DFG
SPP 2520 "Research Vessels" – Cruise Proposals Call for Proposals
Usually open July to December each year
Last verified:
SPP 2520 "Research Vessels" funds marine and oceanographic research by allocating ship time on Germany's large and medium research vessels and providing grants for expedition and initial evaluation costs. The call is open to scientists at publicly financed research institutions across Germany. Cruise proposals are reviewed annually by the Review Panel for German Research Vessels (GPF) on scientific merit.
Details
| Funder | DFG |
| Application | Single stage: cruise proposal submitted via elan Portal, reviewed by GPF |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Next round | 2026-07 |
| Eligible countries | DE |
Eligibility & scope
Open to scientists at publicly financed research institutions in Germany. Applicants may request ship time on Germany's large/medium research vessels and funding for expedition and initial evaluation costs. Proposals submitted via DFG elan Portal; ship time allocated by the Review Panel for German Research Vessels (GPF) based on scientific quality criteria.
Who Should Apply
- •Scientists at publicly financed research institutions in Germany
- •Research teams conducting marine, oceanographic, or sea-based field investigations
- •Projects requiring extended ship time on large or medium research vessels
- •Early-stage evaluation projects needing vessel access for data collection
Key Dates
- •Annual call window: July to December
- •Single-stage submission via DFG elan Portal
- •Next round opens July 2026
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Submit proposals via the elan Portal well before the December deadline; late submissions risk administrative rejection.
- ✓Frame your proposal around scientific merit and feasibility of objectives within the requested ship time, GPF prioritizes research quality.
- ✓Clarify initial evaluation goals if proposing a multi-phase study; vessel time is allocated competitively and panels favour well-scoped expeditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I apply for ship time in SPP 2520?
Submit a cruise proposal via the DFG elan Portal during the annual call window (July to December); the Review Panel for German Research Vessels (GPF) evaluates proposals on scientific quality.
Who is eligible to apply for SPP 2520?
Scientists employed at publicly financed research institutions in Germany are eligible to request ship time and expedition funding.
When does SPP 2520 accept proposals?
The call is open annually from July to December; the next round opens in July 2026.
What research vessels can I request time on?
You may request ship time on Germany's large and medium research vessels; the GPF allocates vessel access based on scientific merit of your proposal.
Related on Grantsby
- DFG writing tips & FAQ
Evaluation criteria, proposal structure, common mistakes.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
More from DFG
DFG Support for Ukrainian Researchers — Supplemental Proposals and Living Expenses
Deadline: 31 Aug 2026Up to €1,000/month per project leaderInitiation of International Collaboration - Ukraine
Deadline: 31 Aug 2026DFG Support for Ukrainian Researchers / German-Ukrainian Bilateral Projects
Deadline: 31 Aug 2026Up to €1,000/month per Ukrainian project leader for living expensesFunding Opportunity for Dutch-German Basic Research Projects in Fields of the Sciences (NWO Domain Science – DFG)
Deadline: 30 Jul 2027DFG-NWO Lead Agency Procedure (Joint Pilot)
Deadline: 30 Jul 2027
Browse Related
Could SPP 2520 "Research Vessels" – Cruise Proposals Call for Proposals be right for you?
See your personalised match score for this grant and others in 30 seconds. No signup needed to preview.
See my matches free →