WELCOME to the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) website
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs is an international association, formed in 1988, which facilitates support to Antarctic operations amongst the governmental National Antarctic Programs. Our Membership is thirty-four country programs, representing almost 100% of the science and science support activity in Antarctica. The National Antarctic Programs, our Members, are responsible for delivering and supporting scientific research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments and in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty. They work collaboratively and individually to ensure data from Antarctica is available to the world.
Projects
COMNAP Projects support our Membership, engage the public, and ensure we are providing best practice advice to the Antarctic Treaty system.
Expert Groups
People within the COMNAP Membership have a depth and breadth of expertise found nowhere else. A fundamental aspect of our organisation is to support the free exchange of information between these experts.
Ambitions
Our Ambitions include caring for the environment, supporting our Members to succeed, and fostering strong community relationships while contributing towards a positive, enduring Antarctic future.
Documents and resources
Over the years, we have worked with our Membership and the wider Antarctic community to produce a range of informative brochures, booklets, books and even the Antarctic Station game. Some of our publications provide guidance to our Members on things like waste management, critical technologies, preventing the introduction of non-native species into the Antarctic environment and how to prevent and respond to oil spills. We are advisors to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings (ATCMs) and to the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) through our Permanent Observer status.
News & Events
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RINGS Project
2 September 2026
A new International Scientific review coordinated through RINGS, a project endorsed by COMNAP, have been published and the open access paper is available online.
The RINGS project team is also holding three pre-season meetings on UTC 24 September 0700, 1500, and 2200hrs for who is interested in learning more on RINGS activities for the upcoming season.
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POLARIN Transnational Access Call 2026
1 September 2026
POLARIN has now opened their Transnational Access Call for 2026 to access 31 research infrastructures in polar regions. Proposals submitted must address at least one of the following research priorities: Sea Ice and Polar Oceans in the Climate System;Polar Ice Sheets, Glaciers and Sea Level; Terrestrial Carbon Cycle and Permafrost; Polar Ecosystems and Biodiversity; Atmosphere Dynamics and Chemistry; Paleoclimate Processes and Variability; Humans, Societies and Global Changes; Closing Polar Knowledge Gaps.
The call will close on 29 October. Fore more information visit POLARIN website.
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Congratulations to Hyoung Chul Chin
20 August 2026
Hyoung Chul Shin, COMNAP MNAP for the Republic of Korea, has been newly elected as Vice President in the SCAR Executive Committee at the end of the XXXIX SCAR Delegate Meeting.
Hyoung Chul Shin was also apponted as COMNAP Vice Chair for the period 2013-2016.
Congratulations Hyoung Chul and we are looking forward to continue to work with you and rest of the SCAR EXCOM on topics of common interest.
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COMNAP AGM 38 Concludes
10 August 2026
Over 200 participants were gathered in Tromsø, Norway, for COMNAP Annual General Meeting 38, held from 4 to 6 August 2026.
Hosted by COMNAP Member, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the meeting was our annual in-person opportunity to make preparations for the upcoming Antarctic research season and to exchange expertise on a broad range of topics.You can read the public communique released on 10 August 2026 here.