Since 1984, Sweden has been a member of the Antarctic Treaty (AT) and takes responsibility for a number of commitments in organisations and treaties (CCMLR, SCAR, ATCM), which are coupled to Sweden's involvement in ocean and climate work. The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat promotes and coordinates Swedish research and development in the Polar regions. Since the research stations Svea and Wasa were built in 1987/88 and 1988/89, respectively, the Secretariat has supported Swedish research in Antarctica. The Secretariat seeks to increase the scope and interest in Swedish Polar research conducted in Antarctica. A special effort such as a call for thematic proposals focusing on Antarctica aligns with the need for increased knowledge and understanding of ongoing climate changes and corresponding consequences.

An open call at the beginning of 2023 resulted in received proposals for themes with a focus on Antarctica, which in turn led to two granted research themes that will be continuing until the year 2030. These research themes aim to attract collaboration across disciplinary boundaries and maintain Sweden's long-term commitment to the ongoing environmental and climate work in Antarctica.

The two research themes, a marine theme, "Pulse of the Wedell Sea", and a mainly terrestrial theme ", iQ2300", will be further developed in collaboration with the secretariat to implement several future field seasons starting in 2025/26.

• 9 September 2022
  The Secretariat decides on a call for thematic proposals for Antarctica.
  
• 16 January 2023
  Theme Antarctica Call opens with a focus on multi- and transdisciplinary research.
  
• 26 September 2023
  Decision to implement two theme proposals, PoW and iQ2300.
  
• January–March, 2024
  Project announcement within the respective research theme.
  
• 21–24 March, 2024
  Workshop with researchers in Abisko.
  
• Year 2025–2026 (preliminary)
  First field season in Antarctica.