POLARIN

Info

POLARIN is a Horizon Europe project designed to unify and strengthen Europe’s polar research capacity by connecting Arctic and Antarctic infrastructures into a coherent, accessible system. It brings together stations, vessels, observatories, data services, and long‑term archives to support high‑quality research on the rapid environmental changes unfolding at both poles. By improving access, interoperability, and data integration, POLARIN enables scientists to investigate climate processes, ecosystem shifts, and cryosphere dynamics with greater precision. The project also invests in training, safety, and community development to ensure that researchers can work effectively in extreme environments. Through coordinated services and shared standards, POLARIN enhances Europe’s ability to monitor polar change, support evidence‑based policy, and contribute to global climate knowledge.

The Need

Polar research infrastructures operate across remote regions, harsh conditions, and diverse national systems, making coordinated access and data use difficult. Researchers face fragmented procedures, incompatible digital tools, and limited interoperability, which slow planning and reduce scientific efficiency. Key challenges include:

• dispersed access workflows
• limited system interoperability
• strong logistical and seasonal constraints
• no unified TA/RA management framework
• a consolidated RI management interface
• advanced, customizable reporting modules

POLARIN addresses these structural gaps by creating a coherent, integrated access and data ecosystem for polar science.

The Solution

To address the fragmentation and operational complexity that characterise polar research infrastructures, the Transnational Access Platform (TAP) was used as the unified digital environment supporting POLARIN’s access management. TAP streamlines the entire TA/RA lifecycle by replacing dispersed procedures with a single, coherent system where proposals, evaluations, logistics, documentation, and reporting follow harmonized workflows. This reduces administrative burden, improves transparency, and ensures consistent compliance across infrastructures operating under different national frameworks.

TAP also mitigates the logistical constraints of polar operations. Its integrated booking engine accounts for availability, seasonal windows, and operational limitations, enabling realistic planning across research infrastructures. A secure document space centralizes guidelines, permits, and safety materials, while automated reporting ensures alignment with EU requirements. Authentication and role management are handled through a robust identity system that supports multi‑institution collaboration and protects sensitive information.

Through TAP, POLARIN benefits from a connected, efficient access ecosystem that directly addresses its structural needs and supports high‑quality polar science.

State of the Art

TAP has already supported two POLARIN full TA/RA calls and two core repository calls and is fully prepared to manage the futures incoming calls. TAP has demonstrated the reliability, flexibility, and operational coherence needed to manage complex access workflows. Its selection as the official TA management system for POLARIN confirms its capacity to streamline processes, integrate best practices, and support large‑scale, multidisciplinary research infrastructures.

Coordinator:  AWI

Partners: Corsortium page

Duration: 01 March 2024 – 28 February 2029 (5 years)

Funding: Net EU contribution € 14 588 116,68 – Total cost € 14 588 116,68

GA: 101130949