Official Announcement: 2021 International ArtScience Olympiad (IASO) Further Postponed Due to Ongoing Global COVID-19 Challenges

PUBLISHED: JUN 25, 2021, 5:25 PM

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To All Relevant Entities, IASO Participants, Instructors, and Stakeholders Worldwide,

One year after the initial postponement of the 2020 International ArtScience Olympiad (IASO), also known as the International Olympiad ArtScience Contest (IOASC), amid the global COVID-19 outbreak, the IASO Organizing Committee now faces a continuously complex pandemic landscape. The rapid spread of COVID-19 variants – including the highly transmissible Delta variant, which has become dominant in over 100 countries – has posed new and severe challenges to international pandemic control. In unwavering commitment to safeguarding the life, safety, and health of all participants, and in strict adherence to global public health and epidemic prevention guidelines, the Committee has made a prudent decision following weeks of comprehensive assessment and consultations with global partners. We hereby issue the following official announcement:

The 2021 IASO, originally rescheduled to take place in the United States from July 18 to 22, 2021, will be further postponed to a future edition. The specific date of the next IASO will not be finalized until a holistic evaluation of three critical factors: the global trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic (including variant spread and infection rates), updates to international travel restrictions (particularly cross-border mobility rules for minors and academic delegations), and the progress of global COVID-19 vaccination campaigns (with a focus on coverage rates among participating age groups).

As of mid-June 2021, the global cumulative number of confirmed COVID-19 cases has exceeded 170 million, with daily new cases surging by over 500,000 in early June – a 30% increase compared to April 2021. Over 80% of participating countries have reimposed or tightened cross-border travel restrictions: for example, 12 countries now require 14-day mandatory quarantine for incoming travelers (even with vaccination certificates), 5 countries have suspended tourist visas for non-residents, and 3 countries have placed limits on minor travelers unaccompanied by family members. For the 156 registered contestants, this means significant uncertainty about travel eligibility, potential quarantine costs, and health risks associated with long-haul flights.

Furthermore, key components of the 2021 IASO – including the in-person International Olympiad ArtScience Exhibition and the 3-day collaborative research workshop for contestants – involve large-scale gatherings that cannot be safely managed amid rising variant transmission. Even with enhanced measures (such as reduced venue capacity or outdoor spaces), public health experts consulted by us have warned that the risk of virus spread in such settings remains unacceptably high, especially given the diverse vaccination statuses and age demographics of participants.

While this second postponement is deeply disappointing for the global IASO community, we remain committed to preserving the integrity and value of the Olympiad. In the interim, we will launch a monthly cross-border webinar series featuring scientists, artists, and past IASO winners, focused on themes like "Science-Art Collaboration in a Post-Pandemic World" – open to all registered participants and educators.

We extend our deepest gratitude to all contestants, instructors, and partners for their patience and understanding during this unprecedented period. We recognize the time, effort, and creativity invested by young talents in preparing their entries, and we are committed to ensuring their work receives global recognition through our virtual initiatives.

We firmly believe that global solidarity will eventually overcome the pandemic. The Committee will continue to monitor global developments closely and provide quarterly updates on the next IASO edition via our official website (www.iosac.org) and direct communications to participating institutions.

IASO Organizing Committee

June 25, 2021