Author name: Maria Grigoratou

Thank You for Your Proposals to the 2nd POLARIN Transnational Access Call We would like to thank everyone who submitted their proposal to the 2nd POLARIN Transnational Access (TA) Call! In total, we received 104 proposals across 40 Research Infrastructures. Altogether, 4,489 access units were requested by 296 users, including 4,040 in-person and 449 remote access units. The proposals will now go through an eligibility check, followed by a scientific evaluation of all eligible applications. Access decisions will be announced by mid-March 2026. Thank you once again to all applicants for your enthusiasm and contributions to polar research through the POLARIN Research Infrastructure network!

Recording of POLARIN’s Information Webinar for TA Users Now Available On 18 September 2025, POLARIN hosted a webinar for Transnational Access (TA) users, providing researchers with key insights into the project and its research infrastructures. The event placed a special focus on the 2nd POLARIN TA Call, which opened on 1 September and will run until 30 October 2025.   The session opened with welcoming remarks from Hannele Savela, POLARIN TA Coordinator at the University of Oulu. This was followed by an introduction to the POLARIN project and its activities, presented by Veronica Willmott-Puig, POLARIN Project Manager at AWI.   Hannele then outlined the guidelines for applicants to the 2nd Transnational Access call, covering access modalities, eligibility criteria, priorities, data policy, and the application process. Attendees also received a practical demonstration of the POLARIN TAP online application platform, introduced by Vanessa Spadetto, POLARIN TA Assistant at INTERACT.   The webinar concluded with an interactive Q&A session, allowing researchers to clarify their questions before submitting applications. A full recording of the webinar is available on POLARIN’s YouTube channel.   Related articles: POLARIN Opens Second Transnational Access Call for Polar Research    Interview: Unlocking the Poles – POLARIN’s 2nd Call for Transnational Access to Polar Research Infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic   Recording of POLARIN’s 2nd TA Call Brokerage Event Now Available    Join the POLARIN Expert Pool – Support the Evaluation of the 2nd Call for Proposals

Join Our September 18 Information Webinar for POLARIN TA Users Date and time: Thursday 18th September 2025, 10.30-12.00 CEST Zoom link:  https://oulu.zoom.us/j/69306892467   POLARIN will host a webinar for Transnational Access (TA) users on Thursday, 18 September 2025, from 10:30 to 12:00 CEST via Zoom link.   The session will introduce participants to the POLARIN project and its research infrastructures, with a focus on the 2nd POLARIN TA Call, which opened on 1 September and runs until 30 October 2025 (16:00 CEST).   The webinar will offer practical guidance on access modalities, priorities, eligibility criteria, data policy, and the application process. It will also feature an introduction of the POLARIN TAP online application platform and conclude with a Q&A session, giving participants the chance to clarify questions before applying.   This webinar is an opportunity for researchers interested in polar science to learn more about accessing world-class infrastructures through POLARIN.   PROGRAMME 10.30-10.45 Introduction to POLARIN project and activities (Veronica Willmott-Puig, POLARIN Project Manager, AWI)   10.45-11.20 2nd POLARIN Transnational Access call: guidelines for applicants (Hannele Savela, POLARIN TA Coordinator, University of Oulu)   11.20-11.35 Introduction to the POLARIN TAP on-line application platform (Vanessa Spadetto, POLARIN TA Assistant, INTERACT)   11.35-12.00 Questions and Answers   Related links: If you missed POLARIN’s 2nd TA Call Brokerage Event on September 2, the full recording is now available, featuring insights into the TA programme, participating research infrastructures, and the new POLARIN GIS tool.

Recording of POLARIN’s 2nd TA Call Brokerage Event Now Available On September 2, 2025, POLARIN hosted a successful brokerage event for its Second Transnational Access (TA) Call. Researchers learnt how the TA programme enables free access to Arctic and Antarctic polar research infrastructures, both on-site and remotely. Highlights from the event included an overview of the POLARIN project and its second TA Call, presentations of selected polar research infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic, and a first look at the new POLARIN Geographic Information System (GIS), mapping 38 research stations into one interactive tool.  We are grateful to our speakers for their inspiring presentations: Veronica Willmott Puig, Hannele Savela, Andrii Fedchuk, Alejandro Font, Megan Clampitt, Amie Jackson, Niels Hoedeman, Leivur Janus Hansen, Christina Alsvik Pedersen, Elmer Topp-Jørgensen. The recording of the event is available here.    The 2nd POLARIN TA Call is open until October 30, 2025. Don’t miss the opportunity to apply and gain access to polar research infrastructures free of charge. Information Webinar – September 18 To support the polar research community, POLARIN is also organizing an information webinar on September 18, 10:30–12:00 CEST. The seminar will cover the application and evaluation process, as well as the principles of Transnational Access. A dedicated Q&A session will give participants the opportunity to address specific queries. The webinar can be accessed via this link.

