Bulgarians were members of Soviet Antarctic expeditions since 1960s.
Since the collapse of Communism Bulgaria intensified its research in Antarctica.
[1] The institute was established in 1993, and comprises several dozens individual members and few institutional ones: the Bulgarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski , Sofia Medical University, and the Atlantic Club of Bulgaria.
Founding Chairman of the institute is Christo Pimpirev.
[2] The Institute cooperates in Antarctic logistics and research projects with the Antarctic Programs of Spain, United Kingdom, Russia, Germany, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, South Korea etc.