The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting proposals for research supported by the United States Government in Antarctica. The goals of the program include expanding our fundamental knowledge of the region and using Antarctica as a platform from which to support research. Support is available for fieldwork and Antarctic-related analytical work at home organizations. Full proposals are due on June 8, 2009. Futher program information is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2009/nsf09536/nsf09536.htm?govDel=USNSF_25

Antarctica has long been a research site of interest for astrobiologists. The continent supports a range of unique organisms that can survive in some of the most extreme conditions on our planet. The NSF is the lead agency in the USA for the International Polar Year (IPY), 2007-2009. For further information on IPY programs, visit the U.S. government interagency IPY site at http://www.us-ipy.gov/.