Establishment

There is established within the Foundation the Directorate for Polar Programs (referred to in this Act as the Directorate) to advance polar research and development, education, workforce development, and research infrastructure to— (1) expand fundamental knowledge of polar systems and processes; (2) advance innovative solutions relating to the polar regions; (3) improve understanding of the interactions between the polar regions and global systems; and (4) use the unique characteristics of the polar regions as a science-observing platform.