POLARIN Opens Second Transnational Access Call for Polar Research Today, we are excited to announce the opening of POLARIN’s second Transnational Access (TA) Call, offering researchers the opportunity to apply for free access to 42 polar research infrastructures in the Arctic and Antarctic. Applicants are invited to align their proposals with at least one of POLARIN’s seven priority research themes: Sea Ice and Polar Oceans in the Climate System Polar Ice Sheets, Glaciers, and Sea Level Terrestrial Carbon Cycle and Permafrost Polar Ecosystems and Biodiversity Atmosphere Dynamics and Chemistry Paleoclimate Processes and Variability Humans, Societies, and Global Changes Key Dates and Application Process The call is now open, with proposals due by October 30, 2025, at 16:00 CET. Successful applicants will be notified in mid-March 2026, with project negotiations expected to follow in April 2026. Support for Applicants To help researchers prepare their submissions, POLARIN is hosting two online events: Brokerage Event – September 2, 2025 (15:00–17:00 CEST): The event will provide and an overview of the POLARIN project and its Transnational Access Calls, highlight some of the offered research infrastructures and briefly introduce the new POLARIN Geographic Information System (GIS). Learn more and register here. Information Webinar for Applicants – September 18, 2025 (10:30–12:00 CEST): The seminar will cover the application and evaluation process, as well as the principles of Transnational Access. A dedicated Q&A session will give participants the opportunity to address specific queries. The webinar can be accessed via this link: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/69306892467. Why It Matters POLARIN’s TA programme offers both in-person and remote access to cutting-edge facilities, lowering barriers for global researchers and strengthening international collaboration in polar science. The project’s first TA call attracted nearly 100 proposals, highlighting the strong demand for open access to polar research infrastructures and reinforcing POLARIN’s leadership in advancing climate and environmental science at the poles. Learn more about POLARIN’s second TA call here.

POLARIN Launches New GIS Platform for Polar Research Planning  “The POLARIN GIS is designed to empower researchers by providing a dynamic, user-friendly platform that centralizes information about polar research stations. Our vision is to streamline polar research facility metadata and strengthen international scientific cooperation across the network.”  Elmer Topp-Jørgensen, Special Advisor at Aarhus University and coordinator of the POLARIN GIS developments Today, POLARIN officially launches its Geographic Information System (GIS) platform, designed to transform the planning and coordination of polar research activities. POLARIN GIS is an online tool that allows institutions to share detailed information about polar research infrastructure and their surrounding environments. The platform will feature data on 38 arctic and antarctic research stations within the POLARIN network. Scientists can use POLARIN GIS to:  Search for stations that suit specific research needs for a POLARIN TA project. Read all about the individual research stations where they intend to apply for POLARIN TA. Find links to station websites, contact information, etc. to inquire about feasibility of proposed POLARIN TA projects. Managers and staff can directly access and edit the information, ensuring that scientists are informed of the latest updates. The launch of POLARIN GIS marks a significant step toward more integrated and data-driven polar research operations. “This GIS platform represents a major milestone for POLARIN. It not only enhances how we coordinate research activities but also strengthens the collaboration between our partner institutions. By providing a centralized, accessible, and customizable tool, we are setting the foundation for more efficient and impactful polar research in the years to come.”  Veronica Willmott Puig, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar- und Meeresforschung, POLARIN Project Manager  A short presentation of the POLARIN GIS will take place during the POLARIN Brokerage Event for the 2nd Transnational Access Call on September 2 (15:00–17:00 CEST). Interested participants can register here.

One Week Until the POLARIN Brokerage Event for the 2nd Transnational Access Call Registration Agenda (pdf) On September 2, 2025 (15:00–17:00 CEST), POLARIN will host a brokerage event for its Second Transnational Access (TA) Call to polar research infrastructures. The finalized agenda is now available. The TA programme offers researchers worldwide free access to 64 Arctic and Antarctic infrastructures. Access can be either in person (hands on), with selected users visiting installations to carry out research, or remote, through services such as provision of reference materials, samples, or access to high performance computing facilities. The September 2 event will: Provide an overview of the POLARIN project and its Transnational Access Calls Highlight selected research infrastructures from the 64 available Introduce the new POLARIN Geographic Information System (GIS) Registration Agenda (pdf) Key Dates for the 2nd POLARIN Transnational Access Call September 1, 2025 – Call opens October 30, 2025 (16:00 CET) – Call closes Mid-March 2026 – Access decisions communicated April 2026 – Negotiations with successful projects begin Related Upcoming Events: To support the polar research community, POLARIN is also organizing an information webinar on September 18, 10:30–13:00 CEST. The seminar will cover the application and evaluation process, as well as the principles of Transnational Access. A dedicated Q&A session will give participants the opportunity to address specific queries. The webinar can be accessed via this link: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/69306892467. Expert Pool: POLARIN is inviting experts to join its Expert Pool, contributing to the review of proposals submitted under the Transnational Access calls. Interested individuals are encouraged to register and indicate their field of expertise here.

