News for Polar Researchers in Sweden

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat to take over Kristineberg Marine Research Station

On 25 September 2025, the government decided to task the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat with preparing and carrying out the integration of the station into the agency by 1 January 2026 (U2025/01881).

– The decision to entrust the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat with responsibility for the Kristineberg Marine Research Station from 2026 is truly gratifying. This takeover will safeguard access to marine expertise and research infrastructure, thereby strengthening Swedish polar research, says Katarina Gårdfeldt, Director of the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.

Community evaluation: developing Kristineberg into a state-of-the-art polar marine research station

On behalf of the Kristineberg Center for Marine Research and
Innovation and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat, we invite you to give input on the needs of a modern marine station accommodating polar research.

Investigation regarding a new Swedish polar research vessel continues

The importance of acquiring a new polar research vessel is highlighted in the government’s 2026 budget. This means that the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat will continue planning efforts. We will also helpt ensure a clear and transparent financing model.

Nordic research and technology in the Arctic in focus at Expo 2025

As the world’s eyes turned to the Arctic, and to opening speaker HRH The Crown Princess, during Arctic Day at Expo 2025 in Osaka on 11 October, the Nordic countries showcased how research, innovation and cooperation can help address the challenges and opportunities brought by climate change and technological development.

Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic
10–11 November, Stockholm

Welcome to the second Forum for the Arctic and Antarctic. It aims to shape agendas for Arctic and Antarctic research in Sweden through dialogue between academia, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

The overarching theme is Raising the ambition of Swedish Polar Research. The programme will include highlights of ongoing and emerging Arctic and Antarctic research, and panels in which researchers, authorities and actors from civil society discuss future needs and avenues for polar research in Sweden. 

Date: 10-11 November, 2025

Venue: Naturhistoriska riksmuseet, Stora hörsalen

Organised by: Stockholm University (Host), Luleå University of Technology, Arctic Centre at Umeå University and the Swedish Polar Research Secretariat.

Registration is open until 24 October.

Polar Day at Linnaeus University 26 November, Kalmar

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat organises a Polar Day every year together with a Swedish university – this year with Linnaeus University in Kalmar. The aim is to highlight polar research at the host university and present current initiatives.

Organised by: Swedish Polar Research Secretariat and Linnaeus University

Date: Wednesday, 26 November 2025

Venue: Lapis, Linnaeus University, Kalmar

Time: 09:00–16:00 (registration opens at 08:30)

Icebreaker event, Tuesday 25 November, 19:00-21:00 at the Kalmar Maritime Academy, demonstration of the simulator.

Registration is open until 12 November.

Dialogue online meeting on Synchronous Observations in Antarctica InSync, 23 October

You are welcome to join a national information and dialogue meeting on the Antarctica Insync initiative

The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat has several operational projects during the coming field seasons. The meeting will focus on how Sweden can align with and benefit from the initiative, learn what other nations are doing, and define and prioritize the synchronous observations to be carried out.

Date and time: 23 October, 09.00-10.30.

Format: Online meeting

Ymer-80 Foundation scholarships for polar research

In March 2026, the Ymer-80 Foundation will award this year’s scholarships to promote polar research. The scholarships are primarily intended for early-career researchers conducting natural science research related to the Arctic and Antarctic. Provisionally, approximately SEK 150,000 is available for distribution.

Application deadline: 13 December 2025.

IASC Fellowship Program 2026

The International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), in cooperation with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2) and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), is launching the IASC Fellowships Program 2026.

The program aims to engage early career researchers in the work of the five IASC Working Groups (WGs):

• Atmosphere WG
• Cryosphere WG
• Marine WG
• Social & Human WG
• Terrestrial Terrestrial

Application deadline: 20 October 2025 at 18:00 GMT.

Strategic Recruitment of Associate Senior Lecturers

Will your university nominate a polar lecturer?
The purpose of the grant is to give the most promising junior researchers the opportunity to develop independence and to build scientific and teaching merits for employment as a senior lecturer. After evaluation, continued funding at senior lecturer level may be granted for up to five years. The grant will also reward mobility and recruitments of strategic relevance for the higher education institution (HEI). 

The number of nominations is distributed between Sweden's universities, and the university is responsible for its own internal nomination process.

Grant period: 5 years, with the possibility of a 5-year extension after evaluation.

Grant amount: 3 000 000 SEK per year

Start of grant period: July 2026

Application period: 14 January 2026 (14:00) – 17 February 2026 (14:00)

IRISCC - 2nd Open Call for Access is open

Opens: 29 September 2025
Closes: 28 November 2025
Scope: Climate Risks (no specific thematic focus)

This call will provide researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals with the opportunity to access top research infrastructure services and facilities addressing climate change-driven risks.