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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COMNAP Participating in the CEP/SC-CAMLR Climate Change and Monitoring workshop
8 May 2026
COMNAP is participating in the Joint CEP/SC-CAMLR Climate Change and Monitoring workshop, held in Hiroshima, Japan, 8-9 May. This third joint workshop follows the ones held in 2009 and 2016 aiming to strengthen cooperation and coordination between the CEP and SC-CAMLR with the two committees considering areas of common interest.
The workshop anticipate ATCM48 and CEP28 starting on 11 May.
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COMNAP AGM 38 and COMNAP SAR Workshop 6
1 May 2026 - Updated
Pre-registration closing in 30 days.17 February 2026
The Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held as an in-person, Members-only, meeting at the Edge Hotel, Tromsø, Norway, hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute.
The COMNAP Antarctic Search & Rescue (SAR) Workshop 6 will be held at the Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway, hosted by the Norwegian Polar Institute.
To participate in any of the meetings & events, registration is required and it is NOW OPEN for Members. Pre-registration will close on 1 June 2026.
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APECS International Mentorship Award
17 April 2026
The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) is currently calling for nominations for the APECS International Mentorship Award.
This award recognises outstanding mentors in the polar research community who have made a meaningful difference in supporting early-career researchers.
Further information, including eligibility and nomination details, is available here: https://www.apecs.is/mentors/mentorship-award.html.
The deadline is Monday, 1 June 2026, at 23:59 GMT.
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Call to Early-Career Persons as Annual Award and Fellowship Applications Open
16 March 2026
Calling all early-career persons interested in Antarctica. This is for you!
COMNAP is seeking applications from early-career persons for the Early-Career Award.
COMNAP, in conjunction with IAATO, are each offering an award with funding of up to USD $15,000 for 2026. Both the COMNAP and IAATO schemes enable early-career persons to work with a project team from another country, creating new opportunities and often partnerships that last for many years and over many Antarctic field seasons. The deadline for the COMNAP Early-Career Award and IAATO Antarctic Fellowship applications is 14 June 2026.
Learn more here.