DFG
Infrastructure Priority Programme "Research Vessels" (SPP 2520)
Registration in elan portal required by 30 November 2026 for first-time applicants
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The DFG's Infrastructure Priority Programme "Research Vessels" (SPP 2520) funds participation in expeditions aboard German research vessels, including the POLARSTERN, METEOR, and SONNE, along with initial sample and data analysis. Open to researchers at German universities and research institutions, the programme supports up to three years of project funding starting January 2028 or later. This is the third call of a structured six-year programme (2026-2031), with annual submission rounds.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Deadline | 2 December 2026 |
| Duration | Up to 3 years |
| Application | Single stage: SPP 2520 Grant Proposal plus corresponding Core Cruise Proposal via elan portal |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Next round | 2027-07 |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Funding for participation in research vessel expeditions (RV MARIA S. MERIAN, METEOR, SONNE, POLARSTERN, ALKOR, HEINCKE, ELISABETH MANN BORGESE) and initial analysis of samples/data, for projects starting January 2028 or later. Proposals must be written in English and submitted via the DFG elan portal; applicants typically affiliated with German universities and research institutions.
Who Should Apply
- •Researchers based at German universities, universities of applied sciences, or registered research institutions
- •Teams planning oceanographic, marine, or polar research expeditions on designated German vessels
- •Researchers with capacity for initial shipboard and post-cruise sample or data analysis
- •Institutions that have implemented the DFG Code of Conduct for Good Research Practice
Key Dates
- •Portal registration deadline: 30 November 2026; full proposals due 2 December 2026
- •Single-stage submission via elan portal
- •Project duration up to 3 years, starting January 2028 or later
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Coordinate your expedition with vessel availability early; boat time is the limiting factor and must be reserved through the call alongside your scientific proposal.
- ✓The Core Cruise Proposal component is mandatory and must be tailored to the specific vessel and cruise you plan to join; generic science proposals without a concrete cruise slot will not advance.
- ✓Proposals must be written in English and your host institution's DFG Code of Conduct compliance must be verified before submission, do not wait until the deadline to confirm this.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the research vessels covered by SPP 2520?
The programme funds expeditions on seven German research vessels: POLARSTERN, METEOR, SONNE, MARIA S. MERIAN, ALKOR, HEINCKE, and ELISABETH MANN BORGESE.
How long can an SPP 2520 project last?
Funded projects run for up to three years, with start dates of January 2028 or later.
Who is eligible to apply for SPP 2520?
Researchers at German universities, universities of applied sciences, and registered research institutions whose host institution has implemented the DFG Code of Conduct for Good Research Practice.
Is SPP 2520 a recurring call?
Yes, this is the third call of a six-year programme running 2026-2031, with annual submission rounds; the next expected call is July 2027.
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