DOGE cuts could mean a reduced US footprint in Antarctica
About 10% of the National Science Foundation has been laid off


Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency is taking aim at wide swaths of the federal government, which could mean cuts to research and U.S. expeditions in Antarctica. With programs' funding continually being slashed, scientists worry this could lead to a geopolitical struggle at the South Pole and bring vital Antarctic research to a halt.
Most notable are cuts to the National Science Foundation (NSF), which coordinates the majority of American scientific research in Antarctica, overseeing the Office of Polar Programs and the United States Antarctic Program. But the future of these programs could be in jeopardy with continued NSF cuts.
About 10% of NSF workers fired
The NSF is a $9 billion agency that "supports scientific advancement in practically every field apart from medicine," said The New York Times, which reported that DOGE eliminated about 10% of the foundation's 1,450 career employees. The NSF helps manage the three U.S. research bases in Antarctica that are staffed year-round: Amundsen-Scott South Pole Station, McMurdo Station and Palmer Station.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Research at these stations has been the "bedrock of the [United States'] presence" in Antarctica, said the Times. But it is not just the staff at the bases themselves that could see cuts. The U.S. Coast Guard's "Polar Security Cutter program remains in disarray," and could be a "perfect target" for Musk's "team of cost-cutters," said Forbes. These icebreaker ships help support Antarctic research, but are "years late, wildly over-budget, and both the budget and the schedule are at risk of slipping even further into the red," meaning DOGE might target them.
Cuts with widespread implications
At these research stations, scientists "operate a number of major research projects, studying everything from climate change and rising sea levels to the cosmological makeup and origins of the universe itself," said Wired. With large funding cuts, many "Antarctic scientists and experts don't know if their research will be able to continue, how U.S. stations will be sustained, or what all this might mean for the continent's delicate geopolitics."
Many of the fired NSF employees were program managers for Antarctic projects. These individuals are "critical for maintaining communication with the infrastructure and logistics arm of the NSF," said Wired, as well as "planning deployment for scientists to the continent, keeping track of the budgets, and funding the maintenance and operations work."
Even if these cuts were reversed, it might take a long time for these programs to get going again. Even "brief interruptions will result in people walking away and not coming back," Nathan Whitehorn, a Michigan State University professor and Antarctic scientist, said to Wired. It "could easily take decades to rebuild." Without these project managers, "everything stops," another NSF scientist said to Wired. This scientist had "no idea who I am supposed to report to now or what happens to submitted proposals."
This could also provide an opportunity for other nations to expand their reach onto the continent. Countries "such as Korea and China have been rapidly expanding their presence, while the U.S. has been sort of maintaining the status quo," marine scientist Julia Wellner said to the Times. It is possible that American scientists could simply collaborate with other countries, but those "other countries have their own scientists," said Wellner. "I don't think South Korea or the U.K. is just going to make room for all of us."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Justin Klawans has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022. He began his career covering local news before joining Newsweek as a breaking news reporter, where he wrote about politics, national and global affairs, business, crime, sports, film, television and other news. Justin has also freelanced for outlets including Collider and United Press International.
-
How developed was Iran's nuclear program and what's left now?
Today's Big Question Israel and the United States have said different things about Iran's capabilities
-
The downsides of a 'forgotten' 401(k) and how to find it
the explainer Don't leave your old retirement plan behind
-
AI chatbots are leading some to psychosis
The explainer The technology may be fueling delusions
-
Army commissions tech execs as officer recruits
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Some of the tech industry's most powerful players are answering the call of Uncle Sam
-
DNC rocked by high-profile departures as future is in question
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Generational shifts, ambiguous priorities, and the intensifying dangers of the Trump administration have pushed the organization into uncertain territory
-
Musk climbs down after messy MAGA breakup
Feature The Tesla CEO apologized after facing backlash for a series of social media posts criticizing Donald Trump
-
'Postal commemoration is especially befitting'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Trump's LA immigration showdown casts shadow over upcoming World Cup
IN THE SPOTLIGHT Amid a massive anti-immigrant detention push, analysts have begun to worry about the United States' plan to host one of the world's biggest athletic events
-
Musk: What did he achieve in Washington?
Feature Elon Musk leaves his government job but not after bruising his image, slashing aid and firing thousands
-
Elon Musk's Trump tiff could be an opportunity for Democrats
TALKING POINTS As two of the world's most powerful people put the final nails in the coffin of their former friendship, Democrats are split over how to best capitalize on the breakup
-
Obamacare is under threat in Trump's tax bill
In the Spotlight Medicaid has been the main talking point, but Obamacare users could be at risk