Due to the eminent importance of the polar regions in the Earth system, great international efforts are made to better understand polar environments, to decipher the rates of change on
different temporal and spatial scales, and to quantify the mass and energy exchange with lower latitudes. The unique physico-chemical conditions are also responsible for the evolution of a
specific, often endemic Antarctic flora and fauna. A profound understanding of these settings, processes and biotas can only be achieved by coordinated research, involving all natural
science disciplines, which in the polar regions depends upon the logistic challenges and a specialized scientific infrastructure. The Priority Programme ensures that German scientists can participate in international polar research and that young scientists in Germany can be continuously trained in questions relating to polar research and climate change. Above all, however, it enables researchers at German universities to gain access to the Antarctic and to use the necessary infrastructures in the Antarctic.

In the current programme phase (2025-2030) research work will focus on four overarching research topics:

• Dynamics of climate system components
• Response to environmental change
• Connectivity and exchange in polar systems
• Improved understanding of polar processes and mechanisms

These overarching research topics should help to clarify the role of Antarctica in the Earth system. Projects with geological questions should focus on the more recent history of Antarctica (not older than 34 million years).

An abridged version of the new proposal of the DFG Priority Programme 1158 "Antarctic Research with Comparative Investigations in Arctic Ice Areas" for the funding period 2025-2030 is available for download as a PDF file.  

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