Infrastructure Priority Programme “Research Vessels” (SPP 2520)
The German Research Foundation’s SPP 2520 grant funds interdisciplinary marine science using Germany’s research vessels to address key ocean and climate challenges.
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Funder: German Research Foundation
Due Dates: November 30, 2026 (elan portal registration deadline) | December 2, 2026 (proposal submission deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to 3 years per project; covers vessel participation and initial analysis; no explicit upper limit stated.
Summary: Supports innovative, interdisciplinary marine research using Germany’s research vessels, focusing on major ocean science challenges.
Key Information: Registration in the elan portal by November 30, 2026 is mandatory for first-time applicants.
Description
The Infrastructure Priority Programme “Research Vessels” (SPP 2520) is a major initiative by the German Research Foundation (DFG) to enable cutting-edge marine research by providing access to Germany’s advanced fleet of research vessels. The programme targets interdisciplinary scientific missions that address emerging and future challenges in ocean sciences, and it places a strong emphasis on fostering collaboration and training early-career researchers. The current phase (2026–2031) centers on five core themes:
- Oceans in a changing climate
- Ocean interfaces and biogeochemical cycles
- Ocean-lithosphere dynamics
- Ocean-biosphere interactions
- Ocean-based new technologies and innovation
Funding supports vessel-based expeditions and the initial analysis of samples and data, with a particular focus on strong participation from university research groups.
