The Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) is an international organization established in 1958 to facilitate international collaborations in Antarctic science, and SCAR serves as an advisor to the Antarctic Treaty System (ATS). The United States SCAR (US-SCAR) supports and strengthens U.S. participation in SCAR. The U.S. is one of 12 founding member countries of SCAR (there are currently 44 members), and Americans have consistently played a strong role in SCAR leadership.