Call SPP 2520/3 (2026)

The Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) invites proposals for the 3rd call of the Infrastructure Priority Programme SPP 2520 "Research Vessels".

Established by the DFG Senate in September 2024, the program supports vessel-based marine research by providing funding for participation in research expeditions and the initial analysis of samples and data. The first funding period runs from 2026 to 2031. Under this call, projects may be funded for up to three years, starting from January 2028.

About the Program

Germany operates one of the world's leading research vessel fleets, providing state-of-the-art platforms for interdisciplinary marine science in all ocean regions. Beyond enabling cutting-edge research, these vessels play an important role in educating and training early-career researchers.

SPP 2520 aims to strengthen marine research, particularly through the active participation of university-based research groups, while addressing emerging scientific questions and future challenges in vessel-based research.

Research Themes (2026–2031)

Projects should contribute to one or more of the programme's five overarching research themes:

• Oceans in a changing climate
• Ocean interfaces and biogeochemical cycles
• Ocean–lithosphere dynamics
• Ocean–biosphere interactions
• Ocean-based new technologies and innovation

Eligible Research Vessels

Proposals may be submitted for expeditions using all German research vessels participating in the Joint German Research Vessel Coordination (GPF) process:

• RV MARIA S. MERIAN
• RV METEOR (IV)
• RV SONNE
• RV POLARSTERN
• RV ALKOR
• RV HEINCKE
• RV ELISABETH MANN BORGESE

Please note that grants starting in January can generally only support cruises beginning from May onwards of the same year due to logistical preparation requirements.

Important Information for Previous Applicants

Researchers who previously received a positively reviewed cruise proposal under the former BMFTR (RV SONNE) or DFG (RV MARIA S. MERIAN) cruise funding schemes must submit a new SPP 2520 funding proposal.

Chief scientists affected by this transition have already been informed by the DFG, Projektträger Jülich (PtJ), and the SPP coordination team. Applicants should also consult the section "Explanatory Notes on SPP 2520 Grant Proposals" in the latest Cruise Proposal Preparation Instructions.

Submission Deadline

Proposal deadline: 2 December 2026

All proposals must:

• be written in English
• be submitted electronically via the DFG elan portal
• be submitted under Proposal Submission → New Project/Draft Proposal → Priority Programmes → "SPP 2520/3 Infrastructure Area – Research Vessels"

Important: Two Separate Submissions Required

After submitting the SPP 2520 grant proposal, applicants must also submit the corresponding Core Cruise Proposal via:

Proposal Submission → New Project/Draft Proposal → Cruise Proposals for Research Vessels (GPF Procedure)

Please refer to the current Cruise Proposal Preparation Instructions for detailed guidance.

Proposal Preparation

Applicants should carefully consult the current DFG documents before preparing their proposal:

• Programme Guidelines (DFG Form 50.05, Section B)
• Proposal Preparation Instructions (DFG Form 54.01)
• Proposal Template (DFG Form 53.01)

Only proposals prepared using the latest English-language template will be accepted.

For proposal submission, please use the DFG elan portal and consult the current DFG forms (mentioned above), the FAQ on proposal submission, and the Cruise Proposal Preparation Instructions.

New to the DFG?

Researchers submitting a DFG proposal for the first time must register in the elan portal no later than 30 November 2026.

Registration requests submitted after this date cannot be processed in time for this call. Registration is typically confirmed on the following working day. Applicants will be asked to select the appropriate Priority Programme during both the registration and proposal submission processes.

Coordination Workshop 3

The annual SPP 2520 Coordination Workshop will take place on 15–16 June 2027 at MARUM, University of Bremen.

The workshop is intended for researchers from German universities, universities of applied sciences, and research institutions. Participation is strongly encouraged for researchers planning to submit new proposals under the next call (scheduled for July 2027). Participants should be prepared to give a ten-minute oral presentation.

Equity and Diversity

The DFG welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, career stages, institutional backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures, religions, social backgrounds, and from researchers with disabilities or chronic illnesses.

In view of the scientific focus of this programme, female researchers are particularly encouraged to apply.

Good Research Practice

Funding can only be awarded to institutions that have implemented the DFG Code of Conduct for Safeguarding Good Research Practice in their regulations.Applicants should verify compliance with their institution well before funding decisions to avoid delays.

Scientific Contact

Professor Dr. Oliver Friedrich
SPP 2520 Main Coordinator
Institute of Geosciences, Heidelberg University
Tel.: +49 6221 54-8277
Email: oliver.friedrich@geow.uni-heidelberg.de

DFG Contacts

Programme contact
Dr. Tim Haarmann
Tel.: +49 228 885-2328
Email: tim.haarmann@dfg.de

Administrative contact
Inga Rechenberg
Tel.: +49 228 885-2711
Email: inga.rechenberg@dfg.de