POLARIN Brokerage Event for its 2nd Transnational Access Call to Polar Research Infrastructures: Agenda & Registration Open   Registration Agenda (pdf)   On September 2, 2025 (15:00–17:00 CEST), POLARIN will host a brokerage event for its Second Transnational Access (TA) Call to polar research infrastructures. The finalized agenda is now available. The TA programme offers researchers worldwide free access to 64 Arctic and Antarctic infrastructures. Access can be either in person (hands on), with selected users visiting installations to carry out research, or remote, through services such as provision of reference materials, samples, or access to high performance computing facilities.     The September 2 event will: Provide an overview of the POLARIN project and its Transnational Access Calls Highlight selected research infrastructures from the 64 available Introduce the new POLARIN Geographic Information System (GIS) Registration Agenda (pdf) Key Dates for the 2nd POLARIN Transnational Access Call September 1, 2025 – Call opens October 30, 2025 (16:00 CET) – Call closes Mid-March 2026 – Access decisions communicated April 2026 – Negotiations with successful projects begin Related Upcoming Events: To support the polar research community, POLARIN is also organizing an information webinar on September 18, 10:30–13:00 CEST. The seminar will cover the application and evaluation process, as well as the principles of Transnational Access. A dedicated Q&A session will give participants the opportunity to address specific queries. The webinar can be accessed via this link: https://oulu.zoom.us/j/69306892467#success.   Expert Pool: POLARIN is inviting experts to join its Expert Pool, contributing to the review of proposals submitted under the Transnational Access calls. Interested individuals are encouraged to register and indicate their field of expertise here.

POLARIN presented at the 37th COMNAP Annual Meeting in Warsaw The 37th Annual Meeting of the Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP) and the 21st COMNAP Symposium were held from August 5–8 in Warsaw, Poland, bringing together leaders and experts dedicated to advancing Antarctic science and operations. On August 8, Dr. Nicole Biebow, Coordinator of the POLARIN project, presented an overview of the initiative’s objectives. Her presentation highlighted two upcoming milestones: the opening of the second POLARIN Transnational Call on September 1, and the launch of the POLARIN Geographic Information System (GIS) on the same date. COMNAP, established in 1988, is an international association that coordinates and supports Antarctic operations among governmental National Antarctic Programs. Its 33 member programs represent nearly all scientific and logistical activity in Antarctica. These programs are tasked with conducting and enabling research in the Antarctic Treaty Area on behalf of their respective governments, ensuring that data from the region is shared globally in the spirit of international cooperation. You can find more information about COMNAP here.  

POLARIN Brokering Event and Webinar on the Upcoming 2nd Transnational Access Call The POLARIN project is preparing to launch its second Transnational Access (TA) Call for Proposals, offering researchers the opportunity to conduct fieldwork across a broad network of polar research infrastructures. The call will open on September 1, 2025, and close on October 30, 2025. Final decisions are expected by mid-March 2026, with contract negotiations for selected projects scheduled to begin in April. Funded under the European Union’s Horizon Europe programme, POLARIN brings together 54 partners to provide coordinated access to 64 research infrastructures located in the Arctic and Antarctic including  38 research stations, 12 polar vessels, 18 observatories, 4 core repositories and 7 data infrastructures. The aim of the Transnational Access programme is to foster international collaboration and support scientific work in some of the most challenging and environmentally sensitive regions on Earth. To assist potential applicants, POLARIN will host two dedicated online events in September: On September 2 (15:00–17:00 CEST), the Brokering Event will provide an overview of POLARIN’s objectives, showcase examples of research infrastructures within its network, introduce the POLARIN GIS tool, and share insights from the first access call. Further details, including the agenda and registration links, will be published soon on the POLARIN website. On September 18 (10:30–13:00 CEST), an Informational Webinar will offer detailed guidance on the application process, eligibility requirements, and evaluation criteria. A Q&A session will allow participants to raise specific questions about the call. In addition to welcoming applications from research teams, POLARIN is also calling for experts to join its Evaluator Pool, contributing their knowledge to the peer-review process. Interested individuals are encouraged to register and indicate their areas of expertise.