Alfred-Wegener-Institute of Polar and Maritime Research

From north-pole to south-pole, from shallow water to the deep sea: For more than 25 years the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Maritime Research has been investigating the correlations of global climate and particular ecosystems in the sea and on land. The central research focus are the icy worlds of the Arctic and Antarctic. Also the Alfred Wegener Institute leads scientific projects in the temperate latitudes. The necessary know-how is ensured by scientists of different disciplines and nations: Together they investigate the air, biological and earth systems of the Earth. The aim of the research at the Alfred Wegener Institute is to decipher the changes in the global environment and the Earth system, which are partly natural and partly caused by humans.

The tasks in maritime research include North Sea research and contributions to biological monitoring on the high seas. Studies on marine pollution and natural marine substances and technical marine developments are likewise included. In addition the Alfred Wegener Institute offers coordination, consulting and services: Scientific and technical support of the German polar research and advising the federal government are important tasks of the Foundation, founded in 1980.

On the sea or directly onto the ice of the North and South Poles, the scientists often get by icebreaker: The research and supply vessel "Polarstern" is the most important mobile research platform of the Alfred Wegener Institute. Furthermore, research stations in the Arctic and Antarctica enable all year round meteorological and geophysical measurements. Also the Alfred Wegener Institute operates three research vessels working in the temperate zones and two polar planes

The Alfred Wegener Institute is the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Maritime Research: It is headquartered in Bremerhaven and now employs around 780 employees. The research center includes the Potsdam Research Unit, the Biological Station Helgoland and the Wadden Sea Station Sylt. The Alfred Wegener Institute is a member of the Hermann von Helmholtz Association of German Research Centers. It is funded 90 percent by the Federal Ministry for Education and Research. The state of Bremen is involved with eight percent and the states of Brandenburg and Schleswig-Holstein each with one percent.

International cooperation and an intensive intercultural exchange are essential prerequisites for modern research. Tolerance and openness belong to the central values of the Alfred Wegener Institute as do equity, youth development and a good balance between family and career.

The current framework for the scientific work at the Alfred Wegener Institute is currently the  research program PACES (Polar Regions and Coasts in a changing Earth System), which is succeeding the  research program MARCOPOLI (2004-2008).

Stiftung Alfred-Wegener-Institut für Polar- und Meeresforschung
in der Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft
Am Handelshafen 12
27570 Bremerhaven
Tel.: 0471 4831-0
E-mail: info at awi.de
 http://www.awi.de
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