We have an exciting opportunity for researchers, academics, PhD students and professional services staff at The University Of Sheffield to attend COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, as an official observer to witness international climate policy being made.
COP31 will take place from Monday 9th to Friday 20th November 2026.
As a member of the Research and Independent Non-Governmental Organizations (RINGO) constituency to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), The University of Sheffield has been allocated 2 In-Person Observer Badges and 10 Online Observer Badges for COP30. These are official observer places that permit attendance to all parts of the conference – both the official Blue Zone run by the UN for international delegates and observers as well as the public Green Zone.
The Grantham Centre will assign the badges in the following way:
- 2 in-person badges for week 1 of the conference
- 2 in-person badges for week 2 of the conference
- 10 online badges for both weeks of the conference
You are now invited to apply for a place. We encourage University of Sheffield colleagues from a diverse range of backgrounds and career stages to apply.
How to apply
To apply, please fill in this form outlining your case for attending COP31 by 5pm on Thursday 1st October. Applications submitted after this deadline will not be considered.
Please tell us how your research aligns with COP31, and how you would use the conference to expand your network, create new opportunities or publicise the work of the University.
You must also select the type of badge you are applying for (In-Person / Online) and make sure you have permission from your line manager / department head to attend, and sufficient budget.
What is involved if you get selected
The Grantham Centre will provide successful applicants with the appropriate attendance badge.
Please note: The successful applicants will need to pay for their travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. Your School will be responsible for booking your travel and accommodation and for processing your expenses.
The Grantham Centre will cover the travel, accommodation and subsistence costs for any Grantham Scholar (Grantham Centre PhD student), if selected.
In-person delegates must be available to attend between 9th - 20th November 2026. You can request to attend either week of the conference. You can find the COP31 thematic days here.
If you are chosen to be a delegate at COP31, you will be required to participate in any planned communication and publicity activity happening before, during or after the event.
Additional Information
Please make sure that you have approval of your line manager / Head of School to attend the conference before applying.
Please note that if you don’t have a UK passport, you are responsible for making sure that your study/work visa arrangements allow you to come in and out of the UK.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about the COP31 application process please contact the Grantham Centre at grantham@sheffield.ac.uk.