Advancing Preperations for IPY-5: Call for Bids, National Committees, and Project Endorsement Process

 As preparations advance for the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY-5 2032-2033), the IPY-5 Interim Secretariat published two key calls and information about the project endorsement process from 2026 onwards. These milestones mark important steps toward establishing the structures that will guide the global IPY community in the coming years.

 Call for Bids to host the IPY-5 International Coordination Office

Expressions of interest are now open for institutions or consortia wishing to host the IPY-5 International Coordination Office (ICO). The ICO will be responsible for supporting coordination across national committees, endorsed projects, and the broader polar research community.
Deadline for submissions: 6 February 2026 at 18:00 GMT

Lear more about the bidding process here: Call for Bids - IPY-5 International Coordination Office

Call for IPY-5 National Committees

“The 5th International Polar Year (2032–33), or IPY-5, will be a large-scale multilateral coordinated action to address urgent global challenges by advancing polar research. Its success will depend on strong national contributions linked together through international cooperation.” – IPY-5 call for National Committees.

The IPY-5 Joint Committee invites countries to establish or renew their National Committees to coordinate IPY-related activities at the national level. National Committees will play a vital role in supporting international collaboration, outreach, and communication.

Learn more about national involvement and IPY-5 National Committees here: National Involvement

IPY-5 Project Endorsement Process

Starting in Spring 2026, IPY-5 will open the endorsement process for projects  that wish to contribute to IPY-5.

You can find more information about the endorsement process here Project Endorsements