Funding is provided for research projects on topics relating to the sea and oceans which require access to research vessels. The programme is open to researchers based in Germany.

In 2024, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG – German Research Foundation) established the Infrastructure Priority Programme ‘Research Vessels‘ (SPP 2520). The programme is designed to run for six years, from 2026 to 2031. The present call invites proposals for a period of up to three years starting in January 2028 or later.

The goal of the Priority Programme is to address emerging questions and future challenges related to vessel-based research, including participation in vessel expeditions and initial analysis of samples and data.

The Programme focuses on the following five main topics:

• The oceans in a changing climate.
• Ocean interfaces and biogeochemical cycles.
• Ocean-lithosphere dynamics.
• Ocean-biosphere interactions.
• Ocean-based new technologies and innovation.

Applications are open for cruises with all German research vessels that are part of the joint GPF process.

Eligible to apply are researchers who work in Germany, or at a German research institution abroad, and who have completed their academic training (usually with a doctorate). The participation of researchers based outside Germany is permitted if their project is of added value to the programme at large.

Funding is available for a period of three years and can be requested for a number of modules covering direct project costs, project-specific staff and instrumentation etc.