The Antarctic Sciences Section (ANT) of the Office of Polar Programs (OPP) supports cutting-edge research that (1) expands fundamental knowledge of the Antarctic and the natural laboratory it represents across a range of disciplines, (2) improves understanding of interactions between the Antarctic and
Southern Ocean region and Earth system, and (3) utilizes the unique characteristics of the Antarctic continent as an observing platform.
The U. S. Antarctic Program (USAP) supports scientific research in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean with logistics provided by OPPs Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics Section (AIL).
Antarctic fieldwork is supported only for research that must be performed, or is best performed, in Antarctica.
ANT encourages research, using existing samples, data, and models, that does not require fieldwork.
ANT also encourages research that crosses and combines, disciplinary perspectives and approaches.