YPASM 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐏𝐎𝐒𝐀𝐋𝐒 𝟐𝟎𝟐6 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝐏𝐎𝐋𝐀𝐑 𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇

𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐏𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒𝐇𝐈𝐏 𝐈𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐈𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐕𝐄

(𝐔𝐒𝐌 – 𝐔𝐊𝐌 – 𝐈𝐌𝐔 – 𝐔𝐌 – 𝐔𝐌𝐒 – 𝐔𝐢𝐓𝐌 – 𝐔𝐌𝐓- 𝐔𝐌𝐊 – 𝐔𝐌𝐏𝐒𝐀 – 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐄𝐍 – 𝐔𝐓M – UNISZA)

Yayasan Penyelidikan Antartika Sultan Mizan (YPASM) would like to call for proposals (Research Grant, Fellowship Scheme and Berth Support To Antarctica Through SCAR Member Countries 2026) under the Smart Partnership Initiative. The call for proposals only open to Malaysian researchers/ scientists from twelve participating Smart Partnership Initiative universities namely, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, IMU University, Universiti Malaya, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Universiti Tenaga Nasional, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia and Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin.

YPASM invites Malaysian researchers to submit proposals for the YPASM Call for Proposals 2026 (CFP2026) under the theme “From Ice to Impact: Advancing Science and Solutions for Malaysia’s Future.”

Through strategic funding, partnerships, and international collaboration, YPASM continues to strengthen Malaysia’s role in polar research and its connection to global sustainability challenges. Malaysia’s active participation in platforms such as the Asian Forum for Polar Sciences (AFoPS), Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), and the upcoming International Polar Year 5 (IPY5) underscores its growing leadership and commitment to the Antarctic cause.

As we aspire to discover new frontiers of knowledge, connect through interdisciplinary and international collaboration, and transform science into tangible benefits for society, the YPASM Call for Proposals 2026 (CFP2026) seeks to:

• Encourage Malaysian researchers to pursue impact-driven polar science with applications for Malaysia and the region, especially in addressing climate change and ice-melting impacts on communities and livelihoods.
• Strengthen collaboration under existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), SCAR initiatives and AFoPS frameworks.
• Support research that contributes to Malaysia’s readiness for Antarctic governance engagement and participation in the Antarctic Treaty System.
• Complement ongoing discussions towards IPY5 participation and international collaboration.
• Promote cross-disciplinary projects that connect the polar and tropical systems, particularly in climate science, engineering, and societal resilience.
• Leverage AI and digital innovation as cross-cutting tools for data-driven discovery, modelling, monitoring, and communication in polar research.

RESEARCH FOCUS AREAS

A. Life Sciences and Biotechnology

• Biodiversity, adaptation, and ecological resilience of Antarctic organisms.
• Biotechnology applications for health, pharmaceuticals, and industry.
• Microbial and ecosystem responses to extreme conditions and temperature variations.
• Food web and biogeochemical interactions under changing sea-ice dynamics.
• Linking biological processes to climate and ecosystem services relevant to Malaysia’s environmental and food security challenges.
  
  

B. Physical and Climate Sciences

• Cryosphere and atmospheric studies: ice-sheet dynamics, and polar–atmosphere interactions and their teleconnections to tropical climate variability.
• Paleoclimate and ice-core research: unlocking Antarctica’s climate history to inform future climate projections and resilience planning.
• Sea-level rise and polar–tropical linkages: modelling Antarctic melt impacts on Southeast Asia’s coasts, fisheries and livelihoods.
• Polar Technology & Engineering: Design and testing of materials, sensors, energy systems, and infrastructure (e.g., pipes, rubbers, polymers, insulation materials) for extreme environments including potential industry collaboration.
• Renewable energy and sustainable field technologies: energy-efficient systems for polar operations and adaptation to extreme environments.

• Data, Modelling & AI: Advanced simulations, data-driven predictions, and technology-enabled observations of the Antarctic environment and its impact pathways to Malaysia.
  
  

C. Policy & Social Science Research

• Governance and legal frameworks: pathways for Malaysia’s progression toward Consultative Party status under the Antarctic Treaty; assessing benefits, obligations, and readiness.
• Tourism & Environmental Impact: Assessment of the rising number of Malaysian tourists to Antarctica and the implications for environmental responsibility, awareness, and governance.
• National Readiness & Public Awareness: Evaluating Malaysia’s Antarctic policy framework, stakeholder coordination, and public understanding of polar conservation as well as polar-tropical linkages.
• Education & Outreach: Development of educational tools, exhibitions, and digital platforms to communicate Malaysia’s Antarctic engagement and translate research into impact.
• Ethics, Culture & Diplomacy: Exploring the human dimension of polar research, and how polar science informs Malaysia’s sustainability, climate, and foreign policy agendas.
  
  

YPASM will be organizing a briefing session which will include the priority areas and research theme for Call for Proposals 2026, highlights of tips and comments of panel reviewers and an overview of the online platform for YPASM Research Support System which will be used for submission of application. The details are as follows;

Date: 5 November 2025 (Wednesday)

Time: 10:00am – 12:00pm

Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89752797756?pwd=4dIdve0BVrjQnBoxAbVHJCXzdbhO6Z.1

Meeting ID: 897 5279 7756
Passcode: 370952

To attend this session, kindly fill in the registration form below; https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd03shwHdAbqeJXoKBZPMu4tE3sO22syT7sfQqL1sIFS5U7BA/viewform  

Alternatively, you may watch the session live via Youtube channel ,  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0l2ls2pL3BNOMH5BSxQpfQ/

 Please refer to YPASM website www.ypasm.my to know more about the initiative and how to apply. Kindly note that applications are open from 𝟏 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐5 – 𝟑𝟏 𝐉𝐚𝐧𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝟐𝟎𝟐6 and can only be submitted online via https://rssypasm.mysa.gov.my/

We highly appreciate if you could help to disseminate this information to your network.

For enquiries, please e-mail amanda@ypasm.my / intan@ypasm.my.