NSF PA/M 00-06 - March 15, 2000
NSF Invites Media to Visit Greenland
Reporters may cover wide-ranging U.S.-sponsored research
Deadline: April 15, 2000 The National Science Foundation (NSF) is accepting written requests
from professional journalists to visit its Greenland scientific facility
in June 2000.
A scientific team supported by NSF's Arctic Program is based at Summit
Greenland Environmental Observatory (SGEO) on the Greenland ice sheet.
The team will study the composition of precipitation on the ice to better
understand how the atmospheric climate record is preserved in the snow
and ice. Ice cores drilled from the ice sheet have provided scientifically
significant insights into the climate record, particularly in global climate
change over the past 100,000 years.
To convey the significance of the science conducted in Greenland to
the widest possible cross-section of the public, NSF will select a small
group of journalists, representing diverse audiences, to visit Summit
for several days.
Interested reporters must submit a reporting plan that explains their
professional interest in visiting Greenland. A committee of Arctic Program
science and logistics personnel and media officers from NSF's Office of
Legislative and Public Affairs (OLPA) will select this season's media
visitors. Competition is expected to be intense for an extremely limited
number of slots.
Application: Applications that indicate a solid working knowledge
of the Arctic Program and the science it supports stand the best chance
of selection. U.S. media receive preference.
Expenses: Reporters or their employers pay for round-trip transportation
to -- and accommodations in -- Kangerlussuaq, Greenland. Reporters also
must make their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations in Kangerlussuaq.
NSF will furnish some limited cold-weather clothing solely for use in
the field and will pay the costs of housing, transportation and food in
the field.
Medical: Finalists must pass a comprehensive physical exam conducted
at their own expense by their personal physicians and subject to screening
by NSF. Certain medical conditions may preclude a candidate from visiting
Greenland, even if selected as a media visitor.
How To Apply: Phone or e-mail the contact listed below as soon
as possible to express interest. Plans for reporting from Greenland should
be submitted in a short letter -- preferably no longer than two pages. Freelancers
must supply evidence of a firm commitment to publish or air their work
on their prospective employer's letterhead.
Send the letter and any supporting materials (such as a limited number
of clips or videotaped segments) to:
National Science Foundation
Office of Legislative and Public Affairs
4201 Wilson Boulevard, Suite 1245
Arlington, VA 22230
Attn: Peter West, (703) 292-8070/pwest@nsf.gov
Deadline: Written requests must be received no later than April
15, 2000. NSF will notify those who are selected -- and those who are
not -- as soon as possible.
For background about NSF's Arctic Program, see: http://www.nsf.gov/od/opp/arctic/start.htm
For information about the science being conducted at Summit, see: http://www.hwr.arizona.edu/geosummit/
For tourism information about Kangerlussuaq, see: http://www.greenland-guide.dk/kangerlussuaq/default.htm
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