Opportunities for Antarctic research – apply now!
Applications to carry out small-scale research projects in the Antarctic in the 2025/26 season are invited from UK-based researchers through the Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS).
The scheme provides opportunities for scientists in UK Higher Education Institutes and other approved research organisations to conduct fieldwork which either enhances funded research that has secured BAS logistics support, or supports early-stage research in preparation for submitting a full NERC grant proposal. Meeting the training and development needs of UK scientists at an early stage of their careers is an important part of NERC’s responsibilities. CASS proposals which incorporate such opportunities for early-career scientists are welcomed.
Projects undertaken by previously successful applications cover an array of topics; from studying changes to microbial communities in peat moss banks at Signy Island Research Station, to investigating the role the seafloor plays in supplying nutrients to the oceans at Rothera Research Station.
Capacity in the 2025/26 season
Applications are invited for support at Signy Research Station. Projects based at Signy should account for a deployment length of at least 1 month and 1 week; this includes transit time, with 3 of these weeks spent at the station. Please note that there is a possibility that projects based at Signy may be faced with a lengthy deployment of between 3 and 5 months from December 2025 to April 2026. Further information on the shipping schedules will be communicated when available.
There may also be the opportunity to support complementary science projects on the RRS Sir David Attenborough (SDA) as part of a funded science cruise, or during transit periods if spare berths exist and any sampling would not impact the itinerary (i.e. no dedicated ship time required). The exact itinerary for the RRS Sir David Attenborough is currently under development, however if you have an idea for a ship-based CASS project, then please contact the Science Capability Coordinator to discuss support possibilities: SDAscience@bas.ac.uk.
BAS Operations are still reviewing season requirements for Bird Island and Rothera, so this webpage will be updated in late January/early February to indicate whether there is potential to support CASS projects at either of these stations in 25/26. Should capacity to support CASS at Rothera be identified, it is likely that any deployment window would fall in March/April 2026.
Whilst BAS expects to be able to support CASS projects under the current planning scenario for the 2025/26 season, should there be any further delays or impacts to funded fieldwork or infrastructure projects, this may impact BAS’ capacity to support CASS projects. BAS reserves the right to cancel support for CASS projects at any time, and team members are asked to maintain a flexible approach.

Emily Broadwell, PhD student at the University of Bristol, said the following after participating in a CASS project in the 2023/24 season:
‘With the CASS scheme I was able to spend a field season on Signy Island, studying the variety of species of snow and glacier algae found across the island. The isolated nature of this location holds great interest for the diversity of the species that are found here, and how they might compare to my other field sites across the European Alps and Arctic. This was also my first time travelling down south, and I am very grateful for the help and support from all those at BAS. It was an amazing adventure, both for being able to expand my research and to experience first hand the other scientific projects happening on the island, especially the penguin chick and seal monitoring.’
Potential applicants should note:
- There will be specific logistics and safety planning requirements which must be complied with ahead of any deployment.
- Projects should not require logistic resources additional to those already allocated to the Antarctic field programme supported by BAS.
- Whilst BAS will endeavour to support CASS projects in the 2025/26 season, this will be contingent on there being spare capacity in the BAS Antarctic field programme. As such, further delays to funded fieldwork or infrastructure projects may ultimately preclude support for CASS projects. BAS reserves the right to cancel support for projects at any time
The CASS application deadline for the 2025/26 field season is 16:00 on 27th March 2025. For full details on eligibility requirements, costs, and how to apply, visit the CASS – Information for Applicants page.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the feasibility of your proposed fieldwork, please contact William Mossman, Antarctic Access Office Coordinator afibas@bas.ac.uk