About New Phytologist Symposia
The internationally renowned series of New Phytologist Symposia aims to support emerging and key areas of research. Usually, these meetings would be expected to extend over one to three days with approximately with invited speakers, speakers and around 120–150 attendees. Selected speakers and poster presenters are chosen from submitted abstracts. We hope to provide an informal atmosphere for the stimulation and exchange of ideas and the building of collaborations. We particularly encourage the involvement of early career researchers and as such a number of travel grants will be awarded in association with each meeting. The Foundation generally supports two New Phytologist Symposia each year, as well as other meetings and workshops.
2028 proposals
We aim to rotate the topics of New Phytologist Symposia across the five sections of New Phytologist and topics may also encompass the scope of Plants, People, Planet. For symposia to be held in 2028 we particularly encourage topics that will be of interest to New Phytologist’s Environment and Interaction sections, however, we welcome topics in other areas and those that have broad appeal.
Please see the list of currently announced symposia topics
Initial proposals are assessed and shortlisted by journal Editors according to the timeline below. If your topic is shortlisted, The New Phytologist Foundation staff will work with the proposed organising committee to develop fuller proposals, including confirming the list of speakers, and the programme. At the initial proposal stage (deadline 9 March 2026), we require only brief outlines and themes – it is not necessary to provide a full list of suggested speakers, or a date/venue, however, suggestions of venues/locations may be indicated at this stage.
Timeline
9 March 2026 – initial proposal deadline
March–May 2026 – assessment of initial proposals by journal Editors
May 2026 – confirmation of shortlisted proposals, and feedback
May–November 2026. Shortlisted proposals topics to be fully costed/developed
November 2026 – final confirmation of symposia topics and funding for 2028 by New Phytologist Foundation Trustees.
A call for 2029 symposia proposals will open in November 2026
Instructions to submit a proposal
We are using the online portal Oxford Abstracts to collect proposals for future symposia. To submit, please click on the button above to go to the submission portal. If you do not already have an Oxford Abstract account, you will need to create a free account.
On the portal you'll be asked for the following details
Names and affiliations of the proposed organising committee.
Topic or draft title.
What section(s) of New Phytologist and or Plants, People, Planet the proposal would interest.
Rationale and scope of the proposal.
Goal of the symposium
Beneficial outcomes
Suggested venue (optional)
Additional details (optional), which may include a draft list of speakers or in additional support available.
You can save your proposal on the portal, and then return to edit your proposal until the deadline of 9 March 2026.
Logistical information
Funding and support
The New Phytologist Foundation supports the organisation of symposia by providing dedicated funds and full administrative support including budget management, venue management, delegate registration, abstract submission, and delegates/speaker management. This is provided by the Events and Promotions Manager and other Foundation staff.
The financial support provided by the Foundation aims to cover the costs of speaker travel and accommodation, travel grants and fee waivers, as well as some venue costs. The remaining costs, including catering costs are recouped via delegate fees. We welcome suggestions of academic venues where room hire may be free, or low cost/subsidised. Potential host Institutions are welcome to propose additional funding, or in-kind support, however, this is not mandatory.
Organising committee responsibilities
The organising committee of New Phytologist Symposia are responsible for the scientific programme and direction of the meeting, including developing the focus and rationale for the symposium, session themes and speaker list as well as reviewing submitted abstracts and travel grant applications. We also encourage the committee to consider potential publishing outcomes, for example to produce a journal special collection.
We strongly recommend that at least one member of the organising committee is local to the suggested symposium location/venue, as they will be called upon to assist with local logistical matters, with full support from the Foundation. While we aim to take on a significant amount of the administrative work, there will be some local administrative/logistical support needed, and local organisers should ensure they have the support of their institution to undertake this responsibility.
If you have any questions about submitting a topic, please get in touch with The New Phytologist Foundation at np-symposia@lancaster.ac.uk.