submit a proposal by 25 february 2026.

call for proposals

The ISSCR invites student and postdoc members to organize Science Spotlight sessions at the 2026 Annual Meeting. These sessions should showcase emerging scientific topics and recent developments not already featured in the program. The ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting Program Committee will review and select up to five proposals to present at the Annual Meeting.

    • The call for proposals is open from October 2025 to 25 February 2026.  

    • Notifications for decisions will be shared by 10 March 2026. 

    • Confirmed session agenda details and speakers are due to the ISSCR by 26 March 2026.

    • The lead organizer(s) of an ISSCR Science Spotlight Session must maintain a student or postdoc membership status with up-to-date payment of membership dues. Organizers from both academic and industrial backgrounds are welcome.  

    • Sessions should be organized by individuals in their personal capacity, not on behalf of companies or institutions. However, the ISSCR retains the right to procure sponsoring companies or institutions for science spotlight sessions. If organizers have a potential sponsor in mind, please share the recommended company with the ISSCR at sdu@isscr.org.  

    • Organizers are required to attend the ISSCR 2026 Annual Meeting in person and understand that it is their sole responsibility to manage the session and coordinate with speakers onsite.  

  • Session topics should complement and enrich the existing Annual Meeting program. Please explore the plenary or concurrent track topics to avoid duplication. A more focused exploration of topics presented in existing sessions is permitted. In addition to science-focused sessions, we invite proposals on ethical, political, and regulatory discussions, professional development workshops, or any topics of interest to the ISSCR community. 

    • Sessions are intended to highlight early career scientists, though mid- to senior-level presenters may also be included.  

    • Gender and geographic diversity are required in all programs.   

    • Programs centered around one lab, department, company, or institution are not permitted. 

    • Speakers from companies are welcome, provided they present substantial scientific data without focusing on promoting a product or service.   

    • All speakers must be able to present live during the designated program time.    

    • Any changes to the program or speakers from the original submission must be reviewed and approved by ISSCR.  

    • Organizers must ensure that the speakers are planning on attending the Annual Meeting. 

    • Speakers and Organizers must pay for their own meeting registration and travel funds. The ISSCR will not reimburse these expenses. 

    • Organizers are strongly encouraged to select speakers who are not already presenting in ISSCR-organized sessions (i.e., plenary and track concurrent sessions) at the Annual Meeting.  

    • If speakers are presenting in other sessions, the presentations must be unique.  

    • Speakers listed in the application should be informed and tentatively confirmed. Organizers must confirm the participation of all speakers after notification of an accepted application by 26 March 2026.  

    • Organizers have the flexibility in structuring the 60 or 90-minute session, including the number of speakers, talk lengths, and format, as long as the format adheres to the standard room setup for all ISSCR Annual Meeting sessions.  

    • The standard room setup is: theater seating, projector and screen, lectern with one (1) microphone for presenters, one (1) head table with two (2) seats, one (1) wired microphone set at the head table, one (1) aisle microphone in stands for audience questions, confidence monitor, and speaker timer. 

    • All presentations must be in person. Virtual presentations cannot be accommodated. The sessions will not be live-streamed but audio and slides will be recorded and made available on demand following the Annual Meeting.   

  • ISSCR staff will support the session by:   

    • Marketing session information on the ISSCR Annual Meeting website, the online meeting agenda, and the event mobile app.  

    • Providing speakers with instructions for presentations (acceptable formats, Speaker Ready Room hours, etc.)  

    • Confirming the date/time slot, assigned room, audio visual and room set in the venue. 

how to submit a proposal

Click the button below to access the Science Spotlight Application Form. Proposals are due by 11:59 PM ET (USA), on 25 February 2026. 

Questions? Contact Shuangshuang Du, sdu@isscr.org.  

hear from a previous science spotlight organizer

Matthew Dominguez
Gladstone Institutes, USA

Lead Organizer of an ISSCR 2025 Science Spotlight session

How did you learn about Science Spotlight sessions, and what inspired you to organize one?

I heard about the spotlight sessions through my mentor who hosted her own session a few years ago. I initially wanted to just present a poster but she encouraged me to aim for more and organize my own session.

What was the planning process like? How did you put together the program?

As an intern, a lot of the planning fell to my mentor. She knew who to talk to, so finding speakers was thanks to her. From there she allowed me to handle the rest of the planning which consisted of emails, drafting scripts and introductions,  and coordinating speaker times and lineups. 

What advice would you give to others interested in organizing one at the 2026 Annual Meeting?

Stay on top of your deadlines and always be prepared! I had a few speakers pull out from the talk, so finding or having alternates in mind is crucial. But more importantly, have fun!