Activities

Subject to the availability of appropriated funds, the Director, acting through the Directorate, shall achieve the purposes described in section 4 through the use of awards or authorities described in section 9 that— (1) support creative and innovative polar research and development, education, and workforce development in the Arctic, including incorporating indigenous knowledge and co-production of knowledge with Indian Tribes, to— (A) gain a better understanding of the Arctic’s biological, geophysical, chemical, and sociocultural processes and the interactions of ocean, land, atmosphere, biological, and human systems; and (B) build capacity in the United States workforce for polar research and development; (2) (A) support infrastructure in the Arctic through coordination of logistics and facilities, including at field locations throughout the Arctic (including at least 1 location in Alaska) and an appropriate number of vessels capable of supporting and conducting Arctic research; (B) promote the development and sustainment of infrastructure, long-term observational systems, and research capabilities in the Arctic to advance polar research and development, education, environmental prediction, national strategic interests, and workforce development in the Arctic; and (C) support long-term Arctic observing, monitoring, and data collection systems, including atmospheric, oceanic, terrestrial, cryospheric, and permafrost observing networks, necessary to improve forecasting, infrastructure resilience, navigation safety, national security awareness, and the understanding of Earth system processes; (3) advance cutting-edge polar research and development, education, and workforce development that— (A) improves understanding of interactions among the polar regions and global systems; (B) expands fundamental knowledge of the systems, biota, and processes of the polar regions; (C) utilizes the unique characteristics of the polar regions as a science-observing platform; (D) builds capacity in the United States workforce for polar research and development; and (E) improves collaborations among research institutions; (4) (A) provide the operational and logistical platform for the United States to conduct world-class science in Antarctica and maintain an active and influential presence on the continent; and (B) coordinate with, and, as needed and on a cost-reimbursable basis, draw upon the logistical support capabilities of, Federal, military, and commercial partners working together to execute a supply chain to provide personnel with everything needed to live, work, and conduct science in the polar regions, including air operations, maritime support, and land capabilities; (5) (A) advance polar region safety and health through activities such as industrial hygiene and safety activities and oversight of the occupational health and medical system for programs in polar regions to ensure public health and improvement; and (B) support a streamlining of safety initiatives in polar regions; and (6) support the interest of the United States in the Arctic and Antarctica through representation, active engagement, and performing other duties in accordance with relevant national and international bodies, treaties, and agreements.