导航|地址|刷新
Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (…

Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Here's how you know

Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS.
A lock (LockLocked padlock) or https:// means you've safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Search Menu

Search
search

Find Funding

Funding Search

Award Search

NSF-wide Initiatives

Research Experiences for Undergraduates

Where to Start
For Everyone

For Early-Career Researchers

For Postdoctoral Fellows

For Graduate Students

For Undergraduates

For Industry

For Entrepreneurs

How to Apply

Preparing Your Proposal

Submitting Your Proposal

Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

Additional Resources
Research.gov

Grants.gov

How We Make Funding Decisions

Manage Your Award

Getting Started

Request a Change to Your Award

Report Your Outcomes

Proposal & Award Policies & Procedures Guide (PAPPG)

Additional Resources
Research.gov

NSF Public Access Repository

Who to Contact With Questions

Focus Areas
Major Initiatives
Artificial Intelligence

Biotechnology

Quantum

STEM Workforce

Focus Areas
Explore All Focus Areas

Arctic and Antarctic

Astronomy and Space

Biology

Chemistry

Computing

Earth and Environment

Education and Training

Engineering

Facilities and Infrastructure

Materials Research

Mathematics

People and Society

Physics

Research Partnerships

Technology

News & Events

News & Announcements

NSF Impacts

Science Matters Blog

For the Press

Upcoming Events

About
About NSF
Careers at NSF

Updates on NSF Priorities

Contact Us

Our Directorates & Offices
How NSF Is Organized

Biological Sciences (BIO)

Computer & Information Science & Engineering (CISE)

Engineering (ENG)

Geosciences (GEO)

Integrative Activities (OIA)

International Science & Engineering (OISE)

Mathematical & Physical Sciences (MPS)

Social, Behavioral & Economic Sciences (SBE)

STEM Education (EDU)

Technology, Innovation & Partnerships (TIP)

National Center for Science & Engineering Statistics (NCSES)

National Science Board (NSB)

Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL)

View image credit & caption

Home

Office of the Director (OD)

Office of Polar Programs (OD/OPP)

Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL)

Skip to content body

Office of Polar Programs (OD/OPP)

Programs and Funding Opportunities

Search Funding Opportunities

Search Previous Awards

Award Maps

Sections and Teams

Section for Arctic Sciences (ARC)

Section for Antarctic Sciences (ANT)

Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL)

Environmental Team (ENV)

Safety and Occupational Health Team (SOH)

Career Opportunities

Rotator Positions

All Job Openings

Jobs in Antarctica and the Arctic

About

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Research Infrastructure

OPP Policies, Reports and Resources

OPP Newsletter

News and Events

News

Events

U.S. Antarctic Program

The U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs Section for Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics (AIL) provides the operational and logistical platform for the U.S. to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain its active and influential presence on the continent.

AIL's work supports U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) deployers, including NSF, NASA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the U.S. Department of Energy. AIL has close working relationships with other National Antarctic Programs to share resources and lessons learned.

The AIL team works to move USAP forward in four priority areas that are explored on this page:

Modernizing infrastructure

Improving operations

Integrating planning

Fostering a positive community environment

Modernizing infrastructure

Billions of dollars in assets support USAP work across three permanent Antarctic stations, one research vessel, numerous seasonal field camps and three port/gateway locations.

NSF McMurdo Station: The largest of the U.S. year-round stations, this station is the central logistical hub for the USAP, supporting research on the continent and at NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

NSF Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station: The southernmost year-round research station in the world, this station serves as a critical center for cutting-edge scientific research and a logistical hub for access to East Antarctica.

NSF Palmer Station: The northernmost U.S. year-round research station in Antarctica, this station serves as a key center for marine and biological research in the peninsula region.

RVIB Nathaniel B. Palmer: The flagship icebreaking research vessel of USAP. The vessel’s icebreaking capacity, berthing capacity and advanced scientific capabilities are unique within NSF and the entire U.S. fleet of scientific research vessels.

If the infrastructure that enables Antarctic science is not kept robust and efficient, USAP is at risk of losing science capabilities as facilities, utilities, equipment and the vehicle fleet degrade. NSF is investing heavily in recapitalizing USAP infrastructure to ensure the health of the program for the coming decades.

Improving operations

AIL coordinates among numerous federal, military and commercial partners working together to execute a supply chain that stretches around the globe to provide USAP deployers with everything they need to live, work and conduct science in Antarctica. Military support is executed under the command of Joint Task Force – Support Forces Antarctica through Operation Deep Freeze.

Air operations partnerships include:

Ski-equipped LC-130 aircraft operated by the U.S. Air Force (New York Air National Guard 109th Airlift Wing).

C-17 Globemasters, the military's largest cargo airframe, operate out of Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington (62nd Airlift Wing).

Smaller aircraft support through the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Aviation Services.

Weather forecasting and flight operations from Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic.

Maritime support partnerships include:

Icebreaking support from the USCGC Polar Star, the U.S.’s only active heavy icebreaker.

Cargo vessel and fuel tanker support through Military Sealift Command.

Land capabilities:

Overland science traverses (established and flagged routes) that enhance efficiency and reduce costs in transporting fuel and heavy science equipment between McMurdo Station and Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station.

Cutting-edge laboratory facilities and world-class diving support to assist with science research and logistics.

Integrating planning

AIL manages the Antarctic Support Contract with Leidos, who works year-round to plan and execute work in Antarctica using clearly defined processes and timelines. Science support efforts can take years to prepare and AIL continues to work towards longer planning horizons to give the research community more information about available capabilities.

Fostering a positive community environment

USAP deployers work hard in often difficult conditions. AIL is working to increase direct engagement with the deployed community and make investments that will support high morale and make Antarctic stations a positive environment in which to work.

Top

Publication date: December 5, 2024

Last updated: June 5, 2026

Randolph Building
401 Dulany Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 292-5111

Sign up for email updates

Footer

About Us

About NSF

Careers

Our Directorates & Offices

National Science Board

Contact Us

What's New

News & Announcements

Events

Science Matters Blog

Information For

Funding Seekers

NSF Awardees

Congress

Media

Educators

Panelists

Resources

Documents & Reports

Budget, Performance & Financial Reporting

Public Access

Stopping Harassment

Research Security

Scientific Integrity

Research.gov

Required Policy Links

Vulnerability disclosure

Inspector General

Privacy

FOIA

No FEAR Act

USA.gov

Accessibility

Plain language

------
导航页打开网址