ALFRED-WEGENER-INSTITUT HELMHOLTZ-ZENTRUM FUR POLAR- UND MEERESFORSCHUNG

Their core work

AWI is Germany's premier polar and marine research institute, headquartered in Bremerhaven, operating research stations in the Arctic and Antarctic and running icebreaker expeditions. They study how polar regions drive global climate — from permafrost thaw and ice sheet dynamics to ocean circulation and marine ecosystems. Their work spans Earth system modelling, oceanographic observation networks, and Arctic community adaptation, making them a critical node for anyone working on climate science, polar logistics, or marine biodiversity. They also maintain major research infrastructure including vessels and polar stations that are made available to the wider European research community.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early H2020 period (2015–2018), AWI focused heavily on building and connecting Arctic observation networks, coordinating polar research communities (EU-PolarNet), and Earth observation through Copernicus-linked projects. From 2019 onward, their work shifted toward understanding climate tipping points, ocean biogeochemistry, and the human dimensions of Arctic change — indigenous peoples, local governance, and coastal community adaptation became prominent themes. There is also a clear expansion into applied marine sectors like aquaculture and fisheries management, signaling a move from pure observation toward societal impact.

AWI is moving from building polar observation infrastructure toward translating climate data into actionable adaptation strategies, with growing attention to human communities and marine food systems in warming Arctic regions.

How they like to work

AWI operates as both a consortium leader and a heavyweight partner. They coordinated 16 of 66 projects (24%), often taking the lead on large Arctic-focused initiatives while joining as a specialist contributor in broader marine and climate consortia. With 659 unique partners across 56 countries, they function as a major hub — not locked into repeat partnerships but connecting diverse European and international groups. This makes them an attractive anchor partner for new consortia: they bring credibility, infrastructure, and a vast network.

AWI has collaborated with 659 distinct partners across 56 countries, making it one of the most connected polar research institutions in Europe. Their network spans from Nordic and Atlantic nations to global partnerships reflecting the international nature of polar science.

What sets them apart

AWI is one of very few institutions in Europe that combines deep polar field expertise (icebreakers, Arctic and Antarctic stations) with advanced climate modelling and large-scale data infrastructure. Unlike university research groups that focus on single disciplines, AWI can deliver end-to-end: from deploying sensors under Arctic ice to running Earth system models to advising on adaptation policy. For any consortium that needs credible polar or marine climate science backed by real operational capacity, AWI is a first-call partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• Nunataryuk
  Largest AWI-coordinated project (EUR 2.3M EC contribution) tackling the socio-economic consequences of permafrost thaw on Arctic coasts — a rare bridge between geoscience and community adaptation.
• ARICE
  AWI led this EUR 1.87M project creating a shared European icebreaker strategy, positioning AWI as the gatekeeper for Arctic marine research infrastructure access.
• SPACE
  An ERC Starting Grant (EUR 1.5M) on the space-time structure of climate change — demonstrates AWI's capacity for fundamental, PI-driven climate science at the highest level.