Member Support for EBSA Conference 2026

Bruges, Belgium | 2-5 June 2026

The European Biosafety Association (EBSA) is pleased to announce the availability of support for eligible EBSA members to attend the EBSA Conference 2026 in Bruges, Belgium.

About the Conference

EBSA 2026 will take place from 2-5 June 2026 at the BMCC in Bruges, Belgium, with the theme "Weaving the Future of Biosafety." The event comprises:

• 2-3 June 2026: Preconference courses covering specialized biosafety and biosecurity topics
• 4-5 June 2026: Main conference featuring international speakers, poster sessions, and networking opportunities
• Welcome reception on 3 June 2026 (17:30-19:30)
• Conference dinner on 4 June 2026 (20:00-22:00)

Support Package

Financial support will cover:

• Registration for one selected preconference course (2-3 June 2026)
• Full conference registration (4-5 June 2026)
• Welcome reception attendance
• All catering throughout the conference (lunches, coffee breaks)
• Conference dinner attendance

Please note: Travel costs and accommodation expenses are NOT covered by this support package. Applicants must arrange and fund their own travel and lodging.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for financial support, applicants must meet ALL of the following mandatory requirements:

Mandatory Requirements

1. Current EBSA membership at the time of application
2. Active involvement in biosafety/biosecurity (e.g., position as biosafety professional, biological safety advisor, biosecurity specialist, safety advisor in biological sector)
3. Early career status OR recent career transition:
   • Early-career biosafety/biosecurity professional, OR
   • Made the transition to a biosafety/biosecurity career within the past two years
4. No recent EBSA financial support: Have not received EBSA financial support in recent years
5. Complete application submission before the published deadline

Additional Considerations

Preference may be given to applicants who:

• Lack institutional course and conference support
• Reside in or are affiliated with institutions in low- or middle-income countries

Application Requirements

Applications must be submitted through the online submission portal and include:

Required Information

1. 1. Personal and professional details, including:
      • Current position and institutional affiliation
      • EBSA membership number and status
      • Demonstration of how you meet the eligibility criteria
   2. Proposed role at the conference:
      • Conference attendee
      • Poster presenter
      • Speaker
      • Other engagement (please specify)Note: Applications demonstrating greater event engagement may be viewed more favorably.
   3. Justification for support, including:
      • Personal statement (maximum 300 words) outlining:
        • Your financial constraints
        • The importance of attending this conference for your professional development
        • How attendance aligns with your biosafety/biosecurity career goals
        • Your anticipated contributions to the conference and EBSA community
   4. Preferred preconference course selection (from available courses listed on the EBSA website)

Selection Process

Initial Review

The EBSA Administration Office will conduct an initial screening to verify:

• Application completeness
• Eligibility requirements
• EBSA membership status

Assessment Panel

A panel of three EBSA Council members (including the President and/or Treasurer) will evaluate eligible applications based on:

1. Relevance of the applicant's professional role to the conference themes and EBSA membership
2. Financial need
3. Geographic and institutional diversity to enhance participation from underrepresented regions
4. Alignment with EBSA goals, particularly promoting biosafety in underrepresented areas
5. Anticipated level of engagement at the conference
6. Priority to first-time applicants or those who have not previously benefited from similar support schemes

Award Decisions

• Up to four applicants may be granted support
• Decisions will be made within two weeks of the application deadline
• All applicants will be notified via email of the outcome

Application Deadline

Applications must be submitted by 13.00 CET Friday 10th April 2026.
Late or incomplete applications will not be considered.

Obligations of Award Recipients

Engagement Requirements

Recipients of financial support may be asked to:

• Meet with EBSA Council or representatives during the conference to discuss the support process and its benefits
• Participate in limited publicity activities (e.g., photographs for EBSA newsletters or website)

Recipients should not presume these activities will definitely be required, and EBSA will respect applicants' wishes regarding publicity participation.

Important Conditions

• Support is awarded on the understanding that recipients will attend the full conference programme
• Recipients unable to attend must notify EBSA immediately
• Only applications received through this formal process will be considered—ad hoc and unsolicited requests will not be entertained