Polar Access Fund Grant

The Polar Access Fund Grant supports young researchers aiming to conduct their first field trip in polar regions or remote high-altitude areas. Co-funded by the Swiss Polar Institute and BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation, it offers up to CHF 20,000 for projects linked to climate change. This initiative encourages doctoral and early post-doctoral researchers to gain vital fieldwork experience while adhering to high safety and sustainability standards. Proposals must be part of a broader research project at a Swiss public institution.

The Polar Access Fund should enable young researchers to undertake a (first) field trip to a polar region (or a remote high-altitude area). The research conducted during the field trip must be inserted into an existing overarching project and be related to the issue of climate change.
The aim of the Polar Access Fund is to provide field access to a new generation of polar researchers, thus enabling successful applicants to gain critical experience in leading fieldwork and supporting their professional development.
The Polar Access Fund is an instrument co-funded by the Swiss Polar Institute (SPI) and the BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation.
Financial support and eligible costs
Funding of up to CHF 20’000.- can be granted per a successfully evaluated proposal. Eligible costs include all expenses related to the field trip and related fieldwork.
Overarching project and field trip
The field trip must be part of a broader already funded research project/PhD work (overarching project) at a Swiss public research institution.
The field trip can be undertaken in any polar region, Arctic or Antarctic. Field trips to remote high-altitude regions, such as the Andes or Himalaya are also eligible. The organisation and logistics of the funded field trip must be undertaken independently by the successful applicant. The SPI expects high safety and sustainability standards to be implemented during the field trip. Necessary means (field guide, equipment, etc.) can be included in the budget. The field trip must be completed within 18 months of the award of the grant. Exceptions can be granted if duly justified.
Target Public and thematic areas
Any doctoral student or early post-doctoral researcher (maximum 36 months after the PhD award at the time of the proposal submission) working at a Swiss public research institution is eligible to apply.
This deadline will be handled strictly. The SPI can decide to grant exceptions and extend this period for up to 12 months for special circumstances (illness, maternity leave, etc.) if substantiated evidence is submitted. The nationality of the applicant is not an eligibility criterion.
This call is open to all disciplines interested in working in the above-mentioned regions. Interdisciplinary initiatives as well as initiatives from, e.g., Social Sciences, Humanities and Economics, are also encouraged. Proposals should underline the link of their project with issues related to climate change.
In view of promoting innovative and sustainable research methods, applicants are asked to take a thoughtful approach weighing the merits of the proposed project against its environmental impact. The proposal should reflect efforts made towards a reduction of the environmental impact of the proposed field trip (e. g. means of transport, reinforced collaboration between research groups, optimized coordination and planning), while maximising its scientific output.

Eligibility

To be eligible, proposals must notably respect the above-mentioned call’s general aims, the definition of the call’s target public, eligible costs as well as a geographic focus.Applicants who have already been on field trips in polar regions will not be declared ineligible but should duly explain which trips have been completed and how the proposed field trip distinguishes itself from previous opportunities.

Ineligibility

Ineligible applications will not be submitted for evaluation.Proposals for field trips that are not taking place in the frame of an already approved and funded research project (overarching project) will be considered ineligible.What the Polar Access Fund will not support:Trips without a scientific background (adventure, sports, etc.);OverheadFurthermore, the SPI:Will not organise the logistics of the funded field trips. This must be done by the (successful) applicant;Can give supporting documents (e.g., letter of recommendation) to successful applicants but cannot take care of visa or other such processes in their name.