Network Call for Applications – ICOM Academy Scientific Board 

The International Council of Museums (ICOM) is pleased to announce a Call for Applications for the ICOM Academy- Scientific Board. 

The ICOM Academy is an initiative of ICOM aimed at strengthening capacity building across the museum and heritage sectors. It serves as a global framework for developing and delivering accessible, multilingual, and locally relevant training opportunities for museum professionals worldwide. It will provide ICOM members with free, high-quality courses and resources developed by ICOM’s network of experts from International Committees, Regional Alliances, and institutional partners. 

The Scientific Board will serve as the strategic advisory body of the ICOM Academy, guiding the development of learning content and ensuring that the Academy’s programmes reflect the diversity, professionalism, and inclusivity of the global museum community. 

The Scientific Board shall be composed by a minimum of five (5) to a maximum of seven (7) ICOM members (collectively referred to as the “Scientific Board Members”). One (1) of these members will serve as Chair of the Scientific Board. 

The composition of the Scientific Board shall be guided by the following criteria: 

• Balance representation between museum professionals and academic experts (university professors, researchers, PhDs) with a strong background in e-learning; 

• Geographical diversity, with members from all ICOM regions; 

• Linguistic diversity, with proficiency in at least one of ICOM’s official languages (English, French, or Spanish); 

• Gender balance, in line with ICOM’s values and commitment to inclusivity; 

• Professional experience, with preference for candidates having five (5) to ten (10) years of relevant experience in museum work, capacity building and/or e-learning. To ensure alignment with contemporary practices, applicants must demonstrate active professional engagement in e-learning, education, or digital training. 

The Scientific Board will: 

• Define the academic direction of the ICOM Academy’s curriculum; 

• Approve educational themes, course structures, and pedagogical formats; 

• Select the ICOM experts that will be working on the content of the ICOM Academy courses, offering clear goals and direction to stakeholders; 

• Ensure that content reflects global diversity and professional standards; 

• Review annual achievements and establish priorities for future development; 

• Contribute to annual reports summarizing the Board’s activities and recommendations; 

• Formulate and submit recommendations to the ICOM Secretariat on prospective curriculum for consideration and potential implementation. 

• The Scientific Board will meet at least twice per year, primarily online. 

• Members are expected to actively contribute to the review of learning materials and to participate in discussions between meetings. 

• The working language of the Scientific Board shall be English 

• The mandate will run for three years (2026–2028), renewable once. 

Applicants must: 

• Be current ICOM members in good standing; 

• Have demonstrated experience in the museum, cultural heritage, and/or academic sectors;  

• Professional experience, with preference for candidates having 5 to 10 years of relevant experience in museum work, capacity building, and/or e-learning. To ensure alignment with contemporary practices, applicants must demonstrate active professional engagement in e-learning, education, or digital training within the past ten (10) years.  

• Possess expertise in e-learning, pedagogy, or professional training; 

• Be fluent in at least one of ICOM’s official languages (English, French, or Spanish). 

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application through the online form by 31 January 2026. 

Applications should include: 

• A completed application form; 

• A curriculum vitae; 

• A short biography; 

• A brief statement of motivation outlining their interest and potential contribution to the Academic Board. 

All applications will be reviewed by ICOM, taking into consideration the above-mentioned criteria to ensure fair and balanced representation. Selected candidates will be formally appointed by the ICOM Executive Board in June 2026. 

• Launch of the call: 14 November 2025 

• Deadline for applications: 31 January 2026 

• Evaluation and selection: February – May 2026 

• Announcement of selected members: June 2026 

For any questions related to this call, please contact the ICOM Academy team at:
📧 training@icom.museum 

We warmly encourage all ICOM members who are passionate about learning, collaboration, and innovation in the museum field to apply. By joining the Scientific Board, you will play a key role in shaping the vision and academic direction of the ICOM Academy — helping to build a global space for knowledge exchange and professional growth that empowers museum professionals everywhere. 

Apply here

Scientific Board Terms of Reference