The International Archives Congress – ICA Barcelona 2025 has announced two grant schemes for participation in the Congress, which will take place from 27–30 October 2025 at the Barcelona International Convention Centre (CCIB). These grants aim to support professionals from developing countries and Francophone contexts, encouraging global knowledge exchange and capacity building in documentary heritage management.
Call for Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), and Developing Economies
The first call is exclusively open to applicants from SIDS, LDCs, Developing Economies (excluding high-income countries), and Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations (FCS).
Applicant Profile
Applicants must work in organisations, projects, or initiatives related to the management, preservation, or accessibility of documentary heritage within an eligible country.
What does the grant cover?
Selected applicants will receive full coverage of Congress registration, round-trip airfare, accommodation for five nights, visa reimbursement (up to €100), and a total allowance of €150.
Included Activities
Grantees will take part in the Professional Programme of the Congress, which includes presentations, roundtables, joint lab sessions, lightning talks, and poster sessions. They are also expected to attend a knowledge-sharing forum and a workshop on documentary heritage in collaboration with UNESCO’s Memory of the World Programme, and to submit a follow-up report on their experience.
Selection Criteria
● Relevance of the Congress to the applicant’s professional trajectory
● Gender balance
● Equitable representation of eligible countries and territories
● Quality and impact of the proposed post-Congress knowledge transfer activities
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the application form, available in English, French, and Spanish, via the link below. ICA membership is not required.
Call for Developing Francophone Countries and Territories
The second grant, supported by the French Ministry of Culture, targets ICA members or staff from ICA member institutions working in developing Francophone countries and territories, as listed by the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.
Applicant Profile
Applications are open to individual ICA members or staff of ICA member institutions who:
● are up-to-date with their ICA membership dues.
● are currently working in organisations, projects or initiatives in the field of archives or information services.
● use French as their working language in a developing Francophone country or territory.
What does the grant cover?
The grant includes Congress registration, return airfare, accommodation for four nights, visa reimbursement (up to €100), and a total allowance of €150.
Included Activities
Grantees will take part in the Congress’ Professional Programme, including presentations, roundtables and poster sessions. They must also commit to organising outreach or training activities in their home country to share the knowledge acquired.
Selection Criteria
● Alignment of the Congress with the applicant’s professional development
● Gender balance
● Equitable representation of eligible Francophone countries
● Potential impact of the proposed post-Congress knowledge-sharing activities
How to Apply
Applicants must complete the application form, available in French only, via the link below. ICA membership status must be verified in the applicant’s profile before submitting.
A Professional Development Opportunity
The deadline for both calls is Sunday 6 July 2025 at 23:59 CET (Paris time).
These calls reflect International Archives Congress’s ongoing commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion in the global archives field. Grantees will not only have the chance to attend a major international event but also to contribute to the development of their local communities through knowledge transfer.
For questions related to the first call, email training@ica.org. For queries from Francophone countries, email programme@ica.org.
