Infrastructure Priority Programme “Research Vessels” (SPP 2520) — Call 3

The Infrastructure Priority Programme “Research Vessels” (SPP 2520) is a DFG funding programme that supports vessel-based ocean research addressing emerging questions in ocean sciences. It provides funding for participation in research vessel expeditions and for initial analysis of samples and data. Research in the 2026–2031 programme phase is structured around five themes including oceans and climate, biogeochemical cycles, ocean-lithosphere dynamics, biosphere interactions and ocean-based technologies. Proposals may request funding for an individual funding period of up to three years starting in January 2028 or later.

Grants to support participation in research vessel cruises and initial sample and data analysis; access to German research vessels listed under the GPF process.

The call is aimed at researchers from German universities, universities of applied sciences and research institutions; ship users with previously reviewed cruise proposals under former schemes must submit a new SPP 2520 proposal. Proposals must be written in English and submitted via the DFG elan portal; first-time applicants must register in the elan portal by 2026-11-30.

Submit an English proposal solely via the DFG elan portal; select 'SPP 2520/3 Infrastructure area – Research Vessels' and also submit the corresponding Core Cruise Proposal. First-time applicants must register in elan by 2026-11-30.