Next generation scientists is for post-graduate researchers working towards a PhD, or for early career researchers who completed their PhD no more than five years ago.

Your research interests should align with the Aims and Scope of New Phytologist. 

Please note that delegates who have attended a previous New Phytologist next generation scientists symposium (in person) would generally not be eligible to attend as a delegate in person a second time. This rule is to ensure that as many early career scientists as possible can benefit from attending the symposium.

Please see the eligibility criteria in the terms and conditions for full details. 

To apply, you will need to provide 

In addition, you need to fill in the application form, which will ask for 5-10 keywords that describe your research interests, as well as what section of New Phytologist you feel your work most aligns to. Read about the sections. 

This is new for 2024 next generation scientists, and is optional. It allows applicants a bit more creativity when submitting their abstract.  It should be treated like a poster flash talk, and you can use it to to provide a short, concise overview of your research.  

You should film your video abstract, and then upload it to YouTube, Vimeo or TikTok. 

The application portal will then allow you to link to one of these video hosting services. Please ensure that your settings are such that anyone can access the video. 

If your video is longer than one minute, the reviewer will stop watching after one minute. 

If you provide this, one reviewer will watch your video, and one reviewer will review your written abstract.

Each applicant should submit their application themselves.  You will need to create an account using your email address to submit your application. 

Once you have an account, you can then complete the various parts of the application form and submit. 

Yes - you can save your application as a draft and return to it later to complete it.  The 'Save' button is at the top right, or bottom right of the application form. 

When you are ready to submit your application, click the green 'Complete' button to submit your application. Once you submit your application you will no longer be able to edit it.  

While we would prefer all reference letters to be uploaded with your application, if this isn't possible you or your referee can email the reference directly to us at np-symposia@lancaster.ac.uk.  We can accept references up to 12 noon EST on Friday Dec 8.  

When you submit your application, you will receive an automated email that will confirm your submission.  This email will come from no-reply@evessio.com.  

Please check your spam filter, if you do not receive confirmation.

If you still have not received confirmation, log into your account, and ensure that your application has been submitted, and not just saved.  

If after this, if you still have not received an email confirmation, please email np-symposia@lancaster.ac.uk for assistance. 

We are expecting a significant amount of interest in attending this event, and therefore it may take some time to review all applications.  We anticipate contacting successful candidates in early February 2024.  

Applications will be assessed by a combination of New Phytologist Foundation staff, New Phytologist Editors and Advisors, and the local organising committee.

A team of New Phytologist Editors and Advisors will assess the scientific merit and novelty of applicants' abstracts. Each abstract will be reviewed by at least two reviewers. This process will be anonymous and the reviewers will not see any information about the applicant's identity.

Applications will also be assessed based on the personal statement and reference.

A balance of attendees will be sought, including a range of eligible career stages, research interests, and geography.