The 34th General Assembly held in October 2025 approved the creation of a new type of internal structure, Standing Committees (SCs). Standing Committees can be of two types: under Commissions and under Vice Presidents at Large. The GA can create new SCs as needed, assigning them a mission/mandate. This mission/mandate will be reviewed as the work of the Committee evolves in time. The Executive Council will determine the budgetary allocation for each Standing Committee.
Standing Committees under Commissions
Standing Committees under Commissions have direct links with one or more IUPAP Commissions. The Chair of one such Commission should serve in an ex-officio capacity within the relevant structures of the Standing Committee and be kept informed of its decisions; the Chair may, at their discretion, designate a Commission member to act as the interface with the Standing Committee. Standing Committees under Commissions constitute a platform for the discussion at a global scale among the leading actors in the field they cover. The organization, composition and terms of reference of these Committees are defined by each of them in consultation with the Commission(s) whose Chair(s) is serving on some of their internal structures. The structure and terms of references must be submitted together with a recommendation of the corresponding Commission Chair for the approval by the IUPAP Executive Council before entering into effect. Any changes to the Committees structure or Terms of Reference must follow these steps before entering into effect as well. Standing Committees under Commissions shall provide written reports to each General Assembly and to the Executive Council meeting immediately preceding each General Assembly.
The current IUPAP Standing Committees under Commissions are:
- International Committee on Future Accelerators, ICFA
- International Committee on Ultrahigh Intensity Lasers, ICUIL
- International Cooperation in Nuclear Physics, ICNP
- Gravitational Wave International Committee, GWIC
- Standing Committee on Major Neutron Research Facilities.
Standing Committees under Vice-Presidents at Large
Standing Committees under Vice-Presidents at Large can have different purposes depending on their nature. All of them should include in their mandate to give advice to the Executive Council in their area of expertise. Their composition will be decided by the Executive Council in consultation with the corresponding Vice President at Large. The Vice President at Large acts as Chair of the Committee, is responsible for liaising between the Executive Council and the Committee and for submitting the Committee’s written report to each General Assembly and to the Executive Council meeting immediately preceding each General Assembly.
The current IUPAP Standing Committees under Vice-Presidents at Large are:
- Standing Committee on Membership and Development
- Standing Committee on Physics outside Academia
- Standing Committee on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion
- Standing Committee on Ethics and Collegiality
