The U.S. National Science Foundation Office of Polar Programs (OPP) supports the agency's implementation of the "Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984."
'Arctic Research and Policy Act' (ARPA)
The "Arctic Research and Policy Act of 1984," Public Law 98-373, July 31, 1984; amended by Public Law 101-609, November 16, 1990, provides a comprehensive national policy dealing with national research needs and objectives in the Arctic. ARPA establishes the U.S. Arctic Research Commission (USARC) and the Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC) to help implement the act.
U.S. Arctic Research Committee (USARC)
USARC is a presidentially appointed advisory body supported by staff in Washington, D.C., and Anchorage, Alaska. In addition to delivering a biennial report to the president and Congress outlining recommended scientific research goals and objectives for the Arctic, the USARC develops and recommends an integrated national Arctic research policy and builds cooperative links in Arctic research within the federal government, with the state of Alaska and with international partners.
Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee (IARPC)
IARPC is an interagency working group of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability.
The NSTC released a third five-year Arctic Research Plan and Biennial Implementation Plan that outlines key areas of study the federal government will undertake to better understand and predict environmental changes in the Arctic. For additional information, visit the IARPC Collaborations site.
National Strategy for the Arctic Region (NSAR)
On May 10, 2013, the United States established the NSAR, joining nations around the world in articulating strategic priorities for this critical region. Input for the U.S. Arctic strategy was broadly solicited from the state of Alaska, Alaska natives, U.S. agencies and others.
On January 21, 2015, the Arctic Executive Steering Committee (AESC) was established by executive order to provide guidance to federal departments and agencies and to enhance coordination of federal Arctic policies across agencies and offices. The committee also coordinates with state, local and Alaska Native tribal governments, other Alaska Native organizations, academic and research institutions, and the private and nonprofit sectors to meet the needs of Americans living in the Arctic and to advance U.S. interests throughout the circumpolar Arctic.
The NSAR was updated in 2022 and includes an implementation plan.
US Arctic Observing Network (US AON)
NSF co-chairs the US Arctic Observing Network, which builds bridges between federal agencies and non-federal and Indigenous partners to understand and improve scientific observations and observing platforms in the Arctic. The 2022 report to Congress can be viewed on the IARPC Collaborations website.
Additional policies can be found on the OPP policies, resources and reports page.