McMurdo Dry Valleys,
southern Victoria Land.

Opportunities Overview
Excluded Opportunities
Equal Opportunity
Apply with USAP Agencies
Opportunities with the U.S. Federal Government

Inside an ice cave.

Managed by the National Science Foundation, the USAP deploys roughly 3,000 people to Antarctica every year to conduct scientific research, or provide support to researchers through the operation and maintenance of the research stations and vessels. Inquiring about opportunities depends on your area of interest; however, the majority of employees are hired as support personnel through Raytheon Polar Services.

Send queries to the corresponding USAP agency (listed below).

Ice Runway near
McMurdo Station,
Antarctica.

The USAP does not approve the following activities for participation in the program because they are not considered a contribution to the United States' mission for Antarctica:

• Private expeditions by mountain climbers or adventurers
• Visits to promote commercial products
• Photography (except as in the Artists and Writers Program , or media visits )
• "Space-available" passage on support aircraft flights
• Sightseeing or other superficial visits

Although the government does not provide support to private expeditions, citizens are not discouraged from organizing and taking part in such expeditions if they are self-sufficient and meet environmental standards.

An ice cave near Palmer
Station, Anvers Island,
Antarctica.

The major USAP participants are equal opportunity employers.  Women and members of minority groups are encouraged to apply for participation in all aspects of the USAP.  A number of NSF programs specifically encourage such participation and are described in the Foundation's Guide to Programs/Browse Funding Opportunities web page.

If you would like to apply for participation in the USAP, contact one of the below USAP agencies depending upon your area of interest:

• The National Science Foundation (NSF)
• NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP)
• Researchers
• Artists and Writers Program
• Media
• Support Personnel (through Raytheon Polar Services Company)
• Petroleum Helicopters, Inc.
• Kenn Borek Air Ltd.

For information on federal jobs and employment, go to USAJOBS —the official job site of the United States Federal Government.