Call for Side Events during 2026 Annual Meeting
The Global Research Council invites proposals for Side Events to the 2026 Annual Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand (18–22 May).
On behalf of the co-hosts of the 2026 GRC Annual Meeting, Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), the GRC Executive Secretariat is inviting GRC participant organisations to submit proposals for side events. The Annual Meeting takes place from 18–22 May 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand. Dates available for side events are 18 and 19 May 2026.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: 17 January 2026
Background
Side events are workshops or round-table discussions that are organised on the sidelines of the GRC Annual Meeting. They are separate events from the Annual Meeting and are therefore not part of the main programme. All GRC participating organisations are invited to the side events and they may also be opened to other guests. Participation in the main GRC Annual Meeting and the Regional Meetings is by invitation only and targets a reduced circle of participants.
Topics
Priorities are given to side events that complement the topics of the current GRC cycle: ‘Reframing Inclusive and Equitable Open Science for Sustainable Development’” and ‘Research for Sustainable Communities’, or that align to the 2027 topic ‘Fostering Curiosity-Driven Research: The Role of Public Funders’. The potential interest of the event among GRC participants and the wider international community should also be considered.
Logistics
The proposing organisations are responsible for organising the side event, which includes:
- Preparing the agenda and a concept note
- Confirming speakers
- Providing banners, printed material and give-aways, if required
- Reporting on the side event
The Annual Meeting hosts are responsible for providing:
- Rooms
- Technical infrastructure
- Meeting links for virtual attendance
- Participation management (such as a registration platform)
- Reception desk and name tags
Application requirements
Only GRC participating organisations are invited to submit proposals to host a side event. Active collaboration with external partners is encouraged (for example as speakers, panelists). Organisations interested in hosting a side event are strongly encouraged to liaise with other GRC participating organisations on the possibility of merging proposals.
To propose a side event to the 2026 Annual Meeting, please complete the application form and email it to grc@ukri.org by no later than 17 January 2026.
The approved side events will be communicated late February/early March 2026 by the Executive Secretariat. Approval of proposals will take into account the limited number of available slots, with every effort made to accommodate all suitable submissions.
For further information, please email the GRC Executive Secretariat Management Team at grc@ukri.org.