
Ocean's shelves, slopes and basins. An accumulated
body of research indicates that climate change will
significantly affect the physical and biological links
between the relatively shallow Arctic shelves and
adjacent ocean basins.
For more information about SBI, see http://utk-biogw.bio.utk.edu/SBI.nsf
The journalists selected will go to sea for about one
week of the cruise aboard a U.S. Coast Guard icebreaking
research vessel. The ship is scheduled to depart from
Nome, Alaska on July 17 and return to Nome on August
26.
U.S. media receive preference in selection.
Application: Applicants must submit no more
than two typed pages -- no e-mails, please -- detailing
specifically why they wish to cover this cruise.
A selection committee of Arctic program science and
logistics personnel and media officers from NSF's
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) will
review all proposals and select the finalists. The
committee looks for proposals that indicate an understanding
of the nature and challenges of NSF's scientific enterprise
in the Arctic and the desire to communicate that understanding
to the public.
Proposals from print, television, and radio journalists,
as well as from on-line news operations, are welcome.
U.S. mass media that serve primarily language-minority
audiences are also encouraged to apply.
Costs: Reporters or their employers pay for
round-trip transportation to -- and accommodations
in -- Barrow, Alaska. Reporters must visit NSF headquarters
in Arlington, Va., at their own expense, for pre-trip
planning. NSF furnishes cold-weather clothing solely
for use in the field, as well as housing, transportation
and food while on the cruise, at no cost to the reporters.
How To Apply: Contact NSF (by phone or by e-mail)
as soon as possible to express interest and to obtain
background materials. Freelancers must supply evidence
of a firm commitment to publish or air their work
on their prospective employer's letterhead.
Send the letter and any supporting materials (such
as a limited number of clips or videotaped segments)
to:
National Science Foundation,
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1245
Arlington, VA 22230
Attn: Peter West
For more information contact:
Peter West (703) 292-8070/pwest@nsf.gov
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