From January 2026 to January 2027, the Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA, Spain) in collaboration with the IOC Science and Communication Centre for Harmful Algae, Denmark will conduct a proficiency test on marine phytoplankton abundance and composition amongst laboratories.

The IPI proficiency testing scheme is open for participation to all relevant laboratories globally. This test is divided into two main competency areas and each participant must complete both in order to obtain the required certification:

1)     Taxonomy knowledge assessment: marine phytoplankton (HAB) taxonomy online quiz hosted by IOC’s Ocean Teacher Global Academy (OTGA)

2)     Sample Abundance and Composition: analysis of water samples sent to the participating laboratories comprising a number of Phytoplankton species which analysts must identify and enumerate.

Programme Schedule

Registration opens on 01.01.2026 and closes on 31.03.2026 [EXTENDED DEADLINE]
Samples sent to analysts + Taxonomy knowledge assessment (online HAB quiz in ‘Ocean Teacher’) opens: 01.06.2026
Deadline for submission of samples and online test results to lead laboratory: 01.09.2026
Intercalibration Report and Workshop: December 2026

Registration Package

The fee for the proficiency test in 2026 is 750 Euros per participant. Once registration has closed, participants will receive:

·       A set of instructions, forms and a counting/identification guide to complete the exercise

·       A set of samples couriered to each laboratory to be analysed by the participants.

·       Instructions on how to access the Phytoplankton taxonomy assessment (online HAB IPI quiz) in OceanTeacher to be completed by the analysts

Once analysts have completed their exercise and results have been sent back to the programme coordinator, the participants will receive:

·       A draft report including a table of provisional Z-scores.

·       An invitation to a 3-day training workshop where participants will be presented with an analysis of their results and have the opportunity to share experiences, discuss general results and make suggestions for future work. The workshop has a strong practical training element with 2 days dedicated to taxonomy lectures using live materials and microscopes for each attendee.

·       All the workshop lectures

·       A certificate of workshop attendance

·       A confidential statement of performance certificate for each analyst.

·       Final report and feedback

Please note that registration does not cover flights to and from the workshop, accommodation or meals during the workshop

Registration and Payment

If you wish to register for this intercomparison exercise, go to our dedicated website ( https://hab.ioc-unesco.org/ipi-home/ ). Registration is now open. https://otga.wufoo.com/forms/m1sf4rew165zqw7/

If you have problems registering through our website, please contact directly our IPI coordinator Margarita Fernández Tejedor (margarita.fernandez@irta.cat).

The administrator will need your laboratory name and address, number of analysts, Analysts’ full name and e-mail addresses.

Payment must be received before samples are shipped to the participating laboratories.

Payments can be made by bank transfer or credit card. Please ensure that your payment includes all bank charges incurred for transferring fees.

Please note: Custom payments or fees incurred on delivery and release of parcels are paid by the receiving laboratory.

Feedback survey

At the end of the course, you will be asked to fill out a feedback survey. This information will be used to improve future courses.

Cancellation policy

In the event of cancellation of the course by the OTGA or its affiliates, we will provide notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date. In the event of cancellation by the attendee, we should receive notification of cancellation at least 7 days prior to the course date.