Call for Bids to host the International Coordination Office

The Executive Committee of the 5th International Polar Year 2032-33 (IPY-5) is now accepting bids to host and sponsor the International Coordination Office for the planning and implementation of the IPY-5. The operational period of the Coordination Office is expected to be from early 2027 until at least the end of 2035. 

The bidding process will include the following deadlines:  

• 6 February 2026 at 18:00 GMT: Deadline to submit short Expressions of Interest letters (max. 2 pages).

• After a review of the expressions of interest, the IPY-5 Executive Committee will contact the shortlisted bids to invite them to submit full bids by no later than 31 May 2026. Detailed instructions for the full bids will be sent to the shortlisted bids by no later than early March 2026.

Bids are accepted from: 

• Individual institutions or organisations 

• consortia of multiple institutions or organisations in one or more countries

Bids must be from institutions / organisations in countries that have an existing active Arctic and / or Antarctic research programme.

Please see the memberships of the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) and the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) for examples of countries with active Arctic and / or Antarctic research programmes.

Institutions / organisations from countries not members of either IASC or SCAR may also apply if they can show an existing active Arctic and / or Antarctic research program or are providing a joint bid with a country that does.