IFSM Young Scientist Assembly (YSA/ECR)

The IFSM Young Scientist Assembly (YSA/ECR) brings together 50 early-career scientists recognised for their achievements and the quality of their IMC21 abstract submissions.  The YSA/ECR programme also features a prestigious image contest, recognising scientifically stunning images from participants, with the images being on prominent display in the YSA/ECR venue and a winner being announced at the YSA/ECR dinner.

YSA/ECR attendees will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in round-table discussions with IMC21 plenary speakers, including Q&A sessions.
• Connect with discipline leaders to discuss career planning and development.
• Network with fellow early-career researchers and future leaders.

The YSA/ECR programme includes an excursion and dinner on Saturday 29 August 2026, followed by a full-day meeting on Sunday 30 August 2026.

This programme is open to all Ph.D. students and researchers who have completed their degree within the five years previous to IMC21 (ie after August 2021). Please note that at least one of your abstracts must be accepted into the IMC21 Congress Programme in order for you to be included in this programme.  You must be the first author/presenter of the accepted abstract.

Key Dates 

How to apply for the IFSM Young Scientist Assembly (YSA/ECR)

Abstract submission is through Oxford Abstracts.  Applications for the YSA/ECR programme will not be accepted without an abstract submission.  During the abstract submission process you will be asked if you would like to apply for the Young Scientist Assembly programme (YSA/ECR). Once you have said yes, you will then be asked to do the following:

• Submit an image for the image contest, you will need to supply:
  • Image title
  • Brief image description (research objective, material information, sampling method, imaging techniques, magnification, digital modifications, scientific results, etc. The description of the image should be kept brief, ideally no more than 200 words.)
  • Image credit 
  • Image file:
    • max 10MB
    • the image should be captured in the course of scientific experiment or research.
    • one image per applicant.
    • video clips are not accepted.
    • It must be an original and unpublished image taken by the authors.
    • All images will be printed at 841mm (high) x 594 mm (wide) (A1 size). 
  • Image Poster PDF - includes the image title, the image description (see above), the image credits and the image itself - please see example to the right
  • CV (one page, PDF)
  • Letter of recommendation of supervisor(s) (one page, PDF)

You can log back into the Oxford Abstracts IMC21 dashboard at any time to edit and add to your abstract and YSA/ECR submission (up until the submission deadline).

Once abstract submission has closed, you will not be able to edit your abstract nor your YSA/ECR submission. If you want to submit more than one abstract, there is no need to re-apply for the YSA/ECR programme.

Following review, you will receive an email informing you of whether your abstract has been accepted, and whether you have been accepted on the YSA/ECR programme.

Successful applicants will receive:

• Attendance to the YSA/ECR dinner being held on Saturday 29 August.
• Attendance to the YSA/ECR meeting being held on Sunday 30 August.
• Free registration - Early Bird fees (via discount code provided).
• One night’s accommodation (including breakfast) on Saturday 29 August.
• Attendance to the IMC21 Congress Welcome Reception on Sunday 30 August.
• The winning image from the image contest will be published in the Journal of Microscopy.

IFSM Young Scientist Assembly (YSA/ECR) Enquiries 

Kate Wooding

Events & Outreach Manager

[email protected]
+44 (0) 1865 254761

Contact Kate for Outreach committee queries, Diploma queries, RMS Events and mmc Series Conference queries.