Welcome

Welcome to the Polar Research Board (PRB). The PRB is a unit of The National Academies, which is comprised of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, the Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council. The PRB provides independent analysis to the federal government and the nation on matters of science and technology research needs, environmental quality, natural resources, and other issues in the Arctic, the Antarctic, and cold regions in general.



A Celebration of International Polar Year

Monday, April 6, 2009
2:30-5:30 pm
The National Academy of Sciences Building

Watch videos from the celebration

Download the agenda (pdf)





Message from SCAR's Executive Officer

Dear Colleagues,

SCAR is announcing the launch of its 2009-10 Fellowship Programme, which this year is in two parts:

(i) the Standard SCAR Fellowship - for postgraduate and/or post- doctoral researchers from within the 35 SCAR Member countries to undertake research at an institute in another SCAR country.

(ii) SCAR/IPF/IAI/UNEP Sixth Continent Initiative Fellowships - for postgraduate and/or post-doctoral researchers from within the 35 SCAR Member countries, or from non-traditional polar countries, to undertake research and development activities in the Antarctic.

The SCAR Fellowship Programme is designed to encourage the active involvement of early career scientists and engineers in Antarctic scientific research, and to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in Antarctic research.

Please could you encourage candidates to apply to this scheme, which has proven very successful to date. Note that the deadline for submissions is the 15th of May.

News Item
Further details

Regards,
Mike Sparrow (SCAR Executive Officer)



Report Available: Exploration of Antarctic Subglacial Aquatic Environments: Environmental and Scientific Stewardship.

At the request of the National Science Foundation, this report assesses what is needed to responsibly explore subglacial lakes. The report concludes that it is time for research on subglacial lakes to begin, and this research should be guided by internationally agreed upon protocols. The report suggests an initial protocol, which includes full characterization of the lakes by remote sensing, and minimum standards for biological and other types of contamination.
Read Online/Purchase
Download Report Brief

Contact Information:
Polar Research Board
The National Academies
500 5th Street, NW, Keck-603
Washington, DC 20001
Telephone: (202) 334-3479
Fax: (202) 334-3825

Please direct inquiries to the Director, Chris Elfring.

The National Academies Building is located one block west of the Judiciary Square Metro Station and two blocks east of the Gallery Place/Chinatown Metro Station. For detailed directions, click here.