General Guidelines for Organizing the International ISPR Conference

The conference runs for five days, opening on Sunday afternoon or evening and closing on Friday at lunchtime. It is expected to foster high scientific quality, inclusivity, and opportunities for exchange across the photosynthesis research community.

Plenary Lectures

A total of 12 plenary lectures will be scheduled. Plenary lectures are held in dedicated plenary sessions with no parallel activities.

Nine plenary speakers are to be invited by the organizers, and three will be the society’s prize winners.

Plenary lectures should be delivered by scientists who have made outstanding and lasting contributions to the field, or by leading experts from related disciplines whose work offers significant conceptual or technological insights.

The selection should ensure broad coverage of topics as well as diversity in gender and geography.

Symposia and Parallel Sessions

The scientific program will include parallel sessions, typically three, and in some cases four, running concurrently.

The program will consist of approximately 28 symposia, each with one or two invited speakers, and the remaining presentations selected from submitted abstracts.

The structure, timing, and format of all symposia must be identical, to allow participants to move freely between sessions.

Session chairs may propose invited speakers, but the organizing committee must verify that no participant is invited to speak more than once during the conference.

No participant may deliver more than one oral presentation.

Abstract-based oral contributions should be chosen by the session chairs in consultation with the scientific committee, ensuring high scientific quality, topic balance, and fair representation across the community.

Poster Sessions

Posters are a central and valued component of the conference. All posters should remain on display throughout the entire meeting to promote continuous discussion and visibility.

At least two dedicated poster sessions without competing oral sessions should be scheduled to maximize interaction.

Organization and Oversight

The Conference Chair will act as the main scientific organizer and is invited to serve as Guest Editor of a special issue in Photosynthesis Research, inviting the plenary speakers to contribute review or perspective articles.

The Past President of ISPR will assist the organizers in the planning and coordination of the conference program.

The Scientific Committee ensures the overall balance of the program, approves the final list of invited and plenary speakers, and supports the abstract review process.

The Local Organizing Committee is responsible for logistical aspects, including the venue, registration, accommodation, and local sponsorship.

Finances

Organizers considering submitting a bid are encouraged to contact the ISPR Board early in the planning process to discuss financial expectations and support mechanisms. While ISPR aims to support and promote all regional and international meetings, it is essential that proposed meetings adhere to the society’s financial principles and profit-sharing policies. Further guidance, including sample fee structures and budgeting strategies, can be made available upon request.