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 Dear Member of the Swiss polar and high-altitude science community,
Thank you for your collaboration in 2025.
May 2026 bring new horizons and shared accomplishments!
This year, SPI turns 10! There is a lot to look forward to, please scroll down to the events section to discover what we have in store. We also invite you to save the date for this year's Swiss Polar Day that will take place on 9 September in Sion. This newsletter edition also brings you an overview of the current calls such as the Polar Access Fund and PolARTS that are closing soon, the SCPH calls for Swiss representation in IASC and SCAR, as well as other funding and training opportunities, and open positions. We thank you for your continued support and wish you a good read!
The SPI Team
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Two new SPI Flagship Initiatives have been selected
 © Maxi Castrillejo, all rights reserved
Following the second call for proposals launched in 2025, two SPI Flagship Initiatives have been selected for funding. These Swiss-led multi-annual programmes will combine an interdisciplinary approach and cutting-edge science. They aim to investigate critical changes in the Arctic and Antarctic regions and to bring better understanding of the far-reaching implications these two regions have for the global climate. Learn more about the two selected projects →
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 Photo credits: © Eliot Sicaud, all rights reserved
Co-funded by SPI and BNP Paribas Swiss Foundation, the Polar Access Fund aims 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. Learn more & submit your proposal →
 Illustration: © Jean-Vincent Simonet, all righs reserved
PolARTS is a joint initiative by the Swiss Arts Council Pro Helvetia and the Swiss Polar Institute to encourage exchange and to foster collaboration between art and science. The PolARTS initiative supports up to three tandems composed of an artist and a polar scientist over a period of 12 to 18 months, and opens a space for new explorative practices and transdisciplinarity.
Learn more and apply →
Next opportunities:
SPI contributes to the cost related to the participation in field schools and training programmes to enable students and early-career scientists affiliated to a Swiss academic or research institution to acquire specialised experience and knowledge. Learn more & apply for SPI support →
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 The next training in collaboration with GRIMM is open for registration:
A two-day course addressing the needs of scientific groups going into the field focuses on first-aid practices in special conditions encountered in cold and remote regions.
Find out more & secure your place →
The registration is open for the upcoming course on:
Building a positive team culture for safe and effective fieldwork
29 May 2026
Alpole, Sion
The participants will explore essential leadership and communication tools that empower every field team member, regardless of their role, to actively contribute to fostering a positive and supportive environment.
The course is organised in collaboration with the Advancing Field Safety programme, an initiative created by members of ETH Zurich, the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the ADVANCEGeo Partnership.
Contact us to register →
In collaboration with AWI:
For scientists working in northern regions the presence of polar bears is a risk that should not be underestimated. For this reason, SPI collaborates with the Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) in Germany to make training courses about polar bear awareness and handling of weapons available to Swiss-based scientists. Find out more →
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Swiss Polar Institute: 10th Anniversary Events
Save the dates!
 As part of SPI's 10th anniversary celebrations in 2026, we invite you to save the date for two key moments this year:
Exclusive event
Switzerland, the poles and high-altitude regions: what ambitions for 2035?
Wednesday 18 March | 12:30-15:00
Burgerratssaal, Casino, Bern
Event in French and German, by invitation only
Festive event
10 years of partnerships and innovation at the service of polar and high-altitude research
Wednesday 9 September | starting at 17:00
Noda BCVS, Sion
In the presence of all the partners and the scientific community of the Swiss Polar Institute
The RSVP forms and detailed programmes will be published in due course. We look forward to welcoming you on these special occasions.
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 Save the date! This year's Swiss Polar Day will be held on 9 September in the new concert and congress hall Noda BCVS in Sion. The event will be followed by SPI's 10th Anniversary celebration. Book your calendar and stay tuned for more info soon! Bookmark the event page →
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APECS Switzerland: Join the association of polar early-career researchers |
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The Swiss chapter of the Association of Polar Early-Career Scientists is actively looking for new members. If you are interested in expanding your network and taking part in organised scientific activities, reach out to the national committee representatives. More info → |
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Swiss Polar Festival brings polar and high-altitude science to 900 visitors
 © 2025 Swiss Polar Class, all rights reserved
Over four days, this year’s Swiss Polar Festival embarked nearly 900 visitors on a journey of discovery from the high peaks of Pamir Mountains to the Rhone River and its microscopic world of plankton. The festival offered a rich variety of scientific outreach activities through engaging formats in collaboration with various partners. Read more →
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 To stay-up-to-date with the latest news about the Flagship Initiatives, their dedicated websites, GreenFjord and PAMIR, offer a host of information about the projects, their latest updates and social media feeds.
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