This document is intended as a guide for IUPHAR member societies that have expressed an interest in submitting a formal bid to host a World Congress of Pharmacology (WCP) on behalf of IUPHAR. The document details the requirements for the organization of a WCP congress and the respective roles of IUPHAR and the host. It is essential that a potential congress host fully understand both the administrative and financial responsibilities so that time and effort are not wasted on the preparation of an unsuccessful bid. This document also outlines the voting procedures for determining the host society for World Congresses of Pharmacology.  The procedures described in this document have been developed as best working practices from past WCP congresses and form the basis for the organization of future congresses.