S. 5165: Promoting Operational Leadership in Arctic and Antarctic Research Act

This bill would create a new Directorate for Polar Programs within the National Science Foundation (NSF) to organize and expand federal support for research, education, workforce development, infrastructure, and logistics in the Arctic and Antarctica.

What it sets up

The bill would formally establish this new NSF directorate and require the NSF to appoint an Assistant Director to manage it. That person would oversee polar-related programs, coordinate with other federal agencies, approve new programs in the directorate, and report regularly to the NSF Board.

What the directorate would do

The new office would support scientific research and related activities in the polar regions, including:

• studying Arctic and Antarctic systems and how they affect global systems;
• supporting education and training for people who work in polar science and operations;
• improving access to the polar regions for research;
• coordinating logistics with federal, military, and commercial partners;
• supporting research stations, field camps, vessels, and other infrastructure;
• supporting safety, health, and medical systems for polar operations;
• working with local and Indigenous peoples in Arctic research and outreach;
• coordinating with partner countries on polar research.

Priority areas

The bill would require the NSF to identify and update priority areas for funding each year. The initial priorities would focus on:

• Arctic research and infrastructure, with Alaska described as the main U.S. hub for Arctic research, logistics, operations, and workforce development;
• Antarctic research and infrastructure to support U.S. interests under the Antarctic Treaty;
• research that supports U.S. navigation and strategic use of the Arctic;
• research that supports the United States’ role in Antarctica.

Funding and awards

The directorate would be able to use grants, cooperative agreements, fellowships, scholarships, and infrastructure awards to carry out its work. Possible recipients would include universities, research institutions, nonprofits, private companies, Indian Tribes, consortia, and other entities the NSF thinks are appropriate. The bill would also allow the NSF to set performance goals and deadlines for awards and to use those measures when deciding whether to continue funding.

Oversight and reporting

The bill would require:

• an advisory committee of at least 10 members with relevant experience, including educators, researchers, industry and national lab representatives, Tribal members, and nonprofit or civil society representatives;
• an annual report to Congress describing the directorate’s focus areas, future investment needs, and the NSF’s role in polar regions;
• separate budget line items in the NSF’s annual budget request for Arctic research, Arctic infrastructure, Arctic research priorities, Antarctica research, and Antarctica infrastructure.

Relevant Companies

None found