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-three 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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Pre-Registration for the COMNAP AGM 37 (2025) is now OPEN
28 April 2025
Pre-Registration is now open for the COMNAP AGM 37 (2025) and associated meetings and events. These meetings will be held as in-person only events.
The dates of each meeting are:
AGM Sessions: Tuesday 5, Thursday 7 & Friday 8 August, 2025
21st COMNAP Symposium: Wednesday 6 August 2025
The Joint Expert Group on Human Biology & Medicine (JEGHBM) Business Meeting: Thursday 7 August 2025See also https://www.comnap.aq/annual-general-meeting and the COMNAP Members' Only website.
To participate in any of the meetings, registration before the deadline of Saturday 28 June 2025 is required.
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The hole in the ozone layer: A discovery in Antarctica that changed the world
28 April 2025
To commemorate the extraordinary moment the ozone hole was discovered in Antarctica 40 years ago, British Antarctic Survey (BAS) has teamed up with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) in London to host a special series of talks on Tuesday, 6 May 2025.
Jon Shanklin from BAS, who was one of the three scientific researchers who made the discovery and published their results in 1985, will deliver one of the talks.
This event will take place in person at The Royal Geographical Society. It will also be live streamed if you would like to join online. For full booking instructions, please visit the RGS website.
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CCAMLR is recruiting for the Executive Secretary position
26 March 2025
The Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) invites applications for the position of Executive Secretary.
CCAMLR is an international organisation, with Headquarters in Hobart, Australia, responsible for giving effect to the objectives and principles of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources.
The Executive Secretary manages an administrative, technical and scientific staff; presents and manages the Commission budget and associated programme of work; and organises the meetings of the Commission, the Scientific Committee and their subsidiary bodies.
Applications must be received no later than April 20 at 10pm AEST.
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Antarctic Organisations Issue Call to Early-Career Persons as Annual Award and Fellowship Applications Open
3 March 2025
The Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators (IAATO) are calling on early-career persons to apply for this year’s Antarctic Award and Scholarship.
COMNAP and IAATO are each offering an award with funding of up to USD $15,000 for 2024. 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 1 June 2025.
Learn more here.