International Data Week (IDW) is organised jointly by three leading global data organisations:
CODATA advances global collaboration to improve the availability, usability, and stewardship of research data, promoting Open Science across disciplines.
Research Data Alliance (RDA) develops and implements community-driven infrastructure and best practices to enable open sharing and reuse of data worldwide.
World Data System (WDS) supports trusted scientific data repositories and services, advocating for accessible, high-quality, and reproducible research data.
TOGETHER, THESE FOUNDING ORGANISATIONS ARE INVITING PROPOSALS TO HOST THE SEVENTH EDITION OF IDW IN SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2029.
CONFERENCE OBJECTIVE:
The primary objective of the IDW conference is to bring together a large, representative portion of the global data community. Previous editions have been highly successful in fostering collaboration, innovation, and impact. As the global landscape evolves, the founding organisations seek local partners and venues that can help convey the excitement, mission, and urgency of these times in data science.
PAST AND UPCOMING EDITIONS:
Five editions have taken place to date, and one is scheduled and in preparation:
- IDW 2016, 11–17 September 2016, Denver, Colorado, USA; attended by 840 data professionals and researchers from all disciplines and from across the globe.
- IDW 2018, 5–8 November 2018, Gaborone, Botswana; attended by more than 850 international data professionals and researchers.
- IDW 2022, 20-23 June 2022, Seoul, Republic of Korea; held as a hybrid conference allowing both in-person and virtual participation; attended by 827 participants from 50 countries; 182 attended onsite and 645 online.
- IDW 2023, 23–26 October 2023, Salzburg, Austria; held as a hybrid conference; attended by 834 delegates from 48 countries; 702 attendees onsite and 132 online.
- IDW 2025, 13-16 October 2025, Brisbane, Australia; held as a hybrid conference; attended by 807 delegates from 75 countries; 704 attended onsite and 103 online.
The edition being prepared:
- IDW 2027, 20-23 September 2027, Cape Town, South Africa.
ENGAGEMENT:
International Data Week is a global and inclusive conference, dedicated to strengthening data communities worldwide. The founding organisations are keen to engage with cities and countries where IDW or related meetings have not previously been held. Applications from Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs) are strongly encouraged; proposals from the High Income Economies should show how they will work with the founding organisations to maximise participation from LMICs. Wherever the proposal comes from, it will be important to demonstrate how the partnership will advance the missions of the founding organisations, ensure the impact of IDW, and enhance membership of and engagement with the three organisations.
Applications should demonstrate that local hosts have access to both a suitable physical venue and a virtual conference platform; strong support from local organisations and government; good connections to universities, industry, and research organisations in the country and region; and solid financial support.
CONFERENCE FORMAT:
IDW 2029 is envisioned as a four-day conference that integrates the activities of a SciDataCon international conference and an RDA Plenary Meeting. IDW includes both research sessions and focused working meetings, as well as broad plenary sessions of general interest. The days before and after each conference will be set aside for the business and governance meetings of CODATA, RDA, and WDS, as well as potentially other co-located meetings.
While the primary purpose of the call for applications is to identify a host for the 2029 edition, applications received may also be considered for the 2031 edition.
APPLICATION PROCESS & DEADLINE
Applications should be sent by email to all of the IDW founding organisation representatives listed below, no later than 2 November 2026, in electronic format following the requirements of and template included in the IDW2029 Call for Applications document.
Applications should be addressed to all three contacts below:
- Simon Hodson, CODATA Executive Director, at simon[at]codata.org
- Hilary Hanahoe, RDA Secretary General, at hilary.hanahoe[at]rda-foundation.org
- Meredith Goins, WDS Executive Director, at wds-ipo[at]utk.edu