Priority program Antarctic research

The polar regions play a key role in the global climate system. Interdisciplinary research is particularly important for understanding these regions and their changes due to climate change. The German Research Foundation (DFG) has been funding German Antarctic research as part of the priority program “Antarctic Research with Comparative Studies in Arctic Ice Regions” (SPP 1158) since 2003. In the next program phase 2025 – 2030, the research work will focus on four overarching topics:

  • Connectivity and exchange in polar systems
  • Dynamics of climate components
  • Responses to climate change
  • Improved understanding of polar processes and mechanisms

The priority program enables German scientists to participate in international Antarctic research and to access the necessary infrastructure for the polar regions. It also ensures the training of young researchers.

The overall coordinator of the priority program is Prof. Dr. Ulf Karsten, University of Rostock.

Coordinator for Biological Sciences:
Prof. Dr. Petra Quillfeldt, University of Gießen
Coordinator for Physics and Chemistry:
Prof. Dr. Tilmann Harder, University of Bremen

Coordination assistence:
Dr. Angelika Graiff, University of Rostock
Dr. Julia Ehrlich, Universität Rostock

For technical questions, please contact Dr. Ismene Seeberg-Elverfeldt
Ismene.Seeberg-elverfeldt[at]dfg.de
Tel: +49 228 885 2825

For questions of a formal nature, please contact Ute Bennerscheid
ute.bennerscheid[at]dfg.de
Tel: +49 228 885 2455

Funding for research in the Arctic is provided through individual project funding and collaborative research centers.