The International Science Council (ISC) has announced new opportunities for members and partners to actively engage in the planning phase of the Fifth International Polar Year (IPY‑5), scheduled for 2032–33. Building on a 150‑year tradition of international collaboration in polar science, IPY‑5 aims to deliver transformative advances in knowledge and global impact.
The planning phase, running from 2021 to 2026, is co‑led by ISC in partnership with the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC), and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Together, these organizations are shaping the vision, priorities, and structures that will guide IPY‑5.
ISC is inviting institutions to participate in several ways: completing an engagement survey to share expertise and planned activities, applying to join the IPY Planning Group, and contributing to task groups focused on Indigenous leadership, funder involvement, and early career coordination. These opportunities are designed to ensure that IPY‑5 reflects diverse perspectives and mobilizes the global scientific community.
“IPY‑5 will be a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to achieve step changes in polar knowledge, strengthen science systems, and deliver societal and policy impacts worldwide.”
Polar changes are among the most urgent climate challenges of our time. Melting ice sheets and glaciers contribute to sea level rise, while shifts in polar ecosystems affect biodiversity and global weather patterns. By engaging in IPY‑5, institutions can help generate the evidence base needed for climate resilience, adaptation strategies, and informed policymaking.
The ISC emphasized that participation is open to organizations with international or regional scope, a focus on polar research, and a commitment to long‑term collaboration. Early career scientists are particularly encouraged to join, ensuring that the next generation of researchers is central to IPY‑5’s legacy.
