The International Council of Science and the World Meteorological Organization co-sponsored the International Polar Year (IPY), a time dedicated to focused interdisciplinary study of Earth's polar regions. IPY ran from March 2007 through March 2009 so that researchers would have the chance to study each polar region in winter and in summer.

Now that the IPY is officially complete, NSIDC data managers are working to archive and distribute data collected during IPY.

Data and information, science, and outreach, are all important facets of IPY.

Data & Information Although IPY has formally ended, NSIDC data managers are working to make IPY data available now and in the future.

Science During IPY, NSIDC scientists conducted research and collected data for current and future study.

Education & Outreach Outreach was central to IPY’s goal of educating people about the significance of the polar regions.