Access to the German Research Vessels(interner Link) POLARSTERN, SONNE, METEOR, MARIA S. MERIAN, ALKOR, HEINCKE and ELISABETH MANN BORGESE) is granted to scientific users based on cruise proposals which are evaluated by means of a single, standardised review process(interner Link). 

The latter includes the documentation of results following the completion of a cruise in the form of a cruise report and results presentation(interner Link). 

Cruise Proposals(interner Link) are evaluated by the Review Panel(interner Link) German Research Vessels (GPF) according to scientific criteria. On this basis, the GPF votes on whether or not each cruise proposal is to be included in the cruise scheduling process.

Current GPF Meetings 

18th meeting: 28–30 April 2026, with SPP 2520 proposals (start of funding: from 2027)
Feedback to applicants: from 30 June 2026  

19th meeting: 12–13 November 2026
Feedback to applicants: from 14 December 2026 

20^th meeting: 04-05 May 2027, with SPP 2520 proposals (start of funding: form 2028)
Feedback to applicants: from 30 June 2027

21^st meeting: 09-10 November 2027
Feedback to applicants: from 14 December 2027

Calendar of Meetings

Review panel meetings are held twice a year, in spring (May) and autumn (November). Proposals submitted under SPP 2520 are only reviewed at the spring meeting.

If applicants wish their Regular Cruise Proposal to be reviewed at a specific GPF meeting, the following deadlines must be observed:

Desired GPF meeting for review of the cruise proposal	Latest submission date
Spring (May)	06 January of the same year
Autumn (November)	30 June of the same year

For proposals submitted under SPP 2520, please refer to the deadlines specified in the current call for proposals(externer Link).

All applicants are kindly asked to make use of the flexible year-round submission option for regular cruise proposals and submit completed proposals well in advance of the deadlines listed above wherever possible.