IPY, International Polar Year Research Programme

The Dutch state has been a member of the Antarctic Treaty since 1991. Qualifications for the membership include the implementation of several years of substantial research in the field of Antarctica. ALW coordinates the Dutch part of this programme as part of the Dutch Polar Programme, which also includes the Arctic (North Pole) research. In exchange for implementing the four-year polar research programme, ALW receives a grant from various Dutch ministries.
The Dutch government has an extra budget at its disposal for participation in the research of the International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2008). The International Polar Year takes place once every 50 years. The Netherlands leads 6 of the 220 research projects of the current IPY. Through the coordination of Antarctic research ALW is involved in advising on the management of Antarctica in the so-called COMNAP.