The International Conferences on Arctic Research Planning (ICARPs) are decadal international Arctic research planning processes organised by the International Arctic Science Committee (IASC) in cooperation with its partners every 10 years since 1995.

In the lead up to its 35th anniversary in 2025, IASC is coordinating the Fourth Internaitonal Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP IV) from 2022 to 2026, in cooperation with several international partners, in a community-wide undertaking that engages Arctic researchers, Indigenous Peoples, policy makers, residents and stakeholders from around the world to: 

• consider the most urgent needs and priorities for Arctic research for the next decade until 2035
• Develop recommendations to implement these prioritiess.

The results of the ICARP IV process will be available in spring 2026 and will contribute to the Arctic research planning for the 5th International Polar Year in 2032-33. 

 Phases of the ICARP IV Process (2022 - 2026): 

Phase 1 - Preparing for ICARP IV (2022): 

Preparation for the ICARP IV Process started in 2022: 

• ICARP IV International Steering Committee formed with representatives of the ICARP IV partners organisations
• ICARP IV Summit Host Committees formed.

Phase 2 - Seeking Community Input (2023 and extended into 2024): 

The focus of Phase 2 were community engagement activities that encouraged anyone within the Arctic research community to hold e.g. workshops, town hall meetings, community listening sessions, talking circles, webinars, surveys to contribute to and inform the ICARP IV process. Individuals of all career stages, groups, networks, institutions and organisations are encouraged to contribute to the ICARP IV engagement process by:

• Participating in one of the ICARP IV engagement events throughout the year
• Seeking endorsement for organising their own activity (in-person and online) (e.g. workshops, sessions at conferences, sharing circles, webinars etc.)
• Participating in the ICARP IV Survey
• Submitting ICARP IV relevant resources or outcomes from research projects

Phase 3 - Defining Research Priorities (2024)

At the start of phase 3 in early 2024, seven ICARP IV Research Priority Teams (RPTs) were created after an open nomination process that currently include 209 members from 28 countries: 

• RPT 1: The Role of the Arctic in the Global System
• RPT 2: Observing, Reconstructing, and Predicting Future Climate Dynamics and Ecosystem Responses
• RPT 3: Understanding the dynamics and resilience of Arctic social-ecological systems to foster sustainable futures
• RPT 4: Arctic Research Cooperation and Diplomacy
• RPT 5: Co-Production and Indigenous-led methodologies
• RPT 6: Education and knowledge-sharing in and about the Arctic: Research and Practice
• RPT 7: Technology, Infrastructure, Logistics, and Services

These teams are tasked to review and analyse the community input, define the needs and priorities for ARctic research for their topic area based on the input collected, and develop recommendations for the implementation of the identified priorities (including potential new alliances and collaborative partnerships needed to address them). 

An ICARP IV Indigenous Peoples' Coordination Group was set up in early 2024 as an informal body composed of Arctic Indigenous Peoples engaged in the ICARP IV Research Priority Teams (RPTs) and the ICARP IV International Steering Committee to assist in and ensure coordination of the efforts to Indigenize Arctic research. In addition, an Indigenous Co-Chair added to the ICARP IV International Steering Committee. 

Phase 4 - Consulting on Priorities (2025)

In Phase 4 the ICARP IV Summit with the theme “Arctic Research Planning for the Next Decade”will be held during the Arctic Science Summit Week (ASSW) 2025 in Boulder Colorado, USA from 21 - 28 March 2025. This is the summative event of the ICARP IV process will engage Arctic researchers, Indigenous Peoples, policymakers, and other interested parties from around the world, providing among others an opportunity to discuss and consult on the initial outcomes of the seven ICARP IV Research Priority Teams.

Phase 5 - Initiating Implementation (2026)

The results of the ICARP IV process will be presented at the Arctic Science Summit Week 2026 from 25 March - 1 April 2026 in Aarhus, Denmark and will contribute to the Arctic research planning for the 5th International Polar Year in 2032-33.