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SMBE 2026

Abstract Submission

abstract

Submitting an abstract

Here is an overview of the abstract submission. 

Length and words: The abstract must be submitted in English and should be less than 250 words long. It is possible to add images.

Presentation types: During the abstract submission you must choose your preferred presentation type. Please note that you abstract might be accepted as another presentation type than preferred.

  • Oral presentation (12 minutes presentation + 3 minutes for questions)     
  • Oral flash presentation (3 minutes presentation + 2 minutes for questions)
  • Poster presentation (Poster visible for 1 full conference day incl. a poster presentation session)

Keywords: 2–5 keywords should be chosen

Submission categories: Upon submission of abstracts for oral or flash presentations, please indicate whether they should be considered for any of the thematic symposia (see list here). If none, please choose ‘Open sessions’.

Review: Abstracts are reviewed principally by the organisers of the symposia that you choose to submit your abstract into.

Please note:

  • Once the abstract is submitted, there is no option for editing, so carefully read it through, before finalising the submission.
  • Presenting authors are limited to one presentation (oral or poster). An exception applies to the two below symposia, where one additional presentation is allowed.
    • IDEA Symposium: Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Molecular Biology and Evolution
    • L5 The role and responsibilities of the SMBE community in facing the polycrisis
  • Although the conference will be live streamed and recorded for view on demand, presentations are expected to be given in person from Copenhagen.

Please read the submission conditions below, before finalizing the abstract submission.

Submit your abstract here

Important Dates

1 December 2025

Abstract submission & Award application opens

3 February 2026

Abstract submission & Award application Closes

2 March 2026

Abstract & Award notification

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Submission conditions

  1. Abstracts are required for all oral presentations and posters.
  2. Abstracts must be submitted in English.
  3. Abstracts must be submitted by February 3rd, 2026, 23:59 CET. 
  4. As indicated above, no more than 1 abstract can be submitted for any presenting author.
  5. Accepted abstracts may be published on the conference website and in the conference app. By submitting an abstract, you consent to giving SMBE permission to share you abstract in the before mention locations.
  6. Withdrawal of abstracts can only be accepted if notified in writing and subsequently confirmed by the SMBE 2026 Secretariat.
  1. The presenting author must register as a participant for the full conference by the deadline informed in the acceptance e-mail
  2. Failure to register will be regarded as an automatic withdrawal of your abstract. Otherwise withdrawal of an abstract can only be made by writing to the SMBE 2026 Secretariat – see item A.6 above.
  3. SMBE reserves the right to exclude any abstract from the scientific programme that is not followed by a participant registration.
  4. Presenting authors are limited to one presentation (oral or poster).
  5. An exception applies to the two below symposia, where one additional presentation is allowed.
    • IDEA Symposium: Advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility in Molecular Biology and Evolution
    • L5 The role and responsibilities of the SMBE community in facing the polycrisis
  6. NB! The presenting author does not have to be the 1st author. 
  7. The conference is live streamed and recorded for view on demand) – it is not possible to present online.
  8.  
  1. The abstract word limit is max. 250 words per abstract excl. title, authors and affiliations.
  2. The title should be as brief as possible but long enough to clearly indicate the nature of the study.
  3. You will be asked to enter the name(s) of author(s) and their institution(s), when you submit your abstract.
  4. Abbreviations should only be used for common terms. For uncommon terms, the abbreviation should be given in brackets after the first full use.
  1. All abstracts are reviewed by the SMBE 2026 Symposia organisers.
  2. The abstract will be reviewed through an open review process.
  3. Acceptance or rejection of the abstract will be sent to the submitter ca. March 2nd, 2026.
  4. It is the responsibility of all submitters that all studies are performed with respect to national legislation, international legislation and ethical guidelines both with regards to humans and animals. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to reject any submitted abstract that is believed to violate these principles.
  5. Please verify that your email address (submitter and presenting author) is correct as it will be used for contacting you after the review process.
  6. The Scientific Committee reserves the right not to give detailed information as to why an abstract is rejected. 
Questions regarding abstract submission

For all enquiries regarding abstracts and speakers, please contact the Mille Skovbjerg at ms@cap-partner.eu (SMBE 2026 Secretariat, CAP Partner, Conference Manager)

Awards

Applying for awards

Award Application during Abstract Submission

SMBE Awards require SMBE membership at application (3 years costs only $10 for students, $30 for others).  Apply for membership here. 

If you choose to apply for any of these awards, please ensure that you visit the SMBE website to review the detailed application criteria here. During the abstract submission, there is option to indicate whether you would like to apply for one or more of the following awards from SMBE. 

Graduate Student Excellence Award

The SMBE Graduate Student Excellence Award honors the best presentation at the Graduate Student Excellence symposium, which provides a forum for young investigators to showcase their exemplary research at the annual meeting.

Application

  • Indicate that you wish to apply during the abstract submission
  • Requires abstract and CV (CV upload below)
Upload CV here for the Graduate Student Excellence Award application
Young Investigator Travel Award

The Young Investigator Travel Award provides support for young researchers (postdoctoral researchers and graduate students) to attend SMBE2025.

Application

  • Indicate that you wish to apply during the abstract submission
  • Requires abstract and CV (CV upload below)
Upload CV here for the Young Investigator Travel Award application
Undergraduate Travel and Mentoring Award

The Undergraduate Mentorship Award provides support, advice and networking opportunities for undergraduate students (including Masters students under a 3+2 system) as they navigate their first international conference.

Application

  • Indicate that you wish to apply during the abstract submission
  • Requires abstract, short, motivated text (250 words) and a short letter of support (250 words). To be collected later (January).
Caregiver Award

Open to members with expenses for the care of children or dependent adults (including adult children with a disability or elderly relatives) during their attendance at SMBE2026.

Application

  • Caregiver awards can be applied via SMBE on the below link. 
Apply for the Caregiver Award
Best Graduate Student Paper Awards for MBE and GBE

This award is decided by nomination and a panel of judges during the conference, respectively.