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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ALEXANDER KLEPIKOV Obituary
12 May 2025
ALEXANDER KLEPIKOV
1956–2025The COMNAP community is saddened to receive the news that our colleague and former RAE MNAP, Alexander Klepikov, passed away on 8 May. Alexander came from a family of polar explorers. He followed in his father’s footsteps receiving an oceanography degree that took him to the Arctic and Antarctic. Alexander was an active, friendly, knowledgeable contributor to COMNAP, and to DROMLAN. He will be missed by all in the Antarctic community. Read his full obituary here.
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Applications for the COMNAP Early-Career Award close in one month
1 May 2025
COMNAP is calling on early-career persons to apply for this year’s Early-Career Award.
COMNAP is offering an award with funding of up to USD $15,000 for 2025.
The annual award is an investment in the professional development of talented early-career persons and aim to strengthen international capacity and cooperation in the spirit of the Antarctic Treaty.
Learn more here.
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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.