Understanding Polar Change for Malaysia’s Resilient Future
Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM) invites YPASM Smart Partnership researchers to submit research proposals under the YPASM Call for Proposals 2027 (CFP2027), themed “Understanding Polar Change for Malaysia’s Resilient Future.”
Antarctic and Southern Ocean research contributes to a broader understanding of the Earth system, including climate processes, ocean circulation, ecosystems and environmental change. Understanding these processes can strengthen scientific knowledge and help identify potential implications for Malaysia and the wider Southeast Asian region.
Through strategic research funding, partnerships and international collaboration, YPASM aims to strengthen Malaysia’s scientific capabilities, contribute to global polar research, and support the development of knowledge relevant to the country’s long-term resilience and strategic interests in Antarctic affairs.
CFP2027 seeks to support a balanced portfolio of fundamental and applied research. Applicants are encouraged to articulate the scientific significance of their proposed work and its potential relevance to Malaysia. Expected contributions may include advancing Antarctic and Southern Ocean knowledge, strengthening national research capabilities, informing policy or laying the groundwork for future practical applications. The nature and timeframe of expected outcomes should be appropriate to the research objectives and scope.
Research Priority Areas
CFP2027 is organised around four Research Priority Areas:
- Polar–Tropical Earth System Connections
Research examining Antarctic and Southern Ocean processes and their interactions with the wider Earth system, including potential connections with tropical and Southeast Asian climate and environmental systems.
Potential topics include:
- Southern Ocean circulation and Antarctic atmosphere–ocean interactions.
- Sea-ice variability and climate processes.
- Atmospheric and oceanic teleconnections between polar and tropical regions.
- Antarctic–tropical climate linkages and potential relationships with monsoon variability.
- Extreme weather and climate events.
- Climate modelling, prediction and Earth system feedbacks.
- Antarctica, Sea-Level Change & Malaysian Resilience
Research investigating Antarctic contributions to global sea-level change and the potential implications of a changing climate for Malaysia’s coastal and terrestrial systems.
Potential topics include:
- Changes in Antarctic ice sheets, glaciers and ice shelves.
- Antarctic contributions to global and regional sea-level change.
- Sea-level projections, modelling and uncertainty.
- Potential implications of sea-level rise and extreme events for coastal inundation and vulnerability.
- Saline intrusion and implications for coastal agriculture and food production.
- Fisheries, coastal livelihoods, infrastructure and settlements.
- Adaptation strategies and resilience planning.
Proposals addressing Malaysian or regional impacts should establish a scientifically credible connection to Antarctic or Southern Ocean processes, where relevant.
- Southern Ocean, Ecosystems & Planetary Health
Research investigating Southern Ocean and Antarctic biodiversity, ecosystem functioning and responses to environmental change, including potential relevance to wider marine systems and planetary health.
Potential topics include:
- Antarctic and Southern Ocean biodiversity, ecology and adaptation.
- Microbial communities, biotechnology and biological processes in extreme environments.
- Food webs, biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functioning.
- Ecosystem responses to changes in sea ice, ocean conditions and climate.
- Marine resources, environmental change and ecosystem health.
- Connections between polar ecosystem research and broader environmental or biological questions.
- Antarctic Futures: Technology, Knowledge, Policy & Society
Research strengthening the knowledge, technologies, governance understanding and societal capabilities needed for Malaysia’s meaningful participation in Antarctic research and international cooperation.
Potential topics include:
- Polar technology, engineering and innovation for extreme environments.
- Remote sensing, instrumentation, data science, modelling and artificial intelligence.
- Sustainable energy and field technologies for polar research.
- Antarctic governance, law, science diplomacy and the Antarctic Treaty System.
- Malaysia’s national readiness and strategic participation in Antarctic affairs.
- Education, public understanding, science communication and societal dimensions of polar research.
- International partnerships, research capacity and regional collaboration.
Cross-Cutting Considerations
All proposals must demonstrate meaningful international and/or interdisciplinary collaboration, appropriate to the nature and objectives of the proposed research. Applicants should explain how the collaboration will strengthen the research design, expertise, methodology, scientific outcomes or knowledge exchange.
In addition, applicants are encouraged to consider the following, where relevant:
- Malaysia–Antarctica connections: Establishing the scientific significance and potential relevance of the research to Malaysia.
- Innovation and research translation: Identifying plausible pathways for research findings, methods or technologies to inform future applications.
- IPY5 2032–2033: Considering opportunities to contribute to the next International Polar Year and related international research efforts.
- Regional relevance: Identifying potential contributions to scientific understanding or resilience in neighbouring countries and Southeast Asia.
The additional considerations are intended to strengthen proposals but are not mandatory requirements for every project.
Grant Categories and Funding
Polar Science & Technology Grant
Supports fundamental and applied research in Antarctic and Southern Ocean science, including life sciences, physical and climate sciences, engineering and technology, and interdisciplinary research.
- Funding limit: Up to RM150,000 per project.
- Project duration: Maximum 36 months.
Social Science & Policy Grant
Supports research in social sciences, policy, law, governance, diplomacy, education and other human dimensions relevant to Malaysia’s Antarctic research and strategic engagement.
- Funding limit: Up to RM75,000 per project.
- Project duration: Maximum 36 months.
- Awards are subject to research merit and appropriate budget justification.
YPASM Fellowship Scheme
Supports eligible researchers and postgraduate students undertaking approved polar-related research, training or research attachments in collaboration with local or international institutions.
- Funding limit: Up to RM50,000 per recipient.
- Support is subject to the scheme’s eligibility requirements and funding conditions.
Berth Support Scheme
Supports eligible Malaysian researchers participating in Antarctic expeditions organised by SCAR member countries, subject to YPASM requirements and host-country arrangements.
- Funding limit: Up to RM55,000 per researcher.
- Support is subject to eligibility, expedition arrangements and approval.
Submission Details
Application must be submitted online through the YPASM Research Support System (RSS).
Further Information
For any inquiries, kindly contact:
- Huda Faqihah
Executive, Science & Strategic Alliances
Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM)
huda [at] ypasm.my
