Author name: Maria Grigoratou

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.