Propose a new Workshop for 2026

We are now accepting proposals for our 2026 Workshops programme. We aim to be responsive to the community and open to novel initiatives, so if you have a new idea for a biological workshop that you feel would work well, please apply.

Applications to propose a new Workshop will close on 19 July 2024.

The Company of Biologists is committed to enabling sustainable event solutions and will be looking to run a number of Workshops virtually in the future. Please state clearly on your application if you wish to be considered for a virtual or hybrid Workshop.

Workshop proposals should take into account the following:

• The focus should be on cutting-edge scientific research in topic areas that are novel and not covered by traditional conferences.
• Proposals that concentrate on emerging or cross-disciplinary themes are particularly encouraged.
• Organisers should be experts in their field, or have sufficient standing to attract world-class speakers and attendees.
• Particularly strong postdoc and early-career researcher applications will be considered.
• An indication of how the Workshop will contribute to establishing new collaborations or research directions should be provided.
• Each Workshop will consist of 30 delegates including 20 speakers and 10 early-career researchers (places to be applied for). Proposers should ensure maximum diversity in the proposed attendee list.

As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We will undertake all of the logistical arrangements, liaise with the venue, organise speaker travel, assist with the programme construction and fund the meeting.

For virtual meetings we will manage all of the online requirements. We will provide software that allows for engaging and interactive presentations, as well as making space for the discussions that are such a key part of all of our Workshops.

Please email your completed application form to our Workshop Team. Proposals will be evaluated on scientific merit by the Workshop Committee. Proposals should include details of potential chairs and 20 speakers, an outline of the motivation for holding the Workshop on this theme, the programme plan and the anticipated outcome of the meeting.

Global South Workshop

In 2026 we will be continuing our efforts to diversify our Workshop programme so that we are able to support a wider selection of research communities around the world.

We will be reserving one of our Workshops for an application from a Global South (GS) country to host an event overseas. Our aim is to provide easier access for The Company of Biologists Workshops, bringing together world class scientists from home and abroad, and giving opportunities to local early-career researchers to attend.

Applications to propose a new Workshop will close on 19 July 2024.

For your application to qualify for this funding, you will need to be applying to host the Workshop in one of the GS countries listed here:

http://www.fc-ssc.org/en/partnership_program/south_south_countries *

We will also accept proposals from Mexico for this call.

To be successful, we will be looking for applications that include the following:

• At least one organiser who is based in host region to act as a local contact throughout
• Recommendations for a local venue to host the Workshop
• Recommendations for accommodation and food for all attendees
• An explanation of how this Workshop will benefit scientific research in your region
• The focus should be on cutting-edge scientific research in topic areas that are novel and not covered by traditional conferences
• Proposals that concentrate on emerging or cross-disciplinary themes are particularly encouraged
• Early-career researchers selected to attend should be predominantly from the region hosting the Workshop
• We limit successful attendees applications to one person per research group or lab

We typically expect organisers to be experts in their field, or have sufficient standing to attract world-class speakers and attendees. We envisage each Workshop consisting of 35 delegates including 15 speakers and 20 early-career researchers (places to be applied for). Proposers should ensure maximum diversity in the proposed attendee list.

N.B. We are open to applications which differ from our suggested guidelines. The committee will consider any application which they feel will benefit and support scientific communities in Global South regions.

As the scientific organiser, your involvement will be focused on the science. We will undertake most of the logistical arrangements, liaise with the venue, organise speaker travel and assist with the programme construction. We hope to work closely with our local contact to help put on the best possible Workshop for all of our attendees, so we would welcome any local knowledge and support to make the event a success. We may also require some assistance in finding local suppliers and technical support for the event in some cases.

The Workshop will be entirely funded by The Company of Biologists, including all accommodation, venue and travel costs throughout the event. We will also provide travel bursaries for qualifying early-career researchers to help them get to the Workshop.

* This is a list of countries with low-income or middle-income economies. The list is defined by the Finance Center for South-South Cooperation. Since 2017, FCSSC has been in Special Consultative Status with ECOSOC of the United Nations. We also accept proposals from Mexico.