The German Research Vessel RV Maria S. Merian is named after the naturalist and illustrator Maria Sybilla Merian.

The Merian was financed by the German government and is assigned to the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research at Warnemünde, with Rostock as its home port. It is crewed by a complement of 21, and can additionally accommodate 22 scientists.

The ship entered service in 2006.