What is the Netherlands Polar Programme

Since 1984 the Netherlands has a research program focused on polar research, known as the Netherlands Polar Programme (NPP). Although it used to focus on the Antarctic, since 2000 the donors of this research programme started to put finances at the Arctics disposal. In the current situation NWO aims at an equal budget for both polar regions.

What is the NPP? 
The NPP funds Dutch scientific research in the polar regions, and research about the polar regions (not specifically executed in the polar regions). The assessment of grant applications, implementation and co-ordination of the NPP is the responsibility of the Earth and Life Sciences Department of the Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research (NWO).

History
The background of the NPP is located in the Antarctic Treaty signed in 1990 by the Netherlands. A scientific research program is a requirement for participating countries to the Convention. Having our own scientific research programme also reinforces the Dutch position in the Arctic Council. The research lines of the current NPP are defined in a document entitled "Poolposition-NL - Dutch New Polar Programme 2010-2014" (in Dutch only) . The projects funded under this programme will continue until the end of 2015.

Themes
Research within the NPP takes place within the following themes:

Ice, climate and sea level
Polar Oceans
Polar ecosystems
Humanities and changes in polar regions

Budget