Activities of Polar Research Board

非技术性极地研究委员会(PRB)是美国国家科学院内就与北极、南极和寒冷地区有关的问题提供科学建议的中心。PRB不进行科学研究，而是致力于综合现有信息，以便对决策者有用。PRB寻求增加州和联邦决策者以及其他人对极地科学的理解。该委员会的总体使命是帮助极地科学在美国和国际舞台上对社会产生更广泛的影响。这笔奖金将为公共政策研究局在三年期间的活动和运作提供部分支持。NOAA和NASA为PRB的运作和活动提供额外的资金。技术上，极地研究委员会(PRB)服务于极地科学和政策的接口，跨学科，跨越北极和南极地区。PRB的使命是促进对极地地区的了解，包括科学、工程、人文和政策的所有领域；促进极地科学的应用，使公众和决策者受益；为美国的研究计划提供建议，使其符合国家的需求；鼓励跨学科和跨极地的观点；并提供一个独立讨论极地问题的论坛。活动包括讨论论坛、项目审查、帮助确定优先事项和确定研究机会、评估相关技术、分析有争议的和国家重要的主题，以及根据需要执行其他任务。该委员会不进行研究，但帮助集中和整合信息，从而使极地研究在美国和国际上更具能见度和更广泛的社会影响。PRB还是两个国际极地科学组织--南极研究科学委员会(SCAR)和国际北极科学委员会(IASC)--的美国全国委员会。PRB的活动将不同的科学观点结合在一起，为国家需求服务。PRB努力增进对北极和南极的了解，对美国的研究努力提供独立的意见，确保极地科学界参与政府决策，并加强美国在国际活动中的领导地位。该委员会邀请“最优秀、最聪明”的科学家自愿投入他们的时间，而这些志愿者是委员会所有工作背后的智力力量。与会者是精心挑选的，以带来多样化的专门知识和经验；他们是广泛的思考者，既能对援助请求作出反应，又能预见问题。董事会越来越有效，开展了更明显的活动，并赢得了及时和坦率指导的声誉。在这一奖项的三年中，PRB希望通过解决各机构要求的或董事会成员确定的优先问题--通过董事会会议上的非正式讨论，以及通过开展新的特别研究和研讨会活动--为国家服务。董事会还将继续促进美国参与IASC和SCAR，并寻求使这些组织对美国利益有价值的方法。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

NontechnicalThe Polar Research Board (PRB) is the focal point within the US National Academies for providing scientific advice on issues related to the Arctic, Antarctic, and cold regions in general. The PRB does not conduct scientific research, but instead works to synthesize existing information so it is useful to decision makers. The PRB seeks to increase understanding of the polar sciences among state and federal decision makers and others. The Board's overall mission is to help polar science have a broader impact on society, both in the United States and in the international arena. This award will provide partial support for the expenses associated with the activities and operations of the PRB over a period of three years. NOAA and NASA provide additional funds toward the PRB's operations and activities.TechnicalThe Polar Research Board (PRB) serves at the interface of polar science and policy, across disciplines, and across both northern and southern polar regions. The PRB's mission is to advance understanding of the polar regions, including all areas of science, engineering, human dimensions, and policy; foster application of polar science to benefit the public and decision makers; advise U.S. research programs so they are responsive to the needs of the nation; encourage interdisciplinary and cross polar perspectives; and provide a forum for independent discussion of polar issues. Activities include discussion forums, program reviews, assistance in setting priorities and identifying research opportunities, evaluation of relevant technologies, analyses of controversial and nationally important topics, and other tasks as needed. The Board does not conduct research, but helps to focus and integrate information and thus give polar research more visibility and a broader impact on society, both in the United States and internationally. The PRB also serves as the U.S. National Committee to two international polar science organizations -- the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) and the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC).The PRB's activities bring diverse scientific perspectives together in service to national needs. The PRB strives to enhance understanding of the Arctic and Antarctic, provide independent views on U.S. research efforts, ensure that the polar science community is involved in government decision-making, and grow US leadership in international activities. The Board asks the "best and brightest" scientists to volunteer their time, and these volunteers are the intellectual force behind all the Board's work. Participants are selected with care to bring a diversity of expertise and experience; they are broad thinkers who can both react to requests for assistance and look ahead to anticipate issues. The Board is increasingly effective, conducting more visible activities, and has earned a reputation for timely and frank guidance. In the three years of this award, the PRB expects to serve the Nation by addressing priority issues either requested by agencies or identified by the Board's members -- through informal discussions at the Board meetings, and through the development of new ad hoc study and workshop activities. The Board will also continue to facilitate U.S. participation in IASC and SCAR, and seek ways to make these organizations valuable to U.S. interests.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.