Attendance and application terms and conditions

Attendance at the symposium is by application. Applications will be assessed based on the suitability of the early career researcher’s research interests in plant science, linked to the aims and scope of New Phytologist.  This should be demonstrated in their personal statement and their letter of support from an established researcher. There are limited places to attend this symposium. We particularly encourage delegates from North and South America to apply to attend. 

All attendees will be expected to present a poster unless they are selected for a talk, in which case they would not be expected to also present a poster.

Eligibility criteria: 

Applications to attend are open to all plant science post-graduate researchers working towards a PhD, or for early career researchers who completed their PhD no more than five years ago.  The number of years of experience excludes career breaks and should be calculated back from the date of the symposium, therefore for the 2024 symposium, a candidate that has not had a career break should have completed their PhD after June 2019.

Eligibility is determined from the date that your PhD was passed/confirmed/gained, which may be the date of a successful thesis defence or the date that final corrections are accepted by your institution. This is not the date when your degree may have been officially presented/awarded/conferred in a graduation ceremony, as in many cases this could be significantly after the PhD was completed. 

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.

The decision of the organising committee on applicant selection is final.  The New Phytologist Foundation reserve the right to deny the application of any delegate.

Travel grant and accommodation stipulations

Travel grants will only be processed following the delegates’ attendance at the symposium.  Should a delegate be unable to attend, please note that the Foundation will not be able to process a travel grant. All delegates should ensure they have appropriate travel insurance to cover travel cancellation, and the Foundation will not be liable for any costs incurred by the delegate. 

Any delegate not attending the conference sessions may be asked to repay their accommodation costs. 

The New Phytologist Foundation celebrates diversity, and we expect participants in our meetings to be respectful, considerate and supportive of each other, to offer constructive critiques and embrace the variety of opinions on offer. New Phytologist next generation scientists 2024 is an opportunity to share, develop and broaden our viewpoints within a safe and inclusive setting. The New Phytologist Foundation has established a set of core principles that outline the standards expected of individuals involved in the Foundation’s activities, including symposia. We strive to treat all individuals with respect and promote a safe environment free from discrimination, harassment, and victimization.

• We respect the rights of all individuals to dignity, privacy and confidentiality and delegates must treat everyone with respect.
• We ask delegates to respect their fellow participants and ensure they undertake good practices for intercultural collaborations. Several tips for intercultural communication can be found at Commisceo Global and CHRYS.
• We ask that you remain mindful of your surroundings and respect the surroundings of your fellow participants.
• Do not share, copy, or reuse any materials presented by speakers unless this is expressly permitted.
• All delegates must ensure they respect the staff, rules and protocols of the meeting venue, accommodation, and online platform. This also includes protocols linked to COVID-19.

We will not tolerate behaviours that involve discrimination of individuals or groups on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, gender identity, age, religion, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Sexual harassment, bullying, intimidation, or harassment in any form will not be tolerated.

Any delegates that do not meet the expected respectful behaviour may be immediately removed from the online or physical meeting.

If you have any concerns or suggestions, please speak to the Events and Promotions Manager, Christine Phillips, the Executive Editor, Sarah Lennon, or one of the organising committee. Alternatively, you can email np-symposia@lancaster.ac.uk

We want to provide a safe environment for all of our delegates and will update COVID-19 protocols as necessary in the run-up to the symposium. The New Phytologist Foundation will be following all protocols issued at the national, local and host institution level. We will also enact additional best practice measures to ensure the safety of all participants as needed.

Additional measures may include:

• During the event, we may ask delegates to wear masks while indoors (unless exempt). Arrangements will be made to enable presenters to remove their masks safely while speaking.
• All delegates may be asked to confirm they have received a negative COVID-19 test taken within 2 days before arriving at the event.

Should an attendee test positive for COVID-19 after arriving / during the event, they should isolate in their room and inform the organisers by phone or email.

All delegates are encouraged to ensure that they have appropriate travel insurance with health care, COVID-19 and cancellation cover.

Further details regarding COVID-19 safety protocols will be confirmed to all in-person attendees in due course.

Filming and photography

Photography and filming will take place at New Phytologist next generation scientists 2024. 

The resulting photographs and video footage will be used by the New Phytologist Foundation for the purpose of outreach and promoting their activities and may be published on the New Phytologist Foundation’s website and social media channels.

By registering to take part in the meeting, you give consent for your likeness to appear in resulting photography and/or video. Please note that any recordings of presentations will only be shared with the express permission of the speaker.  

If you have any concerns, please contact the Events and Promotions Manager.

If a delegate is no longer able to attend, they should inform Christine Phillips, Events and Promotions Manager, immediately, and with at least 30 days’ notice. Any cancellations after this time may be charged for their accommodation if a replacement cannot be found.

Should circumstances beyond our control force the cancellation of the symposium, the New Phytologist Foundation is unable to accept liability for any additional costs incurred, including travel costs, and delegates are strongly encouraged to take out appropriate travel insurance to cover them in the event of cancellation.

The organisation of this symposium is led by the New Phytologist Foundation with support from Duke University. Relevant delegate and speaker information provided during registration and abstract submission will be shared between the two organisations and members of the local organising committee. 

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