The Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) is an international and interdisciplinary organization for early career researchers with interests in the polar and alpine regions and the wider cryosphere. APECS fosters collaborations and exchange among its 5800+ members worldwide and serves as a critical link between polar research institutions and initiatives and the early career community. The APECS International Directorate is currently hosted by UiT The Arctic University of Norway, the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Fram Centre through the end of 2026.
APECS is seeking a primary host institution or consortium for its International Directorate (including the Executive Director and supporting staff) from January 2027.
In addition, institutions or consortia are invited to submit bids to:
- host a satellite office of the International Directorate, increasing and diversifying the activities of APECS through additional staffing capacity
- sponsor activities organized by the International Directorate that directly benefit the polar early career community.
By hosting the APECS International Directorate, your institution ensures support for the next generation of polar stewards. APECS’ network includes 32 National Committees and 5800+ members around the world. The APECS International Directorate helps boost the reputation and international profile of its hosts, in part due to APECS’ role in international polar research coordination processes and longstanding relationships with organizations like SCAR and IASC. APECS is part of the International Polar Year (IPY) 2032-2033 Planning Group and foresees an increase in projects and engagement opportunities as we approach the IPY itself. In addition to other ongoing collaborations, APECS is currently involved in three large EU-funded projects and is regularly asked to participate in additional, externally-funded projects. These projects increase APECS’ activities and build relationships between APECS, its host(s) and consortium partners. APECS benefits from being colocated with other polar research entities, as synergies with our host(s) and local stakeholders results in a vibrant collaboration network. APECS welcomes and encourages potential linkages between its hosting arrangement and the IPY-5 International Coordination Office, for which a host selection process is also currently underway.
Call process:
- Indication of interest and preliminary conversations - Potential hosts/sponsors must contact the APECS International Directorate with a non-binding statement of interest by 14 December 2025. Interested parties are encouraged to schedule informal interest conversations with the APECS International Directorate (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) between the release of this call in October and the final bid deadline in February. The conversations can help inform a final proposal and clarify requirements and expectations.
- Submission of bids - Hosting / sponsorship bids must be submitted to the APECS International Directorate (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 15 February 2026.
- Follow-up discussions and negotiations - March-April 2025
- Hosting and sponsorship decision - to be made in May or June 2025
- Announcement of the next hosting and sponsorship period - to be made in mid-2026 at an agreed upon occasion (e.g. a polar event or conference)
Submission of interest statements: Non-binding interest statements should be sent as a PDF file to the APECS International Directorate (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 14 December 2025. You are welcome to use and modify this template.
Submission of bids: Bids should be sent as a PDF file to the APECS International Directorate (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) by 15 February 2026. A detailed list of required documents is included in the information package for interested parties.
Contents of the information package for interested parties:
- Overview of APECS’ structure, activities and International Directorate
- Requested support from an APECS International Directorate host institution or consortium
- Detailed guidelines for proposals to host the APECS International Directorate, a satellite office, or sponsor activities
- Evaluation criteria for bids
While APECS is open to considering a variety of hosting and sponsorship arrangements, we do require commitment to a specific level of resources. APECS is seeking a host for at least 4 years, and preferably 5+ years. Based on the steady expansion of APECS’ network and frequent requests to collaborate, the International Directorate needs the equivalent of three full-time positions (including the Executive Director) to operate sustainably and support the needs of the polar early career community. It is particularly important for APECS to have hosting stability leading up to and spanning the upcoming International Polar Year 2032-2033, and we encourage hosts to take this into consideration in their long-term planning.
If you have any questions, please contact the APECS International Directorate at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
