Logistics Support Request

Many New Zealand researchers conducting research in Antarctica pass through New Zealand’s Scott Base and are provided logistical support for their operations by Antarctica New Zealand. This support includes, but is not limited to, flights to/from Antarctica, accommodation, field safety and skills training, on-ice transportation, field camp materials and access to a wide range of Antarctic-specific expertise. It also includes coordination with other national Antarctic programmes.

If you hope to do research based at or through Scott Base, please reach out to our Science Planning Lead, Rebecca Batchelor, as soon as possible in your planning process before you submit your research proposal. Early connection with our experienced team can help you understand possibilities and limitations of our support, plan safe field work, and help you build a strong, supportable proposal.

Our logistics support request process requires events to submit a logistics support request (LSR) no later than 1 July of the year before your intended field work (i.e. 1 July, 2026 for work commencing in the 2027/2028 field season).

All LSRs are evaluated for supportability within the context of resource availability, funding and national priorities, environmental considerations, and other events and commitments. Submitting an LSR is not a guarantee of support, and LSRs may be submitted for proposed work that has not yet been awarded funding, to meet this deadline.

If you hope to do research at another Antarctic Station, on a Vessel, or on behalf of others, please contact Senior Science Programme Advisor Esme Robinson to discuss your plans. We are very supportive of New Zealand scientists conducting research with international collaborators and are able to help facilitate a range of activities. Even if our support is not directly required, accounting for all New Zealand’s Antarctic research is part of our mandate.

Any research that will occur in Antarctica must be discussed with New Zealand’s National Antarctic Programme, Antarctica New Zealand, regardless of funding source or logistics provider.

This budget information is provided to assist with your research grant application planning. Please note the following are a guide only, it is recommended that costs are discussed with our Science Planning Lead, Rebecca Batchelor, in advance of budget submission.

In most cases Antarctica New Zealand will provide:

• Flights to and from Antarctica for team personnel and cargo (usually from Christchurch, however there are rare occasions when a team may travel to Antarctica from an alternative departure point).

• Antarctic clothing.

• Accommodation at Scott Base as per the agreed deployment plan.

• Transport to field sites in Antarctica.

• Cargo transport to Antarctica. In the first instance, heavy/bulky cargo should be transported by ship to reduce carbon footprint.

• Field food, fuel, tents etc.

• Sample return from Antarctica to Christchurch.

All applicants are required to pay for:

• A pre-deployment medical and dental examination for every team member travelling to Antarctica. The requirements for these examinations, and associated cost, vary depending on field location, duration of visit and other factors. Please discuss with the Antarctica New Zealand Science Planning Lead.

• Transport to and from Christchurch for your whole team (note there are rare occasions when a team may travel to Antarctica from an alternative departure point). Delayed departure / arrival from Antarctica may result in additional costs and should be planned for.

• Cargo delivery to Christchurch pre-deployment, and from Christchurch to home destination post-deployment (including sample return).

• Accommodation and meals in Christchurch (note flight delays for travel to Antarctica are very common, so assume changes in deployment dates when preparing your budget).

• $130 per person daily charge, for every member of your team, for every day they are in Antarctica (note delays for return flights from Antarctica are very common, so assume changes in return dates when preparing your budget).

Some applicants will also be required to pay for:

• Pre-deployment training for your team e.g. for work on glaciated terrain.
• On-ice field safety personnel to join your field party.
• Specialised imagery for some field locations.

• In cases of extensive logistic support and in support of internationally funded research, we may require some logistics cost recovery. This should be discussed before proposals are submitted.