The polar regions play a key role in the global climate, and interdisciplinary approaches such as those in this Priority Programme make a particular contribution to understanding them. The Priority Programme ensures that German researchers in the natural sciences can participate in international polar research, especially in the early stages of their careers. Above all, however, it gives researchers at German universities access to Antarctica and enables them to use the necessary infrastructure provided by the partner institutions. During the current program phase (2025–2030), proposed research projects should align with one or more of the following overarching topics:

• Dynamics of Climate System Components
• Response to Environmental Change
• Connectivity and Exchange in Polar Systems
• Improved Understanding of Polar Processes and Mechanisms

These topics are supported by over 60 specific research questions and aim to clarify Antarctica’s role within the Earth system. Proposals in the field of geology should concentrate on Antarctica’s more recent history (no older than approximately 34 million years).

The annual coordination workshop of this Priority Programme is aimed at researchers from German universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutions and will take place from 28 September to 30 September 2025 in Bremerhaven, Germany. The coordination workshop is mandatory for applicants who wish to apply for a new project under the Priority Programme in November 2025 or submit a renewal proposal (oral 5-minute presentation), as well as for those currently funded under the Priority Programme (poster presentation). 

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Termin: 10.11.2025 (Registrierung bis 31.
Adresse: DFG, Kennedyallee 40, 53175 Bonn
Kontakt: Dr. Ismene Seeberg-Elverfeldt, Tel.: 0228/885-2825, ismene.seeberg-elverfeldt@dfg.de, Ute Bennerscheid, Tel.: 0228/885-2455, Ute.Bennerscheid@dfg.de
Weitere Informationen: Ausschreibung