INCDSB Arctic and Antarctic Research Department

ROICE

Romanian polar research programme connecting INCDSB scientists with King Sejong Antarctic Station fieldwork, climate and biodiversity evidence, and human adaptation studies.

EXPEDITION 2026

2014 department established to continue Romanian scientific work in the Arctic and Antarctica

5 Romanian Antarctic expeditions from ROICE 2015 through ROICE 2026

KOPRI field access through Korea Polar Research Institute infrastructure on King George Island

Vision

Polar science strengthens Romania’s environment and biodiversity research.

The Department for Arctic and Antarctic Research was created within the National Institute of Research and Development for Biological Sciences to extend Romanian research performance in polar regions.

Institutional focus Polar fieldwork, national research strategy, scientific results management, and international cooperation.

Mission

Investigate polar ecosystems and their response to climate change.

ROICE studies Arctic and Antarctic ecosystems, correlates polar findings with Romanian ecological systems, and examines human-body adaptation to extreme conditions.

Research scope Biodiversity, climate change, microbial adaptation, environmental monitoring, and human physiology.

Field Programme

Antarctic expeditions turn short field windows into durable scientific records.

At King Sejong Station, teams collect water, ice, snow, soil, sediment, guano, biofilm, microbial and physiological evidence for processing in Romania and partner laboratories.

Research continuity ROICE 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, and 2026 build one multi-year Antarctic record.

Research Tracks

One expedition, connected observations.

Polar Strategy

Participation in defining Romanian polar research strategy and national research planning.

Field Research

Research and development activity in the Arctic and Antarctica through organized expeditions.

National Platform

Scientific results management through a national database and bioinformatics expertise.

Expeditions

Organization of research expeditions in polar regions with international infrastructure partners.

Expedition Journal

ROICE 2026 returns Romanian research to King George Island.

Between 24 January and 14 February 2026, INCDSB and University of Bucharest researchers worked at King Sejong Antarctic Station on biodiversity, permafrost bioresources and risks, and adaptation of the human body to thermal stress.

Open the latest campaign archive