The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat is a government agency that promotes and coordinates Swedish polar research. This includes to follow and plan research and development, as well as to organise and lead research expeditions to the Arctic and Antarctic regions. The Secretariat also works actively to improve environmental protection in the polar regions and dispenses permits according to the Swedish Antarctic Act. The Swedish Polar Research Secretariat follows and supports scientists from concept to publication, through research expeditions and other data collection, as well as making data available and communicating research findings. For research planning, the Secretariat co-operates with the Swedish Research Council.