International Union of Crystallography

Triennial Congresses

The triennial congresses of the IUCr are the major international scientific meetings for crystallographers world wide. Each congress includes one or more sessions of the General Assembly which approves the policies of the Union.

The next Congress will be the 27th and will be held in Calgary, Canada, 11–18 August 2026.

It is the policy of the IUCr that strong emphasis should be given to provide a programme that is balanced with respect to gender and nationality.   

Call for Applications: Host the IUCr Congress and General Assembly 2032

The International Union of Crystallography (IUCr) invites expressions of interest from organisations wishing to host the IUCr Congress and General Assembly in 2032.

The IUCr Congress is the leading global event in structural science, bringing together researchers from across crystallography, materials science, chemistry, biology, and physics. Held every three years, the Congress provides a central forum for scientific exchange, collaboration, and the advancement of structural science worldwide.

Who can apply

Bids are typically submitted by, or on behalf of:
  • National Committees for Crystallography
  • Recognised crystallographic organisations or consortia

Application deadline

8 May 2026

What to include in a bid

Proposals should outline key elements of the planned Congress, including:
  • Proposed host city, venue(s), and dates
  • Local organising structure and governance
  • Conference facilities, accessibility, and infrastructure
  • Accommodation and transport options
  • Financial framework and institutional support
  • Strength of the local and regional structural science community
Bids should also demonstrate the potential scientific impact and long-term legacy of hosting the Congress.

Submission process

Expressions of interest and completed bids should be submitted to the IUCr Secretariat at:


Bids will be reviewed by the IUCr Executive Committee and presented to the General Assembly, which determines the host location.

Why host the IUCr Congress

Hosting the IUCr Congress provides a unique opportunity to:
  • Showcase regional excellence in structural science
  • Strengthen international collaboration
  • Support the development of the next generation of scientists
  • Enhance the visibility and impact of crystallography and related disciplines

Further information

Detailed guidance on preparing a bid, including recommended structure and supporting materials, is available here.


Travel Support for Senior Scientists from President's Fund

One of the most common uses of the IUCr President's Fund is to provide funds to assist financially disadvantaged crystallographers to attend IUCr Congresses. These funds are not used for student travel because the Sub-Committee on the Union Calendar provides support for this. The President's Fund is primarily intended to support senior scientists from developing countries to attend IUCr Congresses. Any exceptional consideration must demonstrably advance the Fund’s developmental mission and shall not alter its primary focus on senior scientists from developing countries.

Applications to the President Fund for the 2026 Congress are now closed

* There are no restrictions with regard to gender or country of origin of the applicant (although it must be a developing country). Available funds are limited so not all requests can be honoured; awards will reflect a balance of regional and gender distribution.

* Applications should be submitted to the CEO at least five months before the date of the meeting.

* Application forms should be accompanied by letters of support from the appropriate Regional Associate and/or National Committee for Crystallography (if applicant's country is a member of the IUCr).

* Awards will not be made to the same individual for two consecutive Congresses. 

* In exceptional circumstances, the Selection Committee may consider individual cases that demonstrably align with the Fund’s developmental objectives, subject to available resources.