New Phytologist next generation scientists 2024


5-8 June 2024

Duke University, Durham, NC, USA


New Phytologist next generation scientists meetings are free events with the unique aim to provide the next generation of plant scientists a chance to share their work with their peers and outstanding international scientists in a stimulating, supportive and exciting environment.

This event is exclusively for early career researchers, including graduate students and any researcher with up to five years’ experience since gaining/defending their PhD, excluding career breaks.        

Applications closed on 6 December 2023, and successful applicants have been informed in early February 2024. 

Most sessions will be streamed online, register to join online

Sign up to our early career mailing list for information about future events.

The 2025 next generation scientists meeting is expected to be held in the UK.



Why should you attend New Phytologist next generation scientists?

"It was a very refreshing kind of conference where you are highly encouraged to build networks and friendships with amazing peers and mentors from different scientific fields and institutions. In addition, the consultation sessions with mentors were very useful. Most advice was practical and realistic." – 2023 #npnextgen delegate.

"You can learn about the experiences of your peers and the science they are doing. Learning about cutting edge research carried out by your peers from different parts of the world and from a diverse array of topics in plant science, stimulates you to examine your own research from different angles. Also, the interactions may foster future collaborations." – Hector Montero, University of Würzburg, 2023 #npnextgen delegate

"It's a unique event to attend a conference where all other attendees are at a similar career stage. It's good that the conference is not solely focussed on the science but had more informative career sessions. Also as there are no joining fees etc. it is more accessible for those without much money available to attend." Fiona Jane White, University of Pavia – 2023 #npnextgen delegate.

“It was excellent to have a high concentration of ECRs at one conference. It was great to see how diverse our community is but also identify things that unify us. The scientific component was super high-calibre and the social dimension was also excellent. Overall I had a great time!” – Jamie Waterman, University of Bern, 2022 #npnextgen delegate

“NPNextGen really is an excellent way to meet inspiring people and also broaden your outlook on science. I think we get so wrapped up in our own field sometimes that we forget to look at other areas for inspiration and the bigger picture! I would 100% recommend this meeting.” – 2022 #npnextgen delegate

“I was stuck with my research and running out of inspiration. I feel recharged now. Secondly, we had some serious career related conversations that filled in most of my uncertainty thought gaps.” – Acheampong Atta-Boateng, University of Oxford, 2022 #npnextgen delegate