VISTA

The VISTA Conference is the International Paralympic Committee's (IPC) premier scientific gathering, advancing the IPC's mission by providing a global platform for interdisciplinary knowledge exchange in Para sportz.

First held in 1993, VISTA was created to address the limited body of scientific research on elite sport for athletes with an impairment. Since then, it has grown into a leading forum for sharing cutting edge research, insights and practical expertise in support of the Paralympic Movement. By uniting experts in sport science, classification, medicine, coaching, athlete support and sport administration, VISTA fosters meaningful dialogue and collaboration across all areas of Para sport.

CALL FOR BIDS FOR VISTA 2027 & VISTA 2029

The VISTA bid document outlines the terms of reference and key hosting requirements. Organisations interested in hosting VISTA 2027 or VISTA 2029 must complete and submit this Expression of Interest (EOI) form. Organisations which have submitted their EOI before 6 February 2026 will receive details about an informational webinar regarding hosting requirements, to be held on 11 February 2026. Bids for both editions must be received by 30 April 2026.

VISTA 2025 CANCELLED

Due to unforeseen operational challenges, the 11th edition of the IPC’s scientific conference VISTA 2025 scheduled for 7-10 December in Cairo, Egypt, has been cancelled by the Local Organising Committee (LOC).

For several months now, the LOC has been planning and preparing to host the IPC’s scientific conference for the first-time in Africa. More than 80 presenters were scheduled to present oral and poster sessions at VISTA 2025 on the conference theme "Developing Para Sport: Inclusion, Transformation, Health and Performance".

However, despite several months of planning and preparation, critical elements required to safely and effectively deliver the conference could not be resolved. These challenges have made it impossible to proceed at an acceptable standard, and the event has unfortunately needed to be cancelled at late notice.

Due to the cancellation, the LOC will now begin the process of refunding all those who had registered to attend the event.

VISTA 2025 Refund Information & FAQ

Download the refund request form and the Frequently Asked Questions for details on the VISTA 2025 cancellation and the refund process.

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS

The VISTA Conference programme includes:

• Keynote lectures by world-leading scholars and practitioners
• Invited symposia on emerging topics and innovations in Para sport
• Peer-reviewed oral and poster presentations
• Presentation of the IPC Scientific Award
• Networking sessions

Together, these elements support evidence-informed practice to enhance athlete well-being, performance and inclusion in sport for persons with disabilities.

Global Legacy

Since its debut, VISTA has been hosted in countries around the world, including:

• Germany (1999, 2006, 2011, 2013)
• Sweden (2003)
• Spain (2015)
• Canada (2017)
• The Netherlands (2019)

The 2021 edition was held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, while the 2023 edition was postponed until 2025.

IPC Scientific Award

The IPC Scientific Award, first presented at VISTA 2005, honours outstanding research and development contributions to sport for persons with disabilities.

The IPC Scientific Award will recognise individuals who:

• Made significant contributions to Para sport research or development
• Received national or international recognition
• Emphasise practical application benefit in Para sport and the Paralympic Movement.

The IPC will present the highly prestigious IPC Scientific Award during the IPC VISTA Conference.

The recipient will be announced at VISTA and invited to deliver a keynote address.

Nominations Process

Nominations may be submitted by:

• IPC Members
• Members of the IPC Governing Board or Athletes' Council
• Academic, scientific and technical communities outside the IPC

Note: Current Governing Board, Committee and Athletes' Council members cannot be nominated during the period of their mandate.

Nominations may be submitted here for the 2025 IPC Scientific Award.

• List of previous recipients and their awarded projects
• Award selection criteria (IPC Handbook Article 4.6.3)