Focus areas

(a) In general In consultation with the Assistant Director, the Board, and the advisory committee established under section 7, the Director shall identify, and annually review and update as appropriate, a list of— (1) polar research and development, education, and workforce development investment priorities under this Act; and (2) necessary infrastructure and logistical support needed to appropriately carry out polar research and development, education, and workforce development under this Act. (b) Initial focus of polar regions research and infrastructure investments The initial focus of polar regions research and infrastructure investments shall be— (1) research and associated research infrastructure investments that maintain, strengthen, and enhance the ability of the United States to observe, understand, and predict the physical, biological, geologic, and socioeconomic processes and interacting systems of the Arctic to— (A) protect and advance the interests of the United States and ensure prosperity of the United States Arctic residents; (B) strengthen Alaska's role as the primary Arctic research, logistics, operations, and workforce development hub for the United States; and (C) strengthen existing associated research, research infrastructure, and workforce development in other States and territories; (2) research and associated research infrastructure investments that maintain, strengthen, and enhance the ability of the United States to observe, understand, and predict the physical, biological, geologic, and socioeconomic processes and interacting systems of Antarctica to protect and advance the interests of the United States under the Antarctic Treaty; (3) polar research and development that ensures the uncontested navigation and strategic utilization by the United States of the Arctic; and (4) polar research and development that ensures the United States dominance in Antarctica under the Antarctic Treaty.