Infrastructure Area – Antarctic Research with Comparative Investigations in Arctic Ice Areas (SPP 1158)
The German Research Foundation's SPP 1158 supports interdisciplinary studies on Antarctic and Arctic ice areas to advance understanding of polar climate dynamics and environmental change.
Funder: German Research Foundation
Due Dates: August 9, 2026 (Workshop registration) | October 26, 2026 (elan portal registration) | November 2, 2026 (Proposal submission)
Funding Amounts: Funding for up to 3 years per project; typical DFG Priority Programme grants cover personnel, travel, equipment, and related costs.
Summary: Supports interdisciplinary research on Antarctic and Arctic ice areas, focusing on climate, environmental change, and polar system dynamics.
Key Information: Mandatory workshop registration and portal registration are required prior to proposal submission.
Description
This Priority Programme from the German Research Foundation (DFG) supports interdisciplinary research into the pivotal role of polar regions in the global climate system, with a particular focus on comparative investigations in Antarctic and Arctic ice areas. The initiative aims to clarify Antarctica's influence within the Earth system and to foster research on recent geological history (not older than 34 million years). The programme is especially supportive of early-career researchers at German institutions and provides access to Antarctic field sites and research infrastructure through international collaboration.
The 2025–2030 phase emphasizes four main research themes:
- Dynamics of climate system components
- Response to environmental change
- Connectivity and exchange in polar systems
- Improved understanding of polar processes and mechanisms
Proposals should address at least one of these themes and engage with the programme’s over 60 specific research questions.
