About the Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS)
The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (previously known as the Collaborative Gearing Scheme – CGS) provides opportunities for UK researchers to access NERC-BAS Antarctic research stations and marine science cruises for the purpose of conducting small-scale, fieldwork-based science projects that do not require logistic resources additional to those already allocated to the Antarctic field programme supported by BAS.
The projects should enhance existing funded research that has secured BAS logistic support, or may explore new ideas or test hypotheses in preparation for a funding bid to NERC. The Scheme does not provide funding for salaries, capital equipment or other direct science costs. Research proposals submitted for CASS support are expected to be relevant to NERC’s science remit, involve minimal impact on BAS logistic resources, and lead to findings that will be disseminated in the peer-reviewed literature.
Antarctica offers a unique and near-pristine environment in which to conduct science of global significance. As one of the research centres of the UK Natural Environment Research Council, the British Antarctic Survey (BAS) provides UK scientists and overseas collaborators with access to UK facilities and infrastructure in Antarctica, the coastal seas and oceans that surround it, and in the sub-Antarctic.
The usual mechanism for UK-based scientists to secure access to Antarctic logistic support from BAS is through the submission of competitive proposals to NERC funding opportunities. Grants awarded by NERC through its Discovery Science, Large Grant, Fellowship or Strategic research programme opportunities, and with an agreed requirement for Antarctic fieldwork, will be supported by BAS according to guidelines given elsewhere. The Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme (CASS) – which has been operating since 2001 – provides an additional route to access Antarctic support and makes efficient use of any spare capacity in the Antarctic field programme supported by BAS.
Through the CASS, NERC provides the opportunity for scientists in recognised UK Higher Education Institutes (or other Research Council Institutes, or approved Independent Research Organisations) to undertake small-scale collaborative science projects that, by attaching additional personnel, instrumentation, or tasks to existing Antarctic activities, or using research station infrastructure, offer significant additional science outcomes. The CASS only provides access to Antarctic logistics and financial support to cover some specific costs as described under ‘CASS – Requirements and Costs’. It does not provide funding for salaries, capital equipment or other direct science costs.
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.
Applications for support at Halley Research Station in 25/26 can also be considered. CASS projects seeking support at Halley should enhance existing funded station based research or programmes, and fieldwork personnel should be prepared to deploy shortly after the first week of November, before returning from fieldwork around mid-February 2026. To note, there will be a 2-week ship call to Halley in mid-late December, during which period project activity will be paused so that all personnel can assist with ship relief.
Due to the volume of funded projects and planned Estates work, there will not be capacity to support CASS projects at Rothera or Bird Island in 2025/26.
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.
Submission deadline: 16:00 on 27th March 2025 (for applications for fieldwork support during the 2025/26 field season)
Collaborative Antarctic Science Scheme form – application form for the 2025/26 field season
Please see the Requirements and Costs and Information for Applicants webpages for further information on the CASS.