On an Ambitious Antarctic Quest, One Nation Is on the Sidelines

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by Raymond Zhong

February 19, 2026

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On a recent Antarctic expedition aboard South Korea’s Araon icebreaker, nearly 40 international scientists, including roughly one-quarter from the United States, conducted research on the critical Thwaites Glacier. However, none of their main projects were funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF), highlighting challenging times for American science in polar regions. This marks a significant shift from just a few years ago when the NSF collaborated with Britain to support multiple expeditions to the glacier. The absence of NSF funding reflects broader challenges facing U.S. Antarctic research. Under President Trump, the NSF decommissioned its only icebreaker dedicated to studying Antarctica, leaving the country reliant on international vessels like South Korea’s Araon. David Holland, a polar scientist from New York University, expressed disappointment with the NSF’s reduced role, emphasizing the gap in leadership and support for critical scientific missions. The Thwaites Glacier, a massive and unstable ice sheet the size of Florida, plays a crucial role in stabilizing the West Antarctic ice sheet. Its potential collapse could lead to a 15-foot rise in global sea levels over centuries. While private foundations funded some American research on this expedition, experts stress that such ad hoc funding is insufficient for addressing the scale and urgency of polar science. This situation underscores broader concerns about U.S. leadership in scientific exploration and its implications for global environmental challenges. As other nations like South Korea continue to invest in Antarctic research, the lack of NSF involvement raises questions about America’s commitment to tackling pressing scientific issues. For readers interested in news and science, this highlights a critical moment in international collaboration and the potential consequences of reduced U.S. engagement in polar research.

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Originally published on NYT Homepage on 2/19/